Ben Duncan was telling me about a chap who was hit in the rear a while ago his brake rod went into his petrol tank and there was one hell of a blaze . He was able to get out and run but the car was a right off . Ben fitted a metal plate over that area on my petrol tank .
Have done likewise, JTL. A very quick job while I was replacing the rear suspension. May not be bullet proof but suspect it would help in the event of a rear-ender!

Neil.