wrecked now what
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Davenport Iowa
wrecked now what
Totaled my 75 insurance company says it's worth 14000$ I can buy it back for 4000$ What do I do. Everything on the car worked but clock. The front end both fenders are gone bumper gone ,hood is okay but will not open, fan is in radiator,motor runs but sounds really bad. It has no rust any where,put por 54 on frame.New o-ring brakes New master cylinder,newly repadded and recoverd seats, New bumper on back. Headers ,New carb L48 with good paint. Do I take the$ and buy a different vette or fix the one I've spent so much time working on and having fun with . It's a lot harder to make up my mind than I ever thought it would be.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,453
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From: Easton Pennsylvania
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
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From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Very sorry to hear about your vette. I was wondering if you have a strong attachment to this particular vette. If you have a strong attachment to it, then it would look into fixing it back up. It may or may not make sense dollar wise, but what things about this hobby make sense dollar wise? I am very attached to mine and would fix it. Also I don't plan to ever sell it so I don't care what it's worth to somebody else.
I think I would start by getting an estimate first and then weigh your decision based on those things.
Again, sorry about what happened.
I think I would start by getting an estimate first and then weigh your decision based on those things.
Again, sorry about what happened.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
I second that motion. Sounds weird, but I think that there's a 'relationship' factor that goes along with these quirky, but beautiful cars. If it was my Sassy, I'd be fixing it. In fact she's already been in an accident once, and has had the entire front clip replaced. I knew that, when I brought her and don't plan on selling her either. Sometimes, it's more than just money, it's your Corvette.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
As mentioned above - some states will issue a "salvage" title on a car that has been totaled by an insurance company. AZ will even total a car if it's stolen and the insurance co. cuts a check for the car (even if they found it with no damage after you were paid for it). A salvage title can be a real kiss of death should you ever want to sell it. Please research that before you let your heart make a bad long-term decision for you.
Sorry to hear about your car, and I hope it works out the best it can under the circumstances.
Sorry to hear about your car, and I hope it works out the best it can under the circumstances.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
now is the time if you wanted a chrome bumper car to add the front clip and rear conversion if that's what you wanted. Now you could see car as more a play toy as long as no bad frame damage you might be ok but also look at what you can get for 14k and you could also keep car and buy a fixer upper and make 1 out of 2 really up to you. how bad is damage pics would help.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Davenport Iowa
Totaled my 75 insurance company says it's worth 14000$ I can buy it back for 4000$ What do I do. Everything on the car worked but clock. The front end both fenders are gone bumper gone ,hood is okay but will not open, fan is in radiator,motor runs but sounds really bad. It has no rust any where,put por 54 on frame.New o-ring brakes New master cylinder,newly repadded and recoverd seats, New bumper on back. Headers ,New carb L48 with good paint. Do I take the$ and buy a different vette or fix the one I've spent so much time working on and having fun with . It's a lot harder to make up my mind than I ever thought it would be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
How about finding a clean basket case vette and transferring all of your rebuilt stuff over to a car with a clean title. Or maybe you will get lucky and find out that you can simply swap out a frame and related parts allowing you to keep what you have.
Previous owner of my car swapped out the frame and used a donor 80 vette to rebuild my 1973.
Previous owner of my car swapped out the frame and used a donor 80 vette to rebuild my 1973.
Last edited by Frankenvette; Aug 22, 2014 at 08:58 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: Orlando FL
Here is my 2 cents, I would keep and fix it up if my Dad or Grandfather gave it to me. If not I would still buy and part out the car. You will make out more and you will be able to buy a new car to you maybe even better than what you had before.
Plus when you take it apart you will see all of the problem areas and will know where to look when buying the new to you one. Hope this helps happy hunting for the new one.
Plus when you take it apart you will see all of the problem areas and will know where to look when buying the new to you one. Hope this helps happy hunting for the new one.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Keizer OR
Any way you look at it, carfax is going to show a major accident even if the title itself is clean. Even if fully rebuilt it may never feel quite right. Sounds like a good parts car though, and if it were me that's probably the route I'd take. Buy it back for $4k, pick up another '75 that needs what your car has, swap the good stuff then sell whatever is left over.
All first impressions of course, the corvette specialist may come back and tell you it's all cosmetic damage plus a radiator/fan. If all you need is a radiator/fan, bumper and a couple fenders I'd keep it and fix those little things.
All first impressions of course, the corvette specialist may come back and tell you it's all cosmetic damage plus a radiator/fan. If all you need is a radiator/fan, bumper and a couple fenders I'd keep it and fix those little things.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
My '79 Porsche 911SC got totaled here in WA State. USAA allowed me to buy it back for $700, and cut me a check for over $8000.
Here in WA, if a car is over 20 yrs old, there is NO salvage title, and Carfax doesn't go back that far.
Check your state's laws and make a decision. $4000 buy-back seems high to me however, you might not be money ahead if you buy it back, can cost a lot to get it back in shape.
Unless there is some real sentimental value, '75's aren't really a collector car and a great driver can be had for $14,000 (or much less)
Best of luck whichever way you go..
Here in WA, if a car is over 20 yrs old, there is NO salvage title, and Carfax doesn't go back that far.
Check your state's laws and make a decision. $4000 buy-back seems high to me however, you might not be money ahead if you buy it back, can cost a lot to get it back in shape.
Unless there is some real sentimental value, '75's aren't really a collector car and a great driver can be had for $14,000 (or much less)
Best of luck whichever way you go..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Could be I'm being captain obvious stating I'd guess the insurance company is estimating the car to have $4K salvage value. Problem in some states is if the owner were to buy it back it would have a salvage title, requiring a special DMV inspection and destroying most of its future value.