Way too nice a car not to fix. Still has single stage water based enamel. Some panels are original paint, some were repainted years ago. Van Nuys build. Car was presentable as was, but a 10 footer with what I consider nice patina of blemishes all around. Even the original stripes were good enough despite very much showing their age.
I had to beat it out with a mall over the wheel to get it home, so was actually pushed in more than photos show. The Lamborghini photo was pre-damage by about 48 hours.
I think that can be repaired with some body work to the panel. I would rather fix it then start replacing panels. A good body man will get that straight again.
Whoever you take it too, try to find work that they have done on none-daily driven cars. Lots of shops just want to replace panels and shoot paint and to be honest what beginner can't do that? I'd find out what filler they use because it's almost a sure thing that unless its a custom body shop they will be using some amount of filler. If it's a show car and you can't research their work I would see if you can find a coating thickness tester to ensure they just didn't use filler over everything.
Thanks for the help. Next will seek prices from different shops depending on their capabilities.
Fix dent, repaint part of car blending into roof and door (no price yet from this very experienced body man).
Replace with patch panel, strip entire car and repaint (no price yet from this experienced restoration shop.)
So, in other words, I've talked to two shops, but have not yet requested written estimates. I expect a huge difference between the prices.
There is a third private shop, too, with an experienced body man that I anticipate would fix the dent. This shop is out of town where I store it for winter, so will get the first two written options before bringing it to number three for opinion/estimate.
If you can be anywhere near Brooklyn Park, MN, get up to see Dave at Modern Auto Body on 85th Ave. They used to do work on my cars and have done fantastic work. I just stopped in to see Dave in July. Tell him I sent you. He will do exactly what you want. He may even tell you not to do what you want to preserve the vehicle.
I went to him with my IROC-Z when I got it and asked him to wetsand the orange peel out of the car. He refused to do it saying that the car was too "correct" and sanding/polishing would ruin the car. So, he opted to not do what I wanted him to do. Puma1552 has also taken cars to Modern Auto Body and can vouch for their quality.
hopefully can improve the car after this incident. my dad did it by driving a moving truck too close. he'll cover his mistake. i would potentially add to that to get more done, and perhaps get it closer to a very good car.
i liked what it was, and the patina and character. but i don't think that's an option any more. any partial fix will be difficult to blend with the rest of the car.
I had an outie dent in a qtr. panel of a GM 80s car. I took it out with paint removal, and a big shrinking disc. on a HF grinder. It's work, but it made me a believer.
My point is your damage is repairable. Without bondo. I like the sound of Scott's recommended shop - will do what you need done, or better advise.
