I'm having a crappy Saturday...the '68 hit two cars in a row....

[Dans 68]

Just like the thread title says I'm having a crappy Saturday. Except for a few dents, creases, flaking paint, bent bumper, etc., all is fine. And it was not even my fault. Go figure.    My pride and joy was enjoying a leisurely tow home after failing to start at the local gas station after a fill up. Probably a bum coil. Oh, well, that is why I now have 100 miles free towing with AAA (that and the last MATS trip). The funny thing is I'm only a half mile from my house. So, two turns from my house the strap holding the steering wheel straight comes loose (yes, it was being towed from the rear), the steering wheel does what it supposed to do, and two unsuspecting cars parked on the outside of a sweeping left hand turn took the brunt of my '68's left front end. Crap.

I'll post more photos and thoughts later after I have a few beers. Crap....

Dan

[maxwellwedge]

Sh*t, That sucks. I'll have a beer for you too. Obviously the tow trucks fault - right?

Everyone please listen ...... Always insist on a roll back truck.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Unbelievable!!!

Hope the tow operator was well insured!!

Reminds me why I only flatbed!!

Wow... sorry to hear - and see!!

[Brock Samson]

HOLY CRAP!!!   

[hemi68charger]

Sh*t, That sucks. I'll have a beer for you too. Obviously the tow trucks fault - right?

Everyone please listen ...... Always insist on a roll back truck.

No kiddin'...........  Dan......... Sorry to hear about all this............. 

Guess I'll have a beer or two tonight during the Cup race in your name..............

AB

[Rolling_Thunder]

yep -  I only flat bed as well....

That sucks Dan -   but look on the bright side...    not your fault, no one got hurt, and you'll get a nice check to fix it...        could always be worse my friend...    

[PocketThunder]

OH CRAP!!!!   

At least it wasnt a deer jumping out in front of you.... 

[Bob T]

Oh No! Jeez sorry to hear that. Gutted for you man. I'd just want a beer and walk away for a while
Hope the tow co liabilities insurance is current.

[1969chargerrtse]

Yeah AAA told me to ask for a flat bed with the Charger.  Haven't needed it yet.  That sucks major.  So sorry.

[Charger-Bodie]

Sorry to hear about this Dan. Time to do a complete rotis resto?

[Richard Cranium]

Yep, that would ruin my day too. Hope  all works out  for you.

[MoparManJim]

Man, that could have been alot worst. Just think, the car could have really whipped around and tagged and did way more damage. 

But if you don't mind me asking... how did the other cars look after the charger tagged them? 

Just glad to hear no one was hurt though besides the cars. That's the main thing.   

[moparstuart]

wow around here you dont see anything but flat beds anymore   

[b5blue]

OH DAN! That sucks!    The last time my car was on a flatbed I about crapped my pants, the driver drove like a freaking NASCAR racer weaving in and out of traffic. I was really pissed of how big of a hurry he was in and bitched out the dispatcher. 

[azfrench]

I'm very sorry about your charger, and it's a 68 to boot.   

[sixty8charger]

   Man, that is unfortunate.  At least nobody got hurt right?

The next glass of Crown I sip will be for you...  *pouring now*

[stripedelete]

Sorry about your luck.  You're living everyone's bad dream. ....

[A383Wing]

sorry to see & hear, Dan......at least the car hit other cars and not any kids.....

[resq302]

Holy crap Dan.  Like everyone else said, fortunately no one was hurt and the damage could have been a lot worse!  You could have had an instance like me and be on a flat bed when the dumb ass driver over tightened the car down on the flatbed an had the hooks in the unibody which acted like a can opener in my front frame rails.  Needless to say, it was a AAA tow and I called and bitched to AAA and also bitched to the company.  They fixed it at their dime but just pissed me off none the less and was without the car for over a week while it was at the shop of "their choice" which I wasn't too happy about either.  They also didn't like the fact that I asked them to put the car on the lift so I could inspect their  repair job before I accepted it and signed for the job being done.

