Body work costs to replace passenger fender question.
#1
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Body work costs to replace passenger fender question.
I am not all that familiar with how c3s are put together. The car needs a passenger fender. Is that something that has to be Installed and fiberglassed or is it something I can repair myself?
If I have a body shop do it does anyone know approx labor hours and cost for repairs? I know the fender and inner fender are going to run about $800. I am trying to see if I can get that repaired and have the car repainted for under $4000.
Thanks.
If I have a body shop do it does anyone know approx labor hours and cost for repairs? I know the fender and inner fender are going to run about $800. I am trying to see if I can get that repaired and have the car repainted for under $4000.
Thanks.
#2
Former Vendor
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I don't have the car yet I should be picking it up tomorrow morning. The current owner says it is broken from the bonding strip down. From what I can see in pictures that looks to be accurate. I figure replacing the whole fender would be better than trying to just repair the damaged section. It may need a new front bumper too, but I can't really tell yet.
#3
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Hi WV,
I believe you'll find that replacing the fender from the bonding strip down will be much less involved.
Repairing the apron/wheel-well may be a problem or maybe not... depends on just what it needs.
The outer flange on the apron/wheel-well is bonded to the inside of the fender. There is a long, narrow (couple of inches wide) bonding strip that is bonded behind the seam for strength. It remains visible even in un-hit cars
Here's a picture to give you an idea where the bonding is.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you'll find that replacing the fender from the bonding strip down will be much less involved.
Repairing the apron/wheel-well may be a problem or maybe not... depends on just what it needs.
The outer flange on the apron/wheel-well is bonded to the inside of the fender. There is a long, narrow (couple of inches wide) bonding strip that is bonded behind the seam for strength. It remains visible even in un-hit cars
Here's a picture to give you an idea where the bonding is.
Regards,
Alan
#4
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
This is the damage.
Guessing the following
Fender $429.99
Fender liner $389.99
Bonding strips $250
Front grille $500 used
Misc other broken stuff $500
Just shy of $2000 if I do everything myself...thoughts? The car isn't even numbers matching. Asking $7000.
#5
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#7
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Hi WV,
I posted that picture because you hadn't said what part of the fender had been hit. I was guessing!
You started out by saying you weren't all that familiar with a 69 body, but obviously you are familiar.
I deleted my first reply after posting it and now realize I should have stopped right there.
Regards,
Alan
I posted that picture because you hadn't said what part of the fender had been hit. I was guessing!
You started out by saying you weren't all that familiar with a 69 body, but obviously you are familiar.
I deleted my first reply after posting it and now realize I should have stopped right there.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by WildVettes; 12-26-2012 at 10:17 AM.
#8
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Yeah and the rest of the paint isn't perfect so it makes little sense to repaint just that section. Which puts me closer to $5000. The issues don't end there as there are guages out too and everything is worn. I know from having a C4 Corvette that replacing parts can easily outpace the car's value. Thanks for the input.
#9
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
C3s I have barely seen from a distance for the most part.
Last edited by WildVettes; 12-26-2012 at 10:24 AM.
#10
From your second and most recent posts, it sounds like you haven't seen this car in person. Have you seen it yet, or just going by the pics and owner's opinion? Most of the time you will find that their is a great deal more work involved in repairs on older cars as seller's will often understate repairs needed in order to try and sell the car. Their could be a lot more work than just that front fender, bodywise.
#12
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
From your second and most recent posts, it sounds like you haven't seen this car in person. Have you seen it yet, or just going by the pics and owner's opinion? Most of the time you will find that their is a great deal more work involved in repairs on older cars as seller's will often understate repairs needed in order to try and sell the car. Their could be a lot more work than just that front fender, bodywise.
That is why I am abandoning my 71 Monte Carlo project. The previous owner had installed a trunk liner and "forgot" to tell me the vinyl top had leaked and pretty much destroyed the back half of the roof and window. With Montes the aftermarket sheetmetal availability sucks so it needs a donor car. Too much hassle for a $15, 000 when fully restored car.
I have been looking for a 67-73 muscle car at or below the value of my 02 Vert. I have had precious few metal bumper C3s and this was only a long shot. I could go out and spend $50k on a perfect big block car but I would have to pass on my C7 which I am not going to do.
I am also very familiar with the extremely high cost of replacement parts. My C4 was $1500 for carpet and two door panels on a car worth maybe $9000. With A C3 I have a little more room to play but since it is $800 for a bumper grille I am guessing the part's cost just scales. I am sure I could purchase parts at wholesale which will help but it is still an expensive project.
That is why I come and ask current owners for advice. I certainly would not have thought it was $800 for a grille. I sell full length USA stainless steel grilles for C5s and C6s that TOP at $500. Yet two for a C3 are well over $1000.
You guys know which parts are extremely expensive for your cars which is why I am here. Thank you for those helping me.
Last edited by WildVettes; 12-26-2012 at 11:05 AM.
#13
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#14
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I offered him $6000. With a $10, 000 buffer to finish the car to decent daily driver status I think I would be OK. I have not heard back so it is probably a no go. I just missed out on a 68 Lemans BB, a 71 Camaro, and a 69 Goat. If this car doesn't work out something will eventually.
#16
Melting Slicks
you really dont even need a full fender, and the skirt is probably repairable. Graft in the front of the fender, repair the skirt and then all the little nuts and bolts that are there. The big question is the state of the front bumper, lower valence, and the frame extensions on that side where the bumper mounts. Plus the lower front grill and blinker assembly. That right hand side is pricey. I don't know what makes it more special than the left but there is a price difference. Any better pics from the owner like of the car front on or anything? $6300 would be hard to turn down.
Sully
Sully
#17
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
you really dont even need a full fender, and the skirt is probably repairable. Graft in the front of the fender, repair the skirt and then all the little nuts and bolts that are there. The big question is the state of the front bumper, lower valence, and the frame extensions on that side where the bumper mounts. Plus the lower front grill and blinker assembly. That right hand side is pricey. I don't know what makes it more special than the left but there is a price difference. Any better pics from the owner like of the car front on or anything? $6300 would be hard to turn down.
Sully
Sully
#18
Le Mans Master
I would skip this one, Sell the Monte and '02, and use the money to buy a car that isn;t a project.
#19
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
I can't get a really good C3 that isn't worn out within a $16,000 budget. I will make sure I check everything on this one before spending money on it to make sure I can stay in budget.
I think I could make this a pretty nice driver for $10000.00. Hopefully anyway.
#20
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Not perfect by any stretch but she is definitely home. Starts right up. Shifts as she should. Clutch is tight but good (guessing that is how clutches were 40 years ago).
Looks like a solid starting point. I am guessing an original 4 speed A/C car but she was painted white with a BB hood. Guessing the hood is a replacement because who would replace a Big block with a 79' 350? The tach is 5500 so I know it wasn't an LT1 car.
Still not sure what route I will go with the drivetrain. We will have to see where $$$ is at after getting her into good DD shape.
I have always been a metal bumpers fan.
The damage was caused from hitting a coyote allegedly. The valance and most likely both grilles will need to be replaced. Wheel well actually looks like it may be OK. Front bumper is still good. Doesn't look like any structural damage.
I will get pics up when I get her apart to repair. Far from perfect but for $6300 for a metal bumper C3 I think I did OK.
Looks like a solid starting point. I am guessing an original 4 speed A/C car but she was painted white with a BB hood. Guessing the hood is a replacement because who would replace a Big block with a 79' 350? The tach is 5500 so I know it wasn't an LT1 car.
Still not sure what route I will go with the drivetrain. We will have to see where $$$ is at after getting her into good DD shape.
I have always been a metal bumpers fan.
The damage was caused from hitting a coyote allegedly. The valance and most likely both grilles will need to be replaced. Wheel well actually looks like it may be OK. Front bumper is still good. Doesn't look like any structural damage.
I will get pics up when I get her apart to repair. Far from perfect but for $6300 for a metal bumper C3 I think I did OK.