koolctk

iTrader: (6)

This past Friday afternoon I went to get my Alston sub frames installed (they did my muffler for a good price with nice welds and had given me a decent quote for the connectors). We get the car up on the lift and I help them get the sub frame connectors in place, loosen a few bolts and let them start welding. I am talking with the businesses owner and periodically checking the welds and seeing how things are coming along. The welder had been welding for a couple minutes and I remember the fact that the carpet might burn, so I ask the welder to stop for just a minute.

I get up on the lift and get in the car and look around to make sure everything is okay made sure the was no problems with the carpet etc.. I get out of the car and off the lift, making sure to leave the door open about a foot, just in case. The welder goes back to work filling in the welds and I decide to just relax and keep an eye on my car.

I continue to just chill for another 10 minutes before I decide to check out the welds again. The car is fine sitting on the lift showing no signs for me to worry about in regards of the carpet smoking or singeing as I walk under the car. About 20 seconds pass I walk out from under the car, and I see white smoke coming from the door.

I pull the door open and get hit with a ton of smoke, I turn to the welder and say “Where’s a fire extinguisher!”

10 seconds later the welder is on a stool with an extinguisher, by this time there is a flame in between the center console and the driver seat. He pulls the safety and squeezes the handle, and to my dismay NOTHING COMES OUT.

The Welder run to the other side of the shop and grabs another extinguisher while I check to make sure that the first one he tried was really out. He runs back over, climbs on a stool, pulls the safety and squeeze, squeeze…….squeeze some more, and to my frustrated dismay NOTHING COMES OUT.

The Owner of business grabs a hose form the far corner of the shop and frantically tries to turn it on and spray. By now the flames had spread throughout the whole interior and black smoke fill the entire shop. The hose was no use so the four of us (including the owner’s daughter) run out of the shop, and through the 20ft by 20ft rear garage door watch the whole car become engulfed in flames as we try to dial 911.

I stop for a second after I get put on hold, And just think ‘Its ****ing Gone’.

I run half way around the block to a transmission shop that had a land line, call 911 and got the fire department dispatched. I look around the corner and see the Fire House, only 10 seconds away from the burning car, as they arrive a few minutes later they start to put out my car, sitting 10 ft up in the air on the lift burning.
They start to question me and it hits me, I had bottle of nitrous in the rear about 75% full. Later after they remove the bottle they hand it to me and it weighs maybe 13 pounds, the fire chief told me that bottles like that will just open up after a certain psi is reached expelling whatever gas is inside, in my case the fire chief just said that is fueled the fire for a minute until they got there and put a hose on it. They finally get the car to just a smolder and let it sit for a while on the lift letting it cool.

After the fire department left the welder cleaned what he could before we lowered the lift and pushed the car out to the back of the shop. I look inside, and nothing is left, my back pack (with an essay, some calculus homework, a few books, and my Ipod ) and various other things in the car, all gone, burn down to charcoal and dust.




I have pics, which this thread deserves, I can email them to someone if somebody know how to upload them (I tried zero tactic and the pics came out huge and a little blurry)

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

Sorry to here that. I hope the shop plans to help out some $ wise. The welder should have known to pull the carpet back. They'll probably be fined for having empty extinguishers too.

Why not just upload the pics here?

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

the pics I have are either to big to upload or they are from my phone and aren't in the right format, I dont now how to convert them to another format.

3.492rs

man that sux

kairles

iTrader: (2)

damn sorry to hear that. is the shop Insured? they gonna pay for the car?

I think I would have killed someone if that was me





you can email me the pics

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Wow, now that's a shame. I wouldn't wish that upon anybody.
Especially a nice clean GTA as it was.

Is the car pretty much a loss now?
Nobody had a phone there, wtf?!
What shop is this?

So where did you leave it with them as far as responsibility, as in is this covered by their insurance, etc?

If you want to email them to me I'll get them configured and sent back.

OUTATIMEGTA@aol.com

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

I sent the pics to Del, I didn’t know your email Terrell.

The shop had insurance, and they are in the midst of appraising the GTA and hitting me with an initial offer.

I didn’t try to put blame on anyone the day of, but everyone there was pissed that it happened as well.

The car itself is pretty much gone, most of the engine and the tranny is fine, as well as the rims, but other that that it would take a lot of work to restore this car.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Holy crap.

That baby is done.

1 less GTA in the world.

I'm also bummed I never got the chance to whoOp you with mine.

Well I hope you get what you want out of it.

Keep us posted.

kairles

iTrader: (2)

DAMN after seeing the pics I know they would have been prying my hands from around someones neck.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

I can't even fathom that happening to my car.

Kelley Blue is only going to show 4K range, so I'm definitely curious to hear what the initial offer is.
It had low miles and you probably dropped another 2K into it since buying I'm sure.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

wow...

sorry to hear that cameron thats a sad loss she was real clean gta

dont take anything less than 5K

what shop did the work?

vindeezl

iTrader: (2)

Nightmare!

With all the GTA's burning up I'm glad I have a Camaro!

