69 Convertable L71
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
69 Convertable L71
Need some advise everyone.
I recently had my vette at a local shop for a simple job. One of the mechanics when they were backing it our ran it into a light poll. Big scratch to the middle back of the fiberglass. Pushed in the bumper and back and side panels are torn.
When fixed do you think there would be any value issues to the car?
How would you know if the body person is qualified to work on this type of car? The bumper needs to be replaced. How do I guard against a cheep replacement part?
Thank you in advance for any advice. I have never had this happen before.
I recently had my vette at a local shop for a simple job. One of the mechanics when they were backing it our ran it into a light poll. Big scratch to the middle back of the fiberglass. Pushed in the bumper and back and side panels are torn.
When fixed do you think there would be any value issues to the car?
How would you know if the body person is qualified to work on this type of car? The bumper needs to be replaced. How do I guard against a cheep replacement part?
Thank you in advance for any advice. I have never had this happen before.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 792
Need some advise everyone.
I recently had my vette at a local shop for a simple job. One of the mechanics when they were backing it our ran it into a light poll. Big scratch to the middle back of the fiberglass. Pushed in the bumper and back and side panels are torn.
When fixed do you think there would be any value issues to the car?
How would you know if the body person is qualified to work on this type of car? The bumper needs to be replaced. How do I guard against a cheep replacement part?
Thank you in advance for any advice. I have never had this happen before.
I recently had my vette at a local shop for a simple job. One of the mechanics when they were backing it our ran it into a light poll. Big scratch to the middle back of the fiberglass. Pushed in the bumper and back and side panels are torn.
When fixed do you think there would be any value issues to the car?
How would you know if the body person is qualified to work on this type of car? The bumper needs to be replaced. How do I guard against a cheep replacement part?
Thank you in advance for any advice. I have never had this happen before.
R
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 448
Likes: 42
Body repair from a crash will always result in a value dip. And that is unfortunate. The repair should bring the car back to 100% but matching the pain is what I would be the most concerned about. You can never match 100% and you can tell that a part of the car was repainted ( new paint here and old paint there ) To me, that would be totally unacceptable. So, to make it right, the hole car would have to be re done. If the car is black, you might get away with it. Good luck.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If the car is a real, documented L71 with original drivetrain and has a no-hit body...you may want to hire an experienced appraiser/public adjuster to come up with a diminished value appraisal. Regardless of how well the repair ends up being, the car will never be what it was before the garage's mechanic did what he did. You need to capture what that amount is and get the garage's insurance company to send you a check for that amount...in addition to the total amount for a complete, professional repair. Please tell us that you are not going to let the same garage do the repair, are you?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
If the car is a real, documented L71 with original drivetrain and has a no-hit body...you may want to hire an experienced appraiser/public adjuster to come up with a diminished value appraisal. Regardless of how well the repair ends up being, the car will never be what it was before the garage's mechanic did what he did. You need to capture what that amount is and get the garage's insurance company to send you a check for that amount...in addition to the total amount for a complete, professional repair. Please tell us that you are not going to let the same garage do the repair, are you?
The garage is getting estimates to repair damage. It is an L71, but not documented. I am going to figure out how to do that next. I have not owned the car that long, and there is no way that I know of to tell if it has been in a collision before. I really don't think it has, but I could not prove it.
How would you go about looking for an independent appraiser?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
My 68 L36 vert got hit awhile back on the freeway and had to have the R/R quarter replaced. Sucks but it is what it is. My advise is, find someone who knows what they're doing(you do the research, don't let the garage chose the painter), have them fix it and move on, these things happen. As far as getting them to pay to have the entire car painted or pay you for the perceived loss in value, good luck with that.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
My 68 L36 vert got hit awhile back on the freeway and had to have the R/R quarter replaced. Sucks but it is what it is. My advise is, find someone who knows what they're doing(you do the research, don't let the garage chose the painter), have them fix it and move on, these things happen. As far as getting them to pay to have the entire car painted or pay you for the perceived loss in value, good luck with that.
Accidents happen, but do not take your vette there again.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Try doing an internet search?
http://www.autoloss.com/Services/Onl...l#.Va94lcLbLVI
Look...the garage damaged your car and it is their responsibility to, as the insurance industry says "make you whole again." If you do not demand that, you will likely not get it. If necessary, get a lawyer. Highly doubt it would ever go to court.
I am taking my homeowner insurance company to court now over a disputed claim. I lawyered up first, received a couple of bones with some meat on them, but now we are going for the steak dinner. It may take a while and both the public adjuster and lawyer will get their cuts...but I will still be left whole.
http://www.autoloss.com/Services/Onl...l#.Va94lcLbLVI
Look...the garage damaged your car and it is their responsibility to, as the insurance industry says "make you whole again." If you do not demand that, you will likely not get it. If necessary, get a lawyer. Highly doubt it would ever go to court.
I am taking my homeowner insurance company to court now over a disputed claim. I lawyered up first, received a couple of bones with some meat on them, but now we are going for the steak dinner. It may take a while and both the public adjuster and lawyer will get their cuts...but I will still be left whole.
Last edited by Faster Rat; Jul 22, 2015 at 08:42 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,115
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From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Once hit any vehicle will suffer in value. In my opinion a lot of advances have been made in the body repair industry regarding matching paint. About 10 years ago I crushed the rocker panel on my C5. Body shop had it a week but when done I could not tell it had been repaired and I looked at it in every light, at every angle, and on my hands and knees with a magnifying glass. My insurance company gave me extra money for "value loss" on a repair of my wife's Jaguar. I couldn't tell the Jag had been repaired either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
Backing into a light pole? My ***! More than likely a joy ride. Is this a corvette shop? Find a corvette specialty shop and have them check the damage. Who is your insurance carrier? Call them for a name of a shop and advice. If you're not careful, you'll get a "bondo repair".
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Well I can tell you that it happened with my 2001 convertible . Took it in for a minor recall at the Chevy dealer and they said that they needed to keep it overnight . One of the employees took it home overnight in a thunderstorm . When I went the next day to pick it up it was covered with mud spatter and had 8 more miles on it. Yes it does happen !