[471_Magnum]

I feel for you man. Just got done fixing the Roadrunner after a collision. Regardless of who pays for the repair, it still sucks. There is no way to reimburse for the down time, or the anxiety of making sure it gets fixed right.

That being said, take advantage the opportunity to fix some of those other things you've always been meaning to get to.

[mightywing7]

OMG!!  Sorry to hear (along with having to see the horrible pics).  Thankfully you are OK and nobody else were hurt from this unexpected mishap.  Just make sure that they absorb ALL costs (materials and labor) in getting the 68 back to its original condition before the accident.  It would be even better if they can provide some sort of retribution for the mental stress that you had to endure.....but that would be a stretch I guess.

[Dans 68]

All righty, I've had my beers, and am a lot more mellow. I'll talk to the owner of the towing company on Monday and start the mending process on the '68. I know it'll take a lot longer to get my mind right (and the sound of rending metal out of my head). The big lesson learned...next time I will insist on a flatbed truck to move my car.

I'll post more of the photos I took earlier today. Some are a bit gruesome as far as body damage, but not my car so much as the cars my '68 kissed. I feel bad for their owners as they will discover the damage when they walk up to their vehicles (all the pertinent contact info was left with their cars) and see the notes stuck under their windshields. A truly ugly Saturday.

Of course this could have been prevented if I had ridden the half mile home in my car and made sure the damn wheel didn't turn. I was a bit suspect on how the strap was used to secure the wheel.That is what I did after the collisions, naturally.

Photo one is us waiting for the tow. Photo two is right after the "hit". Note the orientation of the front wheel. Photo three is of the 2nd car we hit. Photo four is the first car hit, and it took the brunt of the impact.

Dan

[ChgrSteve67]

Damn Dan that sucks

Start looking for a good body man.

The tow company insurance should take care of all cars involved.

Of course what really sucks is not driving the charger for the rest of the summer.

-Steve

[Dans 68]

Here are a few more photos showing the damage (for the voyeurs). I imagine I'm going to have to start looking for replacement pieces...time to start searching the threads here.  

Dan

[ChgrSteve67]

Actually you need to take it apart (or the shop that will be repairing it) to find out what your going to need first.
there could be braces and brackets that have been damaged that need to be replaced.
And grill pieces that are now cracked that need to be repaired.

My cousin empailed my charger with his trailer and most of the damage was not discover till I started taking things apart.

I wonder if the tow truck driver will have a job come tomorrow.

[Dans 68]

Actually you need to take it apart (or the shop that will be repairing it) to find out what your going to need first.
there could be braces and brackets that have been damaged that need to be replaced.
And grill pieces that are now cracked that need to be repaired.

My cousin empailed my charger with his trailer and most of the damage was not discover till I started taking things apart.

I wonder if the tow truck driver will have a job come tomorrow.

Yes, you are right. But I'm not going to think about exactly what has to happen now. I'm just trying to be mellow... A few more beers may help.

And I did ask the driver, after he called his Boss, if he still had a job. His reply "Unfortunately, yes...."   

Dan

[bull]

  WTH? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I don't know why people can't use their heads, or don't care too, and spend a little time to make sure they're doing a decent job. People are either in too big a hurry or they just don't care anymore it seems. Now three innocent motorists have to deal with a bunch of nonsense because some goober can't tie a strap down properly.

Anyway, sorry about this, Dan. Next time if you have a bad feeling don't hesitate to let them know. And as said already, demand a flatbed.

[Budnicks]

  that really sucks I wish you well on your pending repairs, I'll drink a couple in memory of you tonight

[TexasStroker]

Man, sorry to see that.  At least they are going to take care of it...really sucks for the parked cars too, but not just any car gets to say a 68 Charger clipped it!  I'd wear it as a badge of honor if I was them.

[twodko]

I'm sorry to hear about this horror.    Glad you are physically OK though.

[skip68]

 .
NO!  Tell me my eyes are lying.  Dan, I can't believe the bad luck you're having this year with the 68.  So sorry to see this happen.   Time to start driving the other Charger.   

Chuck .....

[TUFCAT]

I heard the bad news from our gang at the hotel parking lot at Carlisle last night. Very sorry for you.  

[Belgium R/T -68]

Can only agree with what's has been already said Dan, keep in there.

Per

[68X426]

Hey Dan, I'm late, but my sympathy gets piled on with all the rest. 

Silver lining, you get to enter the Under Construction class at shows for a little while.

[ChgrSteve67]

Just make sure you get it fixed before Spring Fling 2012

[ACUDANUT]

Man that really sucks.  Go after his insurance. Does AMD sell '68 front fenders ?

[OldGuy]

Sorry Dan,
Worst possible place to have a dent is where yours is on the front of the fender.  Very difficult to get the lines straight again, especially the point and bend on the front.  AMD fenders work really well - but not like the original product.

[SFRT]

that sucks....sorry man.

[model maker]

Man, sorry to see that. keep us posted on the progress and how accomidating the tow company is going to be. Don't let them allow your 68 to be repaired by cheap idiots. YOU SHOULD DEMAND TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE SHOP OF YOUR CHOICE.

[tan top]

awwww nooooooooo sorry to see this Dan  crikey    could of been a lot worse  , but still bad enough 

[six-tee-nine]

Crap, it always surprises me how stupid most accidents are. After all it seems it could have been alot worse, maybe not the comment that will help your state of mind alot but imagine if those parked cars was a truck or a concrete wall.....

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Man just got back from Carlilsle & saw this.  Real sorry this happened man...my worst nightmare.

On the bright side looks like the grill survived?

[bakerhillpins]

NOOOOOOOOOOooooo    

Sorry about the mess and hope that things get resolved quickly and with as little inconvenience to you as possible.

[CB]

   wow! I can't imagine how you felt after they did that to your car, Dan.
Hope everything works out

[Dans 68]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, all.

On the bright side looks like the grill survived?

Mostly, Chris. The upper plastic insert has a missing section.

...but imagine if those parked cars was a truck or a concrete wall.....

No thanks. I already had my monthly allotment of beer this weekend.... 

Sorry Dan,
Worst possible place to have a dent is where yours is on the front of the fender.  Very difficult to get the lines straight again, especially the point and bend on the front.  AMD fenders work really well - but not like the original product.

Yep, AMD parts are in my future.

Just make sure you get it fixed before Spring Fling 2012

That is doable, Steve

Silver lining, you get to enter the Under Construction class at shows for a little while.

Gee, Thanks Dan. 

.
NO!  Tell me my eyes are lying.  Dan, I can't believe the bad luck you're having this year with the 68.  So sorry to see this happen.   Time to start driving the other Charger.   

Chuck .....

I took the '73 out for a spin just before filling up the '68, Chuck. I guess I will be taking it to the show up in Windsor in August.

...really sucks for the parked cars too, but not just any car gets to say a 68 Charger clipped it!  I'd wear it as a badge of honor if I was them.

I drove by yesterday afternoon and it appeared that the front car had not yet been visited by it owner - the contact info was still under the windshield. I really don't want to let them know that it was my Charger that clipped them. I don't think that they would think it was a honor to be visited by my '68.... 

Holy crap Dan.  Like everyone else said, fortunately no one was hurt and the damage could have been a lot worse!  You could have had an instance like me and be on a flat bed when the dumb ass driver over tightened the car down on the flatbed an had the hooks in the unibody which acted like a can opener in my front frame rails.  Needless to say, it was a AAA tow and I called and bitched to AAA and also bitched to the company.  They fixed it at their dime but just pissed me off none the less and was without the car for over a week while it was at the shop of "their choice" which I wasn't too happy about either.  They also didn't like the fact that I asked them to put the car on the lift so I could inspect their  repair job before I accepted it and signed for the job being done.

We'll see today what the Tow Company will do. I will probably get AAA involved as it was their contractor that participated in the crash.