I'm happy I haven't installed SFC's now... eh, but I still need them and maybe I'll just remove my interior and bring a known good fire extinguisher when I get those done. I dunno.

I'd sue "Habib's Auto Werk" if they don't give you what you want, for one aren't they by law supposed to have those extinguishers checked bi-annualy or something like that? And, in the fray you might just have burnt yourself and be in excruciating ($$$) pain

Vin

Cadillac

I'm so sorry Cam. I can't think of worse things to happen.

joecautela

iTrader: (1)

WOW! sorry for your loss

Daniel U

Sorry for your loss. I hope that you're able to get into another 3rd gen with the insurance check. Do any of the SFC's come with any instructions? Is this something that has happened before? Were the welds too long/hot? I was going to go with Spohn SFC's. Are they installed in the same area? Should i remove all of the isulation/carpet beforehand? Should the welds be cooled with water? Again, I hope you are able to find another clean Pontiac.

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

Trust me I will get every penny I want from this situation, and I have plenty of supporting evidence.

These were Alston Sub frame connectors, and it did not stay in the instructions of a fire. They weld in the back by the LCA and then straight to the transmission crossmember. The shop man cooled the welds with water, but I gues that didn't help.

If anyone has them installed, the only way I see prevention w/o carpet removal is to have both doors wide open and a two fans (1 under car and 1 in the car) and someone watching the inside very carefully.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

I have the Spohns and we lifted just the outer edges of the carpet by the doors after removing the side plastics.

What shop is this? You didn't tell us.

What do you want out of the whole mess, 10K?

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

The shop is Ace Muffler on Fair Oaks, across from a Kragen between Marconi and Engle.

I have found about 8 cars that are similar in year, mileage, and condition that have prices that range from 10k to 18k, and i had about $700 worth of stuff in the car. It is an insurance company so all I can do is push until I have no room or reason left in which to push for my money.

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

My dad used to work at that muffler shop. I think, ironicly it was called "firehouse muffler" at 1 point.
Well when they read the Fire report and it says that the nitrous was in there and helped fuel the fire they might be hesitant to pay. Hopefully you get what you want.
What thirdgens have you found that were 10-18k? How much did you pay for yours?

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

I found several GTA's and a couple Formula's that were very clean from Auto trader and various newspapers. There are also many more that are in the 8K to 9K range but were as clean as mine nor had a many upgrades.

And I found out today that in the fire report that it said there was a nitrous bottle but that it was empty and had no effect on the fire.

Gallileo60

Man dude, i really feel for you...Sorry...Hope you at least get something out of it...

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Haha, I know that joint, out in DPH.
I went there 7-8 years ago for an exhaust weld on my Firebird.
Ghetto-fab.

I think he got his GTA for a steal, 3.5-4K?
I'm sure you'll net much more than that.
10-18K though, not so much.

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

I found cars that are asking 10K to 18K, dont know what the intial offer will be but whatever it is, I will definately push higher.

5678TA

holy crap, sorry for the loss.. i had something like that happen to me.. but not that bad.. it was only the back half of the car.. my dad was stripping the paint off the car and put it in a cardboard box under the car for the night.. about an hour later, i hear a boom.. thought it was just my dad dropping the soap in the shower, till i see my neighbors hot wife come in our house screaming that our house was on fire.. i was like, hi.. what are you doing in my house?? then i look outside to see smoke pouring out of our storage/warehouse.. blew both tires, fuel lines gone, brake lines gone, rear coils were about 5" tall, shattered the back glass, bushings all gone, and toasted all the wiring.. luckily we stripped everything out of the car.. had to spend another 20+ hours sanding off carpet ash from the 1/4 panels.. inside and out.. we laid the glass back on for the night with pieces of carpet..

oh the best part was that our district was having problems with water pressure.. i think my **** could produce more pressure than the hose.. and we had fire extinguishers right next to the car.. lucky those didnt blow up..

all i can say, is push for all you can get.. then suck it up and start over..

1TUF92Z

Oh damn, sorry that happened. I find it hard to beleive that this happened. The person welding must not have an experienced it this part to install. I have the same SFCs and I was not worried about getting it welded because the weld spot is pretty far from the carpet unless you just keep welding the damn thing. Del has the Spohns and yes those are even more scarier to weld in. The spot welds were on the floor board. Del's car also start to smoke when we were installing it but I was up there watching inside the car.

1TUF92Z

I bet you cried when you got home. I WOULD cry too if it happened to my car.

chingon88cam

i feel so bad for you and your car bro.
one thing i've learned from my crash last year was to keep pushing for as much as i could get, and to do reasearch on my own so when i talked to the insurance they knew, I KNEW my shiet.
i wasn't gonna strip my car totally when i got my UMI sfc's but now i'm even taking the t-tops off when i take mine in, maybe even drive the car to the shop on a milk crate
Good luck!

Daniel U

Make sure that you're given the option to buy back your car(for the good parts). My '84 was shipped to a Hollywood wrecking yard before I told them I wanted to buy mine back. I got $1800 for mine and got to keep this.....R.I.P.

I pulled the entire power train and used the trans. and rear in my '54. I sold the doors/rear hatch. The Griffin radiator was saved and is in my '88.
Not sure what your's is worth to you, but just somthing to think about.

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

No Bennie I didn't cry, although for a guy my age with a car like that might be a good enough excuse to. I just hope it doesn't come out all at once and I beat the shiet out of someone or do something I regret.

The worst part is that I am not going to find a car just like that one for the deal I got and while working at a paint shop, and that car itself cannot be replaced.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

I remember a little smoldering, but Alex was quick with the water.

Exactly. That guy gave you too good a deal, plus the cheap paint job.
There's many 3rd gens out there if you're going to get another.

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

Yes, but its going to be very hard to find a CA black hard top with black interior with that many niles and in that nice a condition, its seems I will never find another thirdgen like that, so I am just going to sleep on it until I at least get the settlement from insurance.

Comp788

WOW sorry to hear of your loss. I have put in more SFC then I can think of and many times people have complained about the amount of time it takes but you should always pull up the carpet before you weld in SFC.

When I quoted 87tpi about putting in his SFC's I told him up front that his carpet had to be be pulled back.

I hate to see things like this happen!!

Screamin86

iTrader: (1)

wow sorry to hear about that man im kinda glad my car has no carpet at the moment its not goin in till atleast summer hits so that way i can get the new pan put in along with sfc, sorry about your loss man just to let ya know i would have cried i love my thirdgen

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

i dont think the miles should be a problem for you i mean you drive it every day not like its gonna stay low miles very long

just dont buy a ford or import

good luck getting what you want

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

I did drive it daily but only put 1500 miles on it for the six months I owned it, inlcuding the trip back from Porterville, and the car would be garaged while I am away at college for say 4 to 5 years, it would see friving time but not that much.

0uTcast13

hey man sorry about your car hope u find another 1 bro good luck

1TUF92Z

Saw it today....damn it is burnt beyond recognition(interior). I was thinking of turning it into a track car but the roof is deformed from the heat. DAMN IT I want my money back.............. Cameron and I cried and ........cried...cried...cried. He went through a roll of toilet paper wiping his tears.

I'll find out this week what I am going to do to this car. Let the bids.....begin......going once...twice...sold. BJ style baby...hahahaha
----------
Oh by the way, watch out. This kid got some serious plan on the next car. He is already asking me on the labor.

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

What's the status on your claim Cam?

Serious plans for the next one huh?
I hope it doesn't involve any welding.

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

or nitrous.

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

Yes, serious plans. If its a Bird, it will be an easy 11s daily driver kind of car (you still dont like nitrous Steve, I still pick it over a blower or tubo).

I will talk to the insurance guy tomarrow and he said he will probably be able to throw me a number. With the money I know I will be getting, I am 80% sure it will be a 89-92 black GTA or TA, but I am still playing with the idea of getting a Vette or a motorcycle, I really dont know yet. That was thee car; I have looked and looked, and I still only want that car. So hopefully I will find something I like.

And Del, I saw that you are selling your SLP intake, I guess your stock one must flow better, or is it something else (wink wink, nudge nudge).

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

Get a 'vette, I'll really look fwd to showing you my taillights then, haha.

I know you're a 'bird fan over 'maros, so that would also be nice to see another one.

Yeah I sold the SLP for $175 on eBay.
Uhh, yeah, the stocker flows great!

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

OUTATIME GTA

iTrader: (2)

We'll see about that.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

i dont think you could afford the insurance on that kid

not to mention you could only fit 1 girl vs 3 in a bird

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

This is Cameron we're talking about, I don't think girls will be a problem.

A little cocky

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

was it a young kid welder or an older guy with a gut and black hair?

the older guy is kind of a **** but did good work for me always the young kid did work on my truck and it was crap made the olderguy/owner redo it and fix it.


i just put 2 and 2 together when i drove by and saw smoke on the building last night. i was thinking of the mufflershop on fair oaks by the family fitness center

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

Whoa, low blow there Steve (but I still laughed).

Yes the statement about the Vette still beating Del was a little cocky, but an Lt1 with a 125 shot and full exhuast is a mid 11's car, and no offense Del but you still have the stock pistons in there only giving you the ability for 8 to 10 pounds, right? which wont give you more than a second and a half.

And eric, nice looking out with the 3 vs 1 girl with the cars, but that one girl will be a whole lot better looking and give better head than the 3 girls combined, in which case I would take quality over quantity any time.

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

Well then I'll have to run ya. Once I get my 3500 stall and my 3.73's It should be a good race.

koolctk

iTrader: (6)

I think your car will run high 11's, the vette would still take you, but that rally doesn't matter becuase the insurance would be so high I would pay off the vette in full but have to take out a loan just to pay the insurance (just too high for my males my age)

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

I'm not impressed with vettes. I woul take one if it was given to me but I wouldn't waste the money, unless it was a c5 or 6.