Urgent Advice On Engine Fire
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica CA
Urgent Advice On Engine Fire
My '91 convertible which I had restored with a new interior, new top with glass window, rebuilt engine, new transmission, etc. etc. had a fire under the hood last Friday due to a gas leak. The hood melted on the passenger side and, in addition, the fire department cut through the hood with a circular saw to get to the source of the fire. The shop who did all the restoration work is offering me 3K in parts for the car and say that a repair would not be worth it.
Any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Is $3000 in parts fair? I had spent thousands with that shop! Should I find a place who can repair it?
Any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Is $3000 in parts fair? I had spent thousands with that shop! Should I find a place who can repair it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Don't tell me that you didn't have agreed value insurance?
If you did, take the money and tell the resto guy to stick it. If you didn't have agreed value insurance and had basic coverage, the ins. co. will own your car and you won't be able to sell the resto guy a thing.
If you did, take the money and tell the resto guy to stick it. If you didn't have agreed value insurance and had basic coverage, the ins. co. will own your car and you won't be able to sell the resto guy a thing.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Is this the red with red top and aftermarket wheels that somebody posted pics of on the 8th? Bummer either way.
I think I'd have to let that one go to Corvette Heaven.
Hope your insurance was up to date. $$$
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=fire
I think I'd have to let that one go to Corvette Heaven.
Hope your insurance was up to date. $$$
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=fire
Last edited by xCCTer; Oct 13, 2007 at 12:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica CA
Regrettably, I was uninsured on this one.... So I'm REALLY feeling the pain.
My corvette was red with a black interior that I'd changed to red, a black convertible top, and original wheels. Don't have photos of it as of yet.
My corvette was red with a black interior that I'd changed to red, a black convertible top, and original wheels. Don't have photos of it as of yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,324
Likes: 250
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
-----
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 21
From: Virginia
My '91 convertible which I had restored with a new interior, new top with glass window, rebuilt engine, new transmission, etc. etc. had a fire under the hood last Friday due to a gas leak. The hood melted on the passenger side and, in addition, the fire department cut through the hood with a circular saw to get to the source of the fire. The shop who did all the restoration work is offering me 3K in parts for the car and say that a repair would not be worth it.
Any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Is $3000 in parts fair? I had spent thousands with that shop! Should I find a place who can repair it?
Any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Is $3000 in parts fair? I had spent thousands with that shop! Should I find a place who can repair it?
If I were you I would consult with an attorney and see whether you had a case.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Since you take it to a shop, I'm assuming you don't do heavy repairs. $3000 for a vehicle in your condition is fair. Can he make money at $3000, obviously he thinks he can. That's pretty much irrelevant, because the fact is, you can't. Having built a few "burners" and parted out a bunch of vettes, I can assure you you can't put it together without access to a lot of cheap parts. If you try to part it, you will sell a few parts and them the rest will sit for years. That's where the shop has the advantage. I know this sucks, but good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Consider your self very lucky to have had a fire. What if you had been driving around and hit and killed or seriously hurt someone? With no insurance you would be spending some serious downtime in prison. Yes, You are VERY lucky albeit VERY stupid! Sorry if I offend you.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica CA
In Calif we have two types of insurance - liability should one injure someone and comprehensive on the auto itself. Liability is mandatory, comprehensive is not. No offensive taken at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I live in the Torrance/South Bay area... and I have full coverage. You are in Santa Monica... I would like to see the car and give you my opinion. PM me the name of the shop that is trying to screw you over. I mean... they do all this work, then the car toasts and they try to buy it back for pennies on the dollar? Sounds like a scam to me... I wonder when else this has happened?
This is a blanket reminder - NEVER GO CHEAP ON INSURANCE. You save a couple bucks a month and now are thousands in the hole. Smart financial move.
As for the fuel leak... did that shop cause it? If so, make them fix it.
How long did it burn? just because the hood was damaged, doesn't mean the engine was totaled or the rest of the car ruined. Seriously.
A used hood is about $1000.00... you might need an engine harness and some sensors, no more than $500, tops. Then paint and time.
and be smart, get agreed value on this thing....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
You definitely need to find out what started that fuel leak. If the resto shop did or didn't do something that they should have that caused the leak, then they are responsible for the predicament you're in.
Take the car to someone or somewhere that specializes in what you need done.
Take the car to someone or somewhere that specializes in what you need done.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jennings LA
Tech Contributor
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon