crashed my corvette! :(
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20,178
Likes: 0
From: middle of nowhere Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
send a pm to Jewel or Bedroker they have a 91 vert that had very similar damage done about a year ago and they are in N.C. so they might be able to point you in the right direction.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
DON'T cut the panel,they are VERY expensive, and it sounds like with a little "pull" it will pop back. this may involve a trip to a few frame shops. Try unbolting the rear bumper and inner fenderwell on both sides to see if they are holding the panel in. You may need to loosen the bolts holding the fuel tank to see if they've been forced forward. The whole rear section and the bumper cover are still available from GM.I'm doing a 90 right now. There is not a lot of rigidity on the convertibles so they bend forward fairly easy, and pull back pretty easily too. If only you had pictures.......
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte nc
act of god?....maybe.
Ok, so I just humiliated myself further by relaying the actual crash story on the other forum I read, I didn't want to leave you guys out, sooo... BTW, I will still get some pics up- probably tomorrow, but fyi it's worse than 'corvette 4 life's' pics show. (thanks for the pics, btw- very helpful!) Here's the clip:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm.... well, it all started with a little mistake. It's a rather embarassing story, but I managed to cough it up over the weekend to a couple of friends- so I guess I can manage telling it one more time to some internet strangers.. here goes:
So I was driving back from an outdoor concert downtown. Had some drinks, but not too many, and followed with dinner, and several hours so as to insure a safe drive home. I'm from Chicago- where streets and navigation make sense. In Charlotte, everything's crooked anyway, and the streets change names (if they're even signed)and point in random directions always. This one particular evening I got all turned around and took a right onto a dark unmarked on ramp to 277 (the highway loop around the city). Upon nearing the merge to the highway, I noticed that the tail-lights are looking quite a bit lighter than usual. Historically, i've always made fun of people who've done this, always wondering how you can make this silly mistake. Anyway, I'm only a matter of yards into it before I realize I'm driving up an OFF ramp.
Here's where the trouble starts... and its filled with irony-- first off, it's not even a panic situation. There's plenty of time to do a 3 point turn, or pull to the shoulder and manouver around to the right direction. However, as I've done so many times before in this car (autocross, closed course, etc.) I figured, gee, this would be one of those rare, but practical (nobody else around, btw) times to make use of the J-turn that I'm so very good at executing. Seriously though- ordinarily, this is no big deal.
This particular time, however, my car momentarily inherits the handling of an f1 racecar, and tracks like it's on rails....directly into the concrete sidewall. Yes- more irony. This crash was caused due to too much traction. The skid that was supposed to happen didn't- maybe due to the tires being low? Generally, I have a really good feel for my car, but this one I can't explain. Anyway, so after exploding the rear end of my corvette and bouncing off the concrete, I continue on down the ramp, make a right and shortly thereafter, an officer of the law stops by to say hi. Now ordinarily, during such a stop- in addition to being as polite and respectful as possible, I make an effort to be as creative/optimistic as possible in my story without actually lying. Well, here I made an exception. Sorry.
So I explained to the kind officer and friends who joined him that the car was a salvage title that I was working on restoring- hoping he didn't notice my futile effort to open the driver's door, or my sprained arm/jaw (how I hurt my jaw- also a mystery). Anyway, he'd apparently heard the crash, but had no reports of an accident and no evidence otherwise, and so ticketed me for the plates and because I couldn't find my insurance card (which I have now- it was insured(liability) ) . Anyway, so that pretty well concludes my story. I'm out one corvette. Might be fixable. The moral? Practice more J-turns before you try them on the highway.
...oh yeah, and don't be an idiot..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm.... well, it all started with a little mistake. It's a rather embarassing story, but I managed to cough it up over the weekend to a couple of friends- so I guess I can manage telling it one more time to some internet strangers.. here goes:
So I was driving back from an outdoor concert downtown. Had some drinks, but not too many, and followed with dinner, and several hours so as to insure a safe drive home. I'm from Chicago- where streets and navigation make sense. In Charlotte, everything's crooked anyway, and the streets change names (if they're even signed)and point in random directions always. This one particular evening I got all turned around and took a right onto a dark unmarked on ramp to 277 (the highway loop around the city). Upon nearing the merge to the highway, I noticed that the tail-lights are looking quite a bit lighter than usual. Historically, i've always made fun of people who've done this, always wondering how you can make this silly mistake. Anyway, I'm only a matter of yards into it before I realize I'm driving up an OFF ramp.
