DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

So 3 years ago on December 30th I got my 1988 Firebird Formula Fixed. It got hit in the drivers side front. On New Years eve me and my girlfriend were on our way to see a movie. I had driven my car a lot that day and never experienced an issue. I was going about 25-30 mph and hit black ice. I almost had it corrected but I still slid off the road into a huge pole. We both got checked out and left the hospital later that night. So now i'll be starting all over, I was almost ready to drop my turbo 5.3 in it this winter too. I have a frame machine/puller in my garage and a 1987 IROC parts car. Using those I believe I can get her back together again. This time around I will make sure its a lot safer. The floors bent and the roof is higher in the front than the rear, but my dad has fixed A LOT worse. He cut 2 Lincolns in half and made 1 nice car out of it. Anyways she will be back and better than before, I can promise that! She means too much to me and I have too much in it to let her go. If you guys have any advice let me know, thanks! I'll keep this updated the best I can throughout the build process.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

That looks a lot worse than a 25-30 mph hit. Sorry to see. At least you both checked out okay. What movie?

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Yeah its hard to believe but thats how fast I was going. It was a huge pole and I don't even think it hurt the pole. It was right off the road is the thing. The movie was Daddys Home, I think I'll wait and rent it now lol!

FirebirdUSX

wow just 30mph ?Why the heck it bent like that?I can't figure out where it bent ...it looks like somehow the energy of the impact bent the middle of the car but how the heck is that possible at such a low speed and without pushing the interior ...The firewall seems fine.Do you have a inside pic ...it looks really scary.

that looked so nice.I remember the vids on youtube (I'm a subscriber).I loved how stock looked with the double pin stripe.Hope you somehow get it back like it was.

the_nikfive

Woe, that brings bad memories for me.....At least you both are ok, wich is the most important!!!

mjdavis68

iTrader: (1)

man....stop, wasted time..the car will NEVER be right regardless of tools and experience. Get a shell and transplant

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

@FirebirdUSX It was basically a 3300 lb car hitting a solid pole and coming to a complete stop. The car did its job and crumpled like it needed too. The interior is tweaked, look hard at the seats and you will see they don't sit right anymore. I don't have an interior picture but when I have the chance I'll get one. And thats awesome you saw some videos, I'll have to make some during the rebuild!

@the_nikfive Yes! I'm glad we were going slow enough. Any faster and it could have been a lot worse! My girlfriend was just laying there with the wind knocked out of her saying shes worried about the car (everyone knows how much I love it) and I just had to remind her I can fix it.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Wasted time? No. You're exactly right it'll never be the same, it'll be even better!

FirebirdUSX

If you can fix it even if you change bodies or something and can make it alot safer go for it.I'd love to see more vids.THe car in those vids looked like it was from showroom .I'm sure subframe connectors would have made the floors alot stiffer.I see newer cars take the impact but don't deform beyond A pillars that meant the whole structure floors ,A pillar ,roof are reinforced.If you have the skills ,tools and courage to fix this I can only tip my hat to you sir.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

I'll will for sure put subframe connectors, a cage, and harness back in the car! Thanks for the support FirebirdUSX.

Heres some pictures of a car my dad has fixed, if you put a car back to factory specs and what not how will it never be the same? I can't find the picture of the Lincoln completed but I can assure you its out there somewhere right now. Anyone can doubt me but I'm determined and this car will be perfect when its done.

fervernt

Can't say I would ever try to fix that, I'd cut my losses at that point. But I understand loving your car, as I'm sure a lot of us do, and if you have the know-how and tools to do it, more power to you! Looking forward to seeing how it goes

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man, its crossed my mind that I should just let it go. I just don't have the heart to.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Heres what I have so far gathered up in my garage to fix it (I have much more than whats in these pictures, I just don't have them at my house) and my Turbo 5.3. Also theres a picture of the dash.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Dang Bevis. I'm glad you both are ok. Let me know if you need anything or help if I can. Txt me updates.
(hope it didn't bend my A arms ;-) )

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I'll for sure keep you updated and see if need anything/help. Honestly I think the A arms survived it! I was concerned about those lol!!

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

Not sure why but this movie scene came to mind...



I wish you the best of luck with the car - going to take some mad skills to get that back together!

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Yes haha!! Thats one of my most favorite movie scenes! and thanks!