Sorry to hear about this Dan. Time to do a complete rotis resto?

The thought crossed my mind. It needs to ferment for a while....

At least it wasn't a deer jumping out in front of you.... 

True. The grill just has a little damage. Your "incident" was a horror, Paul.

yep -  I only flat bed as well....

That sucks Dan -   but look on the bright side...    not your fault, no one got hurt, and you'll get a nice check to fix it...

Yep, and as far a a nice check we'll see. 




Dan

[model maker]

It's a good thing the tow truck driver didn't "flip" your charger ! what would have happened then ? would they try to total it for a low fiqure ?

[resq302]

Dan,

If I were you I would involve AAA immediately!  At least make them aware of what happened and this way if the tow company will not foot the bill, AAA should since they were the initial company notified and who contracted out the tow service.  I know with mine, if they (the tow company) did not fix it to my satisfaction, AAA would have dropped them from being AAA certified towing.

[Dans 68]

I did, Brian, and was told by the AAA rep that if I did not hear from the Tow Company presently to call the AAA claims number - as I have been a member for over 30 years and the Tow Company is insured through AAA I don't envision much of a hassle. Just a bit heartbreaking to see her hurt....

Dan

[resq302]

Dan, I can imagine.  I have had my share of heartache with my charger too.  I even had an instance where back I think around 2006 when I was redoing the front suspension and putting the correct 4 piston brake set up back on my car, it had a little incident with a bottle jack on the k-frame on my 4 post lift and somewhat fell off of the lift.  So, yes it hurts like hell emotionally to see our pride and joy damaged, but in the end, they are just cars and can be repaired back to what they once were.....sometimes better than what they were before!

[Dans 68]

Here is an update. The appraiser came out today and took a look at the damage; the estimate to repair it is attached. What do you experts think?    I'll be calling my shop tomorrow, will forward this estimate and hopefully drop off the car soon. This continuing "adventure"should be thread worthy for a couple of months.   

Dan

[Charger-Bodie]

Pretty skimpy on the labor times. What kinda damage is on the hood that it would only need 1.2 hours refinish? They are obviously planning to spot repair whatever it is. I wouldnt accept that. Is the finish on the car single stage or base clear?

[471_Magnum]

Looks like they are missing some significant R&I time too.

[Rolling_Thunder]

agreed -  R&I time is missing...    also...    looks as if your hood got a slight paint chipping on it...     replace fender and all that jazz looks ok -  the biggie I don't see is the removal of the grille and more importantly the fixing of the grille. You stated a piece of the backing is broken ? 

Also - the front bumper is hammered to the passenger side..  I could imagine the bracket on the driver's side that bolts to the fender is significantly bent...    New bumper bolt on that side (minimum) ---    The R&I times definitely need to be calculated in there. especially since you don't want just anyone working on your baby...     

[ChgrSteve67]

Is this the Insurance company apraiser?
I would figure you would take it to the body shop of your choice and get a cost estimate.

I think it would be hard to find someone to repair it for under 3k

[Charger-Bodie]

There also is nothing on the estimate to replace the thick undercoating on the underside of the fenders. The r&i for the grille alone will be more than the 3.0 they are allowing for the fender. No blends. No tint. No corrosion protection.

[bull]

Sounds like you'd better ship that thing to Waukon, Iowa for the repair, Dan.

[TUFCAT]

Sounds like you'd better ship that thing to Waukon, Iowa for the repair, Dan.

[Johnny SixPack]

Just read the thread, and all I can say is I hope they make it right for you, Dan.

So sorry to hear they let her get beat up on like that.

It's great that there's so many knowledgeable folks here to add advice and insights though.

Best of luck in all of this.

[model maker]

They BETTER NOT give you any crap about it either, after all, it was the tow truck drivers fault ! They better not try & take the cheap way out, that would add insult to injury

[dkn1997]

I'd insist on a new fender and hood. I think the grill repair alone would be barely be covered by the 2500. 

I'm not a bodyman, but I know a little something about this