Wrecked restored charger...

[Calif240]

Like the title says... 69 Charger got hit tonight. Lady ran a red light. Destroyed front of car forward of firewall... Her fault, she ran a red. Looking for any recommendations to ensure I don't screwed on this... Already know to document all improvements to adjuster, but a lot was done by myself, is bodywork and paint... Heartbroken... Appreciate any advice and will try to attach photos.

[Baldwinvette77]

oh god... 

[Fred]

So sorry to hear this. Best of luck with it all.

[rave_12000]

not a whole lot you can do but give your statement truthfully for "at fault" determination.  more difficult part may be determining the cost of repair for insurance.  how do you put a value on a 69 charger grille?

I have a few extra parts laying around...when the time comes.  

sux though.  I feel your pain.  had mine stolen about a month ago.  feels bad.

[JB400]

Sad to hear that.  I guess the question is, are you wanting to try to rebuild the car?  If so, I'd start to figure out what it will cost to fix it by figuring it up yourself.  Talk to places that have a frame puller that can put it back to factory specs.  Also, grab an AMD catalog and start pricing sheet metal.  Once you have an estimate of what it will cost, it'll give you an idea of whether or not the insurance agents are trying to screw you.

I say that as long as the firewall and the a pillars aren't damaged, your car should be repairable.  Frame rails and inner fenders are available reproduction.  Same with the core support.  Several resto shops that deal strictly with mopar have chassis jigs that they can put your car on and get everything squared up right.  If the firewall and a pillars are damaged, you basically have to sacrifice another car to fix yours.

Sorry it had to happen.  Get some quotes and don't just settle for an amount.  They either owe you for fixing this one, or for another car.

One other thing:  SAVE AS MANY PIECES OF THE GRILLE AS YOU CAN.

[myk]

Sad to hear that.   I guess the question is, are you wanting to try to rebuild the car?  If so, I'd start to figure out what it will cost to fix it by figuring it up yourself.  Talk to places that have a frame puller that can put it back to factory specs.  Also, grab an AMD catalog and start pricing sheet metal.  Once you have an estimate of what it will cost, it'll give you an idea of whether or not the insurance agents are trying to screw you or not.

I say that as long as the firewall and the a pillars aren't damaged, your car should be repairable.  Frame rails and inner fenders are available reproduction.  Same with the core support.  Several resto shops that deal strictly with mopar have chassis jigs that they can put your car on and get everything squared up right.  If the firewall and a pillars are damaged, you basically have to sacrifice another car to fix yours.

Sorry it had to happen.  Get some quotes and don't just settle for an amount.  They either owe you for fixing this one, or for another car.

One other thing:  SAVE AS MANY PIECES OF THE GRILLE AS YOU CAN.

Wise words.

'OP I'm sorry to hear about this; I hope that you are physically fine and that the car will soon begin its road to recovery...

[tan top]

  oh crikey     glad your ok  ,   bet she was on the damn phone    ,   sorry to hear about your charger ,

[DC_1]

Something simular happened to this guy last year

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,91812.0.html

[Old Tired Rebel]

Sorry to hear, hope everyone is ok.

[Calif240]

Yeah... I'm fine. Lady who hit me was taken to hospital... She was doing about 55 when she met Detroit steel, so wasn't in a good position. Hoping she's ok... Thanks for the suggestions... All good advice and appreciated... Trying to load photos but having trouble shrinking between my insurance calls and all...

[Dino]

I'm very sorry to hear.  I've repaired many bent front ends on all sorts of cars and trucks so I'll help where I can to get it back on the road.  I'm glad you're okay physically and I hope the lady will be alright, regardless of what she did. 

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Agreed Value Insurance Policies are the way to go... Otherwise, the burden of proof (for value) is on the owner. Good luck 

[Todd Wilson]

Try to document everything about your car and get on the internet and find Chargers comparable to yours for sale and print those out. Might even have some junkers printed as well so show what the values of these cars are.


Todd

[bull]

My advice, don't let her insurance company push you around and cut corners. Get a top notch shop that knows how to fight for you and knows Mopars. I would also recommend you find a restoration shop rather than just a regular body shop. There are some that do both.