FirebirdUSX

Holy crap the floor seems fine but the stuffs inside the dash popped over the passenger's feet....It looks like the engine pushed the transmission tunnel up and the dash crached....this is crazy

I think it would have been alot stiffer if the car was not a t top.

when you take out the interior take a pic with the shell .It will help everyone how these cars absorb crashes.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

I'll make sure to get plenty of pictures! I'm amazed my mint dash pad didnt break, hopefully I can get it out with no issues

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

The insurance adjuster will be here tomorrow afternoon. Since the car is over 9 years old and definitely totaled, I have the option to keep it thank god. I have my Trans Am cleaned off and ready to go in my outdoor car tent so I can get the Formula on the frame puller!

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

The insurance adjuster came yesterday and got some pictures of it. So I finally got to tear into it last night and today. Here's what is taken off so far, next will be getting to the engine to pull it out

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

Yup, that's a project!

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

What did the adjuster say??

FirebirdUSX

The firewall seems fine which means the crumple zone in this cars is the floor....wtf
Guess SFC are now must have.

PurelyPMD

iTrader: (3)

Good news & bad news, first the bad news...

Your car is totaled, we'll figure out a low ball value for you and send a check.

Now the good news, we really don't want it so we'll let you buy it back for just a couple of dollars and give you a Salvage Title.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

that's how it works to. crappy.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Pretty much lol! He basically came and took some pictures of it. Said he had a 1974 Trans Am 400 4 speed. He seemed to know a little bit about the older firebirds too asking if it had the digital dash and what not. But anyways they are actually going to try and actually find parts and write an estimate. So I probably wont hear from them until tomorrow or possibly today. At one point the car was insured for an agreed value, hopefully I can get close to that. We will see.

I'll have to add some more pictures later for you guys to see. Always interesting to see how they crumple in certain accidents. Don't quote me but I believe a frame rail broke loose from the floor. I'm looking at adding a set of Detroit Speed sub frame connectors when I get that far

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

I'll have to double check but I believe my title will remain rebuilt. Anyways here is what we got done so far today. Might go out later tonight and mess with it some more. My girlfriend and I got the rest of the impact absorber out of the way and that allowed her to get the radiator out. Pulled a few accessories off. Almost ready to pull the engine and transmission out.







Gotta have a supervisor!

FirebirdUSX

Yea the rusty spot was first to fail.Guess this is the "living" proof that rust makes cars less safer.Some good SFC would have probably kept the passenger compartment intact.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Wow, sure looks like more than 25-30 mph bevis !!!

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

It really does look like I was going faster but I swear I wasn't lol!

Engine still tried to crank over and run!

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

If you don't believe me heres a 30 mph crash test on a 1990. Same damage and looks like even worse damage. Only difference is I hit a huge pole

FirebirdUSX

The roof didn't bend up and it looks like that car had a v6 which is important because the car had alot more room to absorb the impact .

some newer cars have boron steel around the roof/floor /firewall that prevent that type of intrusion inside the car.Now its alot of work to reinforce the interior like that without being visible ...a roll cage will always be visible and to build it through the car structure is work not sunday walk in the park

I looked and found http://www.poconorecord.com/article/...NEWS/110419876

that guy died ....that type of crash is tested now by IIHS and its called small overlap crash test ..These cars need SFC and whatever is that called for the roof ...the long nose should do the rest.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

I believe in that crash test the top of the roof went up as you can tell the front is much higher than the rear. Sub frame connectors on these cars are a must, I'll probably add a roll cage when I get that far also.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Got word today there were 2 more accidents where I wrecked that same night. The city finally put salt on the road that night.

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

I got to say you are braver than me for attempting to fix that, I would of cut my losses and pulled all the salvageable parts off and found myself another. Very interested to see how the frame puller works out on this.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Very sorry to see this happened. Best wishes on the repairs. Hope to see it cruising around Springfield soon.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Yeah finding another car would be the easiest route but maybe I'm just crazy lol. It really wouldn't satisfy me though knowing it's what money bought and not what I built. Plus I've got that frame puller and another shell so I can get it done!

Thanks! You'll definitely see an improved version of it cruising Springfield in the future!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Another springfield guy? Nifty

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Ex. But I still get home a couple of times a year to visit. Was just there at New Years.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Nice, I'm a little south of the big city.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, I'd like to catch up with the two of you if I'm home this summer. My oldest brother met DD9 at one of the local shows / cruises.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, anytime. Could have a GTG at my bird house if you don't mind a little drive.

mjdavis68

iTrader