I posted this in the paint and body section, but thought I might have better luck here. I would like to fix rear end damage to my C3. I can have it repaired at a shop which has done some excellent work for me in the past or use a rear end piece from Top Flight Automotive. The owner of the shop says that they can fix the cosmetic damage. Which option would have the best results: fixing it, or replacing the complete rear end?

This is purely a cosmetic question. I’m trying to understand the work involved in fixing fiberglass instead of replacing it. I understand that I’m going to have to spend some money to fix the non-cosmetic damage as well.

 

I'm a long time owner of the same C3. Reading over your post brought to mind just how many times I've broken my car, or had it broken for me! The day I bought it some lady in a pick up backed into it putting the trailer hitch ball right through my passengers side front fender. There was the time someone hit the drivers side front fender when it was parked in front of my shop. The time I hit a deer. Oh boy that was a good one! Slid it off the road one dark night and caught a tree stump with the lower right front fender. Well, over 35 years of ownership, That's kinda the tip of the iceberg.
if you look up inside my front clip in particular, but also some work done in the rear, you'll definitely see some reinforcing glass work. But on the outside?
well, my car today.


And this car hit a deer about 25 years ago. With the headlights up I might add. It was a mess. Kinda like your rear is now. But installing a new front clip is HUGE work. Repairing Fibreglass is far easier for those who are good at it. So, the front clip is original to the car.
replacing your rear clip is an even bigger job than doing a front clip.
It's your money of course. But I am guessing that your looking at paying professionals to do this repair.
If I'm right about that. I think your Mad even considering replacing the entire rear clip. I think you could just about buy another car for that cost.
If your repair shop is good with fibreglass, they should be able to repair it with show quality results.
If they can't, your at the wrong shop.
replacing the entire rear clip is HUGE TIMES 2 amount of work. It's total out the car amount of work.
So, my 2 cents. Repair the glass you have. And of course the structural parts and bumpers.
Best of luck to you and so sorry your car got damaged this badly.

 

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i dont see you fixing that rear too easily. I'm thinking the full rear clip will be easier, faster & look better when completed. Hours & money spent is prob 1/4 of the time with the clip vs repairing that mess, it's pretty bad. I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't more to it like frame & or suspension issues back under there.

 

Before

Before

Before
This is my sad story. I had just gotten the Vette back from being in the paint and body shop where they had been working on it for three months. I had three coats of paint that had to be removed: the original Warbonnet Yellow, Sunflower Yellow and then Matte Black. I also had stress cracks and some minor body work. The body shop did a phenomenal job and even fixed some other issues I had like the electric windows, the horn, and other stuff without charging me extra. It looked gorgeous. I had so many compliments just in the three hour drive to my house. I had it for about 12 hours, was detailing the inside to show it off to my friends, and inadvertently knocked it out of park. I was also in the process of replacing the handbrake handle so the handbrake wasn't on. Did my car start rolling down my steep driveway while I was still in the car? Nope. Casper the Ghost waited until I went in the house to get the keys and then rolled down the driveway and hit the car on the opposite side of the street. I am really glad nobody was walking down the street and got hurt, but my poor body shop guy and I were almost crying. He had taken so much pride in his work.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to give me such detailed responses. I have talked with the body shop and if we go forward with getting it fixed, which I hope we will, I have ready to go the rear panels and the right quarter panel. More updates will be upcoming as he does the work.

 

New rear panel and new quarter panel certainly sounds like the correct way to go to me.
Yes there is some structure under there that is bent. Any shop with a frame machine should be able to pull that back out.
I see that you have gotten mixed opinions as to replace entire rear clip or not.
Just google what's involved with removing it from the bird cage!
New panels can easily be sectioned in.
Best of luck with the repairs. Hope to see the repaired photos in a couple months.