Here's where the trouble starts... and its filled with irony-- first off, it's not even a panic situation. There's plenty of time to do a 3 point turn, or pull to the shoulder and manouver around to the right direction. However, as I've done so many times before in this car (autocross, closed course, etc.) I figured, gee, this would be one of those rare, but practical (nobody else around, btw) times to make use of the J-turn that I'm so very good at executing. Seriously though- ordinarily, this is no big deal.
This particular time, however, my car momentarily inherits the handling of an f1 racecar, and tracks like it's on rails....directly into the concrete sidewall. Yes- more irony. This crash was caused due to too much traction. The skid that was supposed to happen didn't- maybe due to the tires being low? Generally, I have a really good feel for my car, but this one I can't explain. Anyway, so after exploding the rear end of my corvette and bouncing off the concrete, I continue on down the ramp, make a right and shortly thereafter, an officer of the law stops by to say hi. Now ordinarily, during such a stop- in addition to being as polite and respectful as possible, I make an effort to be as creative/optimistic as possible in my story without actually lying. Well, here I made an exception. Sorry.
So I explained to the kind officer and friends who joined him that the car was a salvage title that I was working on restoring- hoping he didn't notice my futile effort to open the driver's door, or my sprained arm/jaw (how I hurt my jaw- also a mystery). Anyway, he'd apparently heard the crash, but had no reports of an accident and no evidence otherwise, and so ticketed me for the plates and because I couldn't find my insurance card (which I have now- it was insured(liability) ) . Anyway, so that pretty well concludes my story. I'm out one corvette. Might be fixable. The moral? Practice more J-turns before you try them on the highway.
...oh yeah, and don't be an idiot..
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
So why'd you lie to the officer? You could have just said you were accidently going the wrong way because you werent familiar with the area and ran into the wall. Its not like you would have gotten in trouble for accidently wrecking your own car.
I still think you'd be best off to call a salvage yard and find the body panels if they're that badly damaged.
I still think you'd be best off to call a salvage yard and find the body panels if they're that badly damaged.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Some of us do dumb things (but not all of us---there are some perrfect peop here on CF). And sometiems we get caught out doing those dumb things.
Bad as it is, and it is bad, you got by lucky. It was just the car.
A few more "mistakes", and you could've been looking at a very large something coming at you, at off-ramp speeds, maybe even "racing" a bit, with no where for you to go.
All of us learn lessons. Your story could be that for some of us.
Thanks and hope the car comes together.
Bad as it is, and it is bad, you got by lucky. It was just the car.
A few more "mistakes", and you could've been looking at a very large something coming at you, at off-ramp speeds, maybe even "racing" a bit, with no where for you to go.
All of us learn lessons. Your story could be that for some of us.
Thanks and hope the car comes together.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
I feel your pain on both counts, a wrecked vette (luckily never) and lost in Charlotte (been there, done that). Post some pics when you get her fixed up! It will make you feel better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
http://www.contemporarycorvette.com/...ml.......these folks sale used vette parts (recycled ?). you might find what you need (and prices) by going into their site. I think their in Pa.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Doesn't look that bad actually. I think once you get the parts off, it'll look alot better. I think it all will come down to whether or not you want to repair or replace. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like pretty minor glass work, some rebonding and a new bumper cover will take care of it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by kevin-design
So I was driving back from an outdoor concert downtown. Had some
drinks, but not too many, and followed with dinner, and several hours
so as to insure a safe drive home. I'm from Chicago- where streets and
navigation make sense. In Charlotte, everything's crooked anyway, and
the streets change names (if they're even signed)and point in random
directions always. This one particular evening I got all turned around
and took a right onto a dark unmarked on ramp to 277 (the highway
loop around the city). Upon nearing the merge to the highway, I
noticed that the tail-lights are looking quite a bit lighter than usual.
Historically, I've always made fun of people who've done this, always
wondering how you can make this silly mistake. Anyway, I'm only a
matter of yards into it before I realize I'm driving up an OFF ramp.
Here's where the trouble starts... and its filled with irony-- first off, it's
not even a panic situation. There's plenty of time to do a 3 point turn,
or pull to the shoulder and manouver around to the right direction.
However, as I've done so many times before in this car (autocross,
closed course, etc.) I figured, gee, this would be one of those
rare, but practical (nobody else around, btw) times to make use of the
J-turn that I'm so very good at executing. Seriously though- ordinarily,
this is no big deal. This particular time, however, my car momentarily
inherits the handling of an f1 racecar, and tracks like it's on rails....
directly into the concrete sidewall. Yes- more irony. This crash was
caused due to too much traction. The skid that was supposed to
happen didn't- maybe due to the tires being low? Generally, I have a
really good feel for my car, but this one I can't explain. Anyway, so
after exploding the rear end of my corvette and bouncing off the
concrete, I continue on down the ramp, make a right and shortly
thereafter, an officer of the law stops by to say hi. Now ordinarily,
during such a stop- in addition to being as polite and respectful as
possible, I make an effort to be as creative/optimistic as possible in my
story without actually lying. Well, here I made an exception. Sorry.
So I explained to the kind officer and friends who joined him that the
car was a salvage title that I was working on restoring- hoping he
didn't notice my futile effort to open the driver's door, or my sprained
arm/jaw (how I hurt my jaw- also a mystery). Anyway, he'd apparently
heard the crash, but had no reports of an accident and no evidence
otherwise, and so ticketed me for the plates and because I couldn't
find my insurance card (which I have now- it was insured) . Anyway,
so that pretty well concludes my story. I'm out one corvette. Might be
fixable. The moral? Practice more J-turns before you try them on the
highway.[/SIZE]
...oh yeah, and don't be an idiot..
.
drinks, but not too many, and followed with dinner, and several hours
so as to insure a safe drive home. I'm from Chicago- where streets and
navigation make sense. In Charlotte, everything's crooked anyway, and
the streets change names (if they're even signed)and point in random
directions always. This one particular evening I got all turned around
and took a right onto a dark unmarked on ramp to 277 (the highway
loop around the city). Upon nearing the merge to the highway, I
noticed that the tail-lights are looking quite a bit lighter than usual.
Historically, I've always made fun of people who've done this, always
wondering how you can make this silly mistake. Anyway, I'm only a
matter of yards into it before I realize I'm driving up an OFF ramp.
Here's where the trouble starts... and its filled with irony-- first off, it's
not even a panic situation. There's plenty of time to do a 3 point turn,
or pull to the shoulder and manouver around to the right direction.
However, as I've done so many times before in this car (autocross,
closed course, etc.) I figured, gee, this would be one of those
rare, but practical (nobody else around, btw) times to make use of the
J-turn that I'm so very good at executing. Seriously though- ordinarily,
this is no big deal. This particular time, however, my car momentarily
inherits the handling of an f1 racecar, and tracks like it's on rails....
directly into the concrete sidewall. Yes- more irony. This crash was
caused due to too much traction. The skid that was supposed to
happen didn't- maybe due to the tires being low? Generally, I have a
really good feel for my car, but this one I can't explain. Anyway, so
after exploding the rear end of my corvette and bouncing off the
concrete, I continue on down the ramp, make a right and shortly
thereafter, an officer of the law stops by to say hi. Now ordinarily,
during such a stop- in addition to being as polite and respectful as
possible, I make an effort to be as creative/optimistic as possible in my
story without actually lying. Well, here I made an exception. Sorry.
So I explained to the kind officer and friends who joined him that the
car was a salvage title that I was working on restoring- hoping he
didn't notice my futile effort to open the driver's door, or my sprained
arm/jaw (how I hurt my jaw- also a mystery). Anyway, he'd apparently
heard the crash, but had no reports of an accident and no evidence
otherwise, and so ticketed me for the plates and because I couldn't
find my insurance card (which I have now- it was insured) . Anyway,
so that pretty well concludes my story. I'm out one corvette. Might be
fixable. The moral? Practice more J-turns before you try them on the
highway.[/SIZE]
...oh yeah, and don't be an idiot..
.
My vote is that the moral here isn't to practice more 'J'-turns.
The moral really is 'Don't Drink and Drive' - period. I generally try to
keep my sanctimonious, self-rightous, 'holier-than-thou' self in check,
but it concerns me that you haven't acknowledged that driving while
impaired might have been a factor in these woes.
As for the busted car. I believe Dakota Wentz or another writer
put together a series of articles in Vette or Corvette that detailed
the repairs for very similar damage. The car was a coupe and there
was some minor frame damage that need to be addressed, too. I
will search for the details and see if I can find the articles on line.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Incidently, I don't want to draw kevin-design into making any comments
that might implicate him. My bet is there is enough information out
now that someone with access and motivation might be able to go
back and connect the dots, possibly leading to more trouble for k-d.
.
that might implicate him. My bet is there is enough information out
now that someone with access and motivation might be able to go
back and connect the dots, possibly leading to more trouble for k-d.