These days extensive repairs on Chargers is pretty common.

[Calif240]

Here is the picture. I think the front passenger frame and everything is fine... not so sure about the driver side. Just curious as to what you guys think the car would be valued at and what the damage is? I know these would vary depending on who you talk to, but you guys are much more experienced and knowledgable than I... the car is a 1969, non-numbers matching. It had all new body work and paint (1 yr) all new correct interior, Hotchkis suspension, Moser Dana Rear, fully rewired, basically full restored but not numbers matching.

Appreciate all of you guys taking the time to give the advice... been a bad 24 hours 

[JB400]

Value wise, I say somewhere between $25k and $35k.

Parts list:  Grille
               Grille support
               Left fender, maybe right???
               Hood
               left inner fender
               upper a arm
               Lower control arm
               bumper brackets
               bumper
                valance

At least it can be fixed

[myk]

Who's your insurance provider, 'OP?  Are they taking care of you so far?

[miamivice]

So sorry to see this.   glad you are ok though!

Like myk said, who's your insurance provider? ...if you have collectors car insurance, you should be ok re: value/repairs.

and like Bull said, go to a restoration shop, not just a regular body shop.   

[Calif240]

I've got Grundy collector car insurance. They are supposed to get back to me on Monday. The accident happened on Friday at 6pm, so because their claims experts aren't in until Monday, I won't know.

[Calif240]

OH also... for those of you that follow NBA/sports... The Indiana Pacers starting center Roy Hibbert witnessed the accident and got out to help... kinda funny, but really classy move on his part. Really nice guy. He's on my police report... haha

[469 runner]

I have Grundy Insurance, unfortunately had to file a claim once.  They took very good care of me.  Let me choose the repair shop, and since it was a shop that specialized in restorations I couldn't pin them down to a firm price on fixing the car.  Grundy told the shop to fix it and fix it right.  All was well handled. 

Sorry to see your car.  It will come back and be better than ever.

[cudaken]

 Whole Shit, it knocked off the 01 from the door!

To me, it does not look that bad, but I ran body-shops for 20 years. Well, I should say it looks to be repairable.

Long time ago when our cars really where not worth anything my 68 Road Runner got hit in the same fashion except it was parked. (Mine was still drivable) Took it to the kids insurances appraiser for the claim. They told me Car is worth $500.00, we will give you $300.00 and let you keep it. Fuck them!

Went to North Side Chrysler and paid $100.00 deposit for needed parts (Had no idea how I was going to afford the balances) and went back to them. I had a copy of Traders Times, bill for the parts and my Tech school body shop certificate.

Threw down the Trader Times and said Find me a running 68 Road Runner for $500! (Hemi cars where $2500.00 back then). Then showed him my bill for the parts and my certificate and said "Your choose is to pay me the $1500.00 now or wait till I am done with the repair and I will sue your company for $2500.00!    

Walked out with a check.  

Looking forward to see how the repairs go.

     Cuda Ken

[Calif240]

Haha, thanks Cuda Ken...you're joking about the '01, but it really did knock off the numbers...

I have the car fully orange with the Black R/T stripe and no GL graphics or anything else painted or applied permanently. I have industrial flat magnets that I put on for a week here or there and for Halloween, certain other events, etc. Had them on yesterday with the exception of the battle flag because I didn't want my HR department at work having any reason to say anything...The impact knocked the door magnets off immediately. Both numbers flew about 30 feet off of the car. The magnets are actually a good solution for me because I don't want it always being a General Lee and want it many times just to be an R/T orange Charger.

[oldcarnut]

Had them on yesterday with the exception of the battle flag because I didn't want my HR department at work having any reason to say anything...

I don't quite get that one    Any reason to say what?

[MoparManJim]

At what angel was you hit at? reason I ask is because the bumper is not bent at all but only for the driver side flat side. It's all that is cave/push in.   

Head on hit, would have killed the whole front end, it looks to me like you got nailed while making a turn going left.