Is this fixable?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 992
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield Michigan
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Is this fixable?
Ok, here's the story.
I was in Iraq and my wife's "friend" decided to borrow my car without asking while she was not home. Car had only storage insurance on it. She took it, wrecked it somehow, nobody told me anything until the day I returned home and opened up my storage unit and found a wrecked Vette. She skipped town to somewhere in Texas and I am left with a busted car.
So here are the pics. The rear bumper cover is cracked. The brake duct is missing (easy fix right?) and the lower rocker panel is cracked. I welcome any and all advice. I figure if I can repair it somewhat myself, it will lessen the bodyshop bill. They want $2400 to repair it all, which includes a brand new rear bumper. If I can repair it myself, that saves the $800 cost of the part at least.
At any rate, comments and suggestions on fixing it would be appreciated. I read somewhere about repairing the rear bumper but don't remember where. Please help
I was in Iraq and my wife's "friend" decided to borrow my car without asking while she was not home. Car had only storage insurance on it. She took it, wrecked it somehow, nobody told me anything until the day I returned home and opened up my storage unit and found a wrecked Vette. She skipped town to somewhere in Texas and I am left with a busted car.
So here are the pics. The rear bumper cover is cracked. The brake duct is missing (easy fix right?) and the lower rocker panel is cracked. I welcome any and all advice. I figure if I can repair it somewhat myself, it will lessen the bodyshop bill. They want $2400 to repair it all, which includes a brand new rear bumper. If I can repair it myself, that saves the $800 cost of the part at least.
At any rate, comments and suggestions on fixing it would be appreciated. I read somewhere about repairing the rear bumper but don't remember where. Please help
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,870
Likes: 38
From: Sacramento CA
Rocker panel looks like it can be easily repaired. The bumper looks like it can also be repaired but will require some special items. There is a product out there that is a two part mixture which is used especially to repair cracked plastic. I've used it before with good outcome. I bought it at a local automotive paint shop.
I would get a few shop estimates and make her pay the middle one. Then go and repair it all myself. Can't cost you more then $100.00 in materials and a couple to have it painted.
I would get a few shop estimates and make her pay the middle one. Then go and repair it all myself. Can't cost you more then $100.00 in materials and a couple to have it painted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 1
From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
I had a VERY happy brother taking care of my Z for me while I was in the great land of Iraq............
He had a couple people try to bride him into letting them take the Vette around the "block" He guarded it by carrying the keys with him.....
Sorry about the poor Vette!!! I am pretty sure the rocker is glued on so having it repaired may suck... not sure if they HAVE to remove it to fix the crack. The rear end you can replace but repair is probably not possible. On the bright side the AFTERMARKET makes some pretty awesome rear ends!!! Also the side vents can be integrated!!! Do some searching. I bet you will find things you would like better than STOCK...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 992
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield Michigan
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Daughter was born on September 25. Doesn't make sense anymore to have the wife's car, my truck, and the Corvette. I bought this car with big plans to keep it forever. Only has 45k miles on it. There is always time for another car. My daughter is a once in a lifetime event ya know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
Daughter was born on September 25. Doesn't make sense anymore to have the wife's car, my truck, and the Corvette. I bought this car with big plans to keep it forever. Only has 45k miles on it. There is always time for another car. My daughter is a once in a lifetime event ya know.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Daughter was born on September 25. Doesn't make sense anymore to have the wife's car, my truck, and the Corvette. I bought this car with big plans to keep it forever. Only has 45k miles on it. There is always time for another car. My daughter is a once in a lifetime event ya know.
My Corvette is something I really don't want to be without. Priceless.
That bumper is toast. I've known nothing but horror stories of spider webbed paint... coming back after fixing... much less one that's torn up like that!
Get a used bumper, hopefully yellow, have them paint it if not. Cheaper. The plastic brake duct is no sweat, and you can fill/prep the rocker if you want, they will have to shoot the paint though. Millenium yellow is a 3 part paint, best left to the pros.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 992
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield Michigan
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Another vote for fix the rocker and get a used rear cover.That's a BIG piece of flexible plastic with a BIG crack. I would not trust a repair on that.By all means do what you can to keep the car,,just think of the memories you can create with the two of you spending time with and in the vet. At 4 or 5 her little hands can get into a lot of those little nooks and crannies that we cant even think about. Father daughter bonding time,,,,disarm the passenger airbag and strap in the baby seat!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,802
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'08
The side panel is fixable, as far as the bumper...I would do a search and get a replacement. Fixing the bumper would cost you too much and its not worth it.
On the other hand, thanks for serving this great Country! !
On the other hand, thanks for serving this great Country! !
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 2
From: Valdosta GA
Good luck with the project. I don't know that I would trust trying to repair the bumper since it will still need to flex somewhat. Should be able to find a decent one from a salvage yard or that someone has removed to put a tigershark rear on theirs.
Hope you can get it fixed for a reasonable cost.
Hope you can get it fixed for a reasonable cost.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 17
From: Oakville, Ontario