.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte nc
reality
Here, let me highlight some text to spin it my way... you're welcome to interpret this story any way you want- that's the american way after all. I already explained that I took practical measures to ensure that I was not impaired. I explained the same to the police after the incident. They had no reason to believe otherwise- and that's that. I'm not worried in the slightest about implications as there is no additional information with which to implicate. Also for the record- I was Kidding about the moral of the story! As always- drink responsibly.
>>Originally Posted by kevin-design
So I was driving back from an outdoor concert downtown. Had some
drinks, but not too many, and followed with dinner, and several hours
so as to insure a safe drive home. I'm from Chicago- where streets and
navigation make sense. In Charlotte, everything's crooked anyway, and
the streets change names (if they're even signed)and point in random
directions always. This one particular evening I got all turned around
and took a right onto a dark unmarked on ramp to 277 (the highway
loop around the city). Upon nearing the merge to the highway, I
noticed that the tail-lights are looking quite a bit lighter than usual.
Historically, I've always made fun of people who've done this, always
wondering how you can make this silly mistake. Anyway, I'm only a
matter of yards into it before I realize I'm driving up an OFF ramp.
>>Originally Posted by kevin-design
So I was driving back from an outdoor concert downtown. Had some
drinks, but not too many, and followed with dinner, and several hours
so as to insure a safe drive home. I'm from Chicago- where streets and
navigation make sense. In Charlotte, everything's crooked anyway, and
the streets change names (if they're even signed)and point in random
directions always. This one particular evening I got all turned around
and took a right onto a dark unmarked on ramp to 277 (the highway
loop around the city). Upon nearing the merge to the highway, I
noticed that the tail-lights are looking quite a bit lighter than usual.
Historically, I've always made fun of people who've done this, always
wondering how you can make this silly mistake. Anyway, I'm only a
matter of yards into it before I realize I'm driving up an OFF ramp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
I found the series.
First, a correction - Jim Miles authored the articles. My apologies
to Mr Miles for mixing him up with the other fellow (VERY different
authors.)
Vette - 'Little Wrecked Corvette'
Pt 1 - Jul/03, Vol 27, Iss 7: pg 76
Pt 2 - Aug/03, Vol 27, Iss 8: pg 56
Pt 3 - Sep/03, Vol 27, Iss 9: pg 18
Pt 4 - Nov/03, Vol 27, Iss 11: pg 58
Pt 5 - Dec/03, Vol 27, Iss 12: pg 64
Pt 6 - ? ?
I looked on the Vette site, but did not find any of this series
in the Tech section. (They have the 'X'-pipe article that appeared
in Tech in the Jul/03 issue, however.)
Also, if Pt 6 appeared later in '04 instead of in Jan, then I might
have this article, too. Can't say just now whether that concluded
the series.
Their '87 car was rear-ended. But visually, the damage is similar to
what has happened to your car, perhaps worse. The cap pushed into
the driver's quarter panel, breaking a big piece from the deck and side.
.
First, a correction - Jim Miles authored the articles. My apologies
to Mr Miles for mixing him up with the other fellow (VERY different
authors.)
Vette - 'Little Wrecked Corvette'
Pt 1 - Jul/03, Vol 27, Iss 7: pg 76
Pt 2 - Aug/03, Vol 27, Iss 8: pg 56
Pt 3 - Sep/03, Vol 27, Iss 9: pg 18
Pt 4 - Nov/03, Vol 27, Iss 11: pg 58
Pt 5 - Dec/03, Vol 27, Iss 12: pg 64
Pt 6 - ? ?
I looked on the Vette site, but did not find any of this series
in the Tech section. (They have the 'X'-pipe article that appeared
in Tech in the Jul/03 issue, however.)
Also, if Pt 6 appeared later in '04 instead of in Jan, then I might
have this article, too. Can't say just now whether that concluded
the series.
Their '87 car was rear-ended. But visually, the damage is similar to
what has happened to your car, perhaps worse. The cap pushed into
the driver's quarter panel, breaking a big piece from the deck and side.
.
Last edited by Slalom4me; Jul 8, 2006 at 01:58 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Just glanced through - there has to be more than 6 parts to
this series. Maybe someone else can comment.
I have to say that while the articles are interesting for me to
follow along, they also illustrate that this is not the kind of
work I would choose to undertake.
.
this series. Maybe someone else can comment.
I have to say that while the articles are interesting for me to
follow along, they also illustrate that this is not the kind of
work I would choose to undertake.
.