My brother got married on Saturday and I let him take the Vette from the wedding to the reception. He got rear-ended on the highway! The difference in speed was probably 5 mph or so.

The Vette looks insignificantly harmed, while the other car is seriously damaged. The other car has a nice imprint in the hood from the exhaust tips (among other damage).

My car has some minor scratches, bent license plate, broken license plate frame, and the back-up lights were knocked loose. I'm worried that there may be damage to the exhaust system that is not readily apparent (one of the exhaust tip pairs is crooked). Also, I've noticed that the transmission occasionally briefly makes a sound like scraping when shifting. I drove it home (200 miles) and I'm not going to drive it anymore until it gets fully repaired.

What places would you recommend for Corvette repair (it's a C6 convertible)? I don't know if I would want to take it to a dealer. I'm looking for someplace that's got a lot of experience with Corvettes.

Also, what other kind of damage should I look for that might not be obvious? I want to make a list of everything before I call the insurance company tomorrow.

Me:





Her... looks like she picked up the back end of my car with her front end. The rear wheels did some pretty good damage to the bumper:

 

Oops... my location in Southeastern NC.

 

The rear bumper cover will have to be removed in order to check for hidden damage. Then a visual inspection of the underside of the car along with some measuring will tell you what work is needed. Any reputable shop should be able to accomplish this.

http://www.2ndgenrestorations.com

 

Fissile,

By looking at the damage to the "other" car. I am having a hard time in wrapping my head around the fact that your car was actually lifted off of the ground. The amount of visible damage would be greater that what the photo you posted show. Not saying it didn't happen....but I can not see it. The bumper of the car that hit your Corvette is not low enough to scoup it up off the ground...without causing a lot more damage. Especially at 5 MPH or so.

Did the driver and paseneger of your car tell you that your car was lifted off the road when it got hit?

I do agree that removing the bumper cover may be a wise choice. And seeing how the taillights have to be removed BEFORE the bumper cover can be removed...some inspection can take place at that time. But only to a point...due to the absorber under the rear bumper covers a lot of "hidden" area. But looking at your quarter panels very carefully can also determine if the stress from the impact caused damage to them.
Are your a manual or automatic transmission....you didn't state that. But by you writing...."when I shift"....I assume that it is a manual.

You exhaust tubing is also very stout...and if it is "tweaked" just a little bit...hopefully the energy from the impact did not throw things off...and now is in some part, causing your noise when shifting. It does require a good "look-see".

For what it is worth....you are lucky...(going off of the photo you posted) because I have seen a whole heck of a lot worse.

"DUB"

 

The 5mph number was a guess on my part based on the apparent damage to the cars.

I wasn't at the scene and didn't talk to the other driver at all. Based on the description my brother gave me, I expected the visible damage to be a lot worse, but who knows...

It's on its way to a body shop right now. They'll let me know more I guess.


P.S. Another picture:

 

Are you sure all the damage to the other car is from hitting you? The side of the fender and door certainly isn't. Don't know about where you are but up here the person in back is at fault 99% of the time so there would be no advantage to purposely hitting a car to get repairs done.

Was the missing bumper cover piece on the passenger side at the accident scene? Cops involved? I don't see how all that damage occurred without more damage to your Vette.

 

Looks like she has been bouncing off everything on the road! Not sure all that damage to the nose was from her hitting your car.

Like the other guys aid look at the door and fender rubbin is racing down near the military bases I know I lived in Jacksonville for 15 years! USMC!

 

Whatever else she's been running into is between her and her insurance. I got 2 independent estimates at $3700 and $4400. Most of that is replacing the axle-back portion of the exhaust. (The exhaust tips are depressed into the mufflers.)

Anyway, I should get it back in a week or so.

 

..... her sweats say ARMY..... typically that is either an Army wife, dependant or someone who may be on her way in.... most normal people would rather wear the USMC stuff...

That fender damage is from catching a bumper, most likely in a parking lot (I've done it once it a packed driveway) I think she's trying to prove how safe Toyota's are (at least thats what I think it is.)

 

[QUOTE=Swift_C3;1575069444]..... her sweats say ARMY..... typically that is either an Army wife, dependant or someone who may be on her way in.... most normal people would rather wear the USMC stuff...

I don't know about being normal but I wore the USMC brand for years ( eternity it seemed ) and couldn't wait to retire it.
I guess its different if it comes from a clothing store.

 

I know this thread is a month or so old but man they need to pull her license!! Looks like she's been playing pinball with that car!!