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I also posted in the restoration forum. I need to have the rear driver quarter repaired and some suspension work. The mechanical I can handle if needed. Wish bones, axle, tie link, spring etc. I know there is more when I start to dig, but mechanical work does seem to bad. Doesn't worry me at all other than time/$. My concern is hidden damage and frame. Medium complexity project. Not restoration but not a patch and buff. See attached picture. Long story short a guy cut me off and put me in the guard rail. I wasn't hurt, so I feel blessed! One foot further up and it could have been a real bad day. My God and my guardian angel are awesome! I now know I can thank God for Corvettes because it keep me safe!
Now I need to get my car fixed. Now the pain starts! It took 7 hour to get a tow truck. Really. I waited nicely on the insurance guys cheap tow service and then I called a real towing company. My driver was great and got my car home safely/no further damage. He even allowed me to get a jack and helped me push it in. Suburban towing in Ky is Awesome if you ever need a tow. I now have it tucked away safely in my garage.
I have never let anyone work on my cars but this is not a two week project for me. A fair amount of work for me and I have very little fiberglass experience. I have zero way of checking the frame and I have a little concern that something moved. The passenger tire is one inch outside the wheel well after driver side impact, the top does not seem to fit the same and the console moved. Not good signs. I am interested to see how an C4 restoration expert would repair this. What checks to perform first. Anyone have recommendation of who to use in two hours of Louisville, Ky ( I am actually in Utica, In). If it needs to be farther for good work I am ok with that, but I am hoping that I can find a good corvette body shops close. I use to know some good body shops but they have all retired (sad world). The Bad Boys of Corvette Restoration (Elizebeth Indiana) is close to me but I have never talk with anyone that used them. Anyone know them? Happy to take any first hand recommendations. Anyone have connection with GM restoration team? This was a really nice car until this morning, so I want to get it fixed back factory or better. This is VIN 103 so a very early car and very special. At least to me!
I have zero way of checking the frame and I have a little concern that something moved. The passenger tire is one inch outside the wheel well after driver side impact, the top does not seem to fit the same and the console moved. Not good signs.
Bad signs. Diff took an impact. Frame is tweaked enough that the targa top now has a gap. You have a need for a bumper, a tub, probably both quarters as I imagine the other side has popped as energy was transferred. You obviously look to need a drivers door, and also the door jam portion as well.
Originally Posted by Brandon's Z
What checks to perform first.
Your insurance coverage
Beyond that, pull the carpet and look for damage along the floor.
Originally Posted by Brandon's Z
This is VIN 103 so a very early car and very special. At least to me!
Maybe someday it is worth being repaired. But the cost of these cars is so low, the repairs and trying to find parts, just go get another one.
I’m sorry to say that this car was probably a total if this had happened 25 years ago. The frame is done and there will be so much hidden damage it’s just not worth it. I can’t even imagine how much money you’d have to put into it.
Not to mention, vibrations and proper alignment are hard enough to iron out on a "non-hit" car...I agree with the above posts, my personal opinion is once they've been hit like that, no matter how cosmetically great looking the repairs can be, the car is never the same!!! I would let insurance total it with the intention of buying it back...I would want to strip it for the extra parts (interior, engine, transmission, etc) Find another one and have replacement parts for decades!!! It'll cost more to fix it and paint it, than to replace it...and you'd still have a salvaged title and a car that will never be "true" going down the road!!! It's toast, it's a bummer, but you seem to be the optimistic type...so start looking for one that's even better👍
First off, praise God you were not hurt! Secondly, I admire your desire to bring her back, but as has been said, you're better off replacing her. I don't know what your insurance coverage is, but I would consider keeping her for parts and such. A lot of this stuff isn't available anymore. I live just up hwy 62 from you. I've heard great things about the folks in Elizabeth, but no personal experience. I will say they usually work on the high dollar restorations. I am rather attached to my '85, but if it took a hit like that, I'd have to give in to replacement. Unless of course you have an endless supply of $$$.
Thank god you’re ok. Damn shame what happened. I agree with a few of the other posts. You can pick up a nice condition C4 for a good price. That car will never be the same and it will take a ton of money and time to fix.
Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone to pull it back straight, so I sold it off as a parts car. I am hoping the next owner will fix it but I know it is gone. Sad.
Repair work
