0WildVettes

I went to start the C3 today in reverse which I always do in my C5s and C6s. Lesson learned is that is not a good idea. I always disregarded that info because I have been doing it for years in newer cars without issue. Never again. Oh well, long story short I can't tell if the bumpers are bent although I was probably going to replace them anyway. The driver's side got a couple of fine spider cracks and some of the white paint chipped off exposing the factory green. Doesn't seem like a big deal. The passenger side completely ripped the bumper bolt out around the bumper groove. So there is about a 2 inch by 1 inch hole where the bumper hole used to be.

Repairable or do I need a rear fender now too?


What a morning. I am going to check with Statefarm in the morning. The car has only been here a few days but I have insurance for accidents. I pay them almost $1000 a month and haven't had a chargeable accident in 12 years. Hopefully the don't try to raise rates or total the car over something stupid.

Live and learn. This was a good car to learn that lesson in since it wasn't too cherry to begin with. I would have been pretty upset to do that in a C3 I paid $30,000+ for.

vettebuyer6369

$1k a month!

0WildVettes

7 cars, 1 boat, 3 motorcycles, 2 homeowners policies, 2 life insurance policies, a personal articles policy, and a 2 million liability umbrella. We want to pay less but quotes we have received have been even higher

540 vette

Thats what it goes for in Cali, NY and other metro areas. This ain't Kansas Toto.

Paul L

You didn't push in the clutch?

0WildVettes

Of course I did. The only thing I can come up with is I didn't push it far enough in. The clutch and ebrake were both in use. Obviously my fault any way you cut it.

BBCorv70

He shouldn't have been able to start it without pushing in the clutch. Sounds like Bubba may have bypassed the safety switch?

johnt365

That is EXACTLY what I said yesterday too! For me, I pull my daily driver onto the street so I can take my Vette for a drive. I parked the Vette on the street behind this car for about 10 minutes to make an adjustment then went for a ride. Right after I got back, this happened.

I can't even conjure the thought of the emotions I would feel if this had happened to my Corvette.

0WildVettes

Well in my case I just sat there in awe at doing something so stupid. Then I got the courage to check the damage. I thought it would be much worse. If it wasn't for the fact that the stupid bumper is mounted straight to fiberglass it would have been fine. There should have been another metal bracket attachment point on that side like there is for the two rear mounting points. I am sure this type of damage was VERY common.

Eric Voigt

As Bulushi said in "Animal House....hey,you screwed up, time to start drinking".

Dude, you're having a bad day, I feel for you. We've all done stupid things. The car can be fixed. Be thankful the kids we not back there.....

johnt365

That is very very true.

0WildVettes

True story.

On an upside she fires right up

0WildVettes

Hello all,

I posted photos of the damage.

Can you give me a list of supplies and tools I am going to need for repairs to my car? Anywhere I can start for help on the process for each repair? Thanks.

gbvette62

The damage I see is pretty typical of what is found on a lot of 68-73 rear ends, as well as 63-67 Corvettes. A lot of those cars have been bumped over the years, resulting in similar damage.

It doesn't appear bad to me. I wouldn't replace the fender, as you should be able to repair it with resin and mat. If it really bothers you, I'm sure that one of the vendors who deal in used parts, could supply you with that section of the quarter panel.

You may want to check the bumper brackets, to make sure they're not bent. I doubt they are, it doesn't look like that hard of a hit, but it's still worth checking them.

If your buying new bumpers, do it before you paint the car. You really want to fit them to the body as your repairing it. They can vary a little, and it's a lot better to find that out, before there's paint on the car!

Mike Ward

Not to add insult to injury, but why would you place or leave the transmission in any gear to start the engine- that's an accident waiting to happen.

0WildVettes

Because I have been doing it for my entire life without issue in six different cars including my three other Corvettes that I have had for ten years. My other Corvettes wouldn't have done this even if I had popped the clutch in gear because the ebrakes are strong enough to hold the car from moving at idle. The ebrake on this car didn't do anything, but like I said earlier live and learn.

I wasn't even alive in 1971 and the oldest Corvette I have owned prior to this one is a 1991 that was an auto. I also have a 71 Monte but it is also an auto.

I am not saying I wasn't taught the proper way to start a manual, I am just saying it has never been an issue before because the newer vehicles are pretty idiot proof.

0WildVettes

Thank you for the advice. I will try repairing with resin and mat first and if I can't get favorable results I will graft in a new section. Any recommendations on resin brands and tools I will need?

Mike Ward

I'd go as far as saying you were not taught the proper (safe) way of starting a car with a manual transmission. Hoping that the parking brake is engaged and that it will hold the car is a bad idea.

Sooner or later your foot will slip off the clutch.

0WildVettes

Car in neutral, foot on the brake, clutch on the floor, start.

I also know speeding is wrong, but sometimes I find myself doing it. I am sure we all do things the wrong way from time to time because we have never had issue with it. Doesn't make it right. I usually always have my right foot all the way on the brake, so I'm not too sure what happened there, but it is what it is. The lesson to be learned is you need to pay attention "every" time you start a car. Thankfully this only resulted in property damage and not injury to someone.

0WildVettes

The bumper looks slightly bent at one of the mounts. I will probably straighten it and re-chrome them. I can get them re-chromed for $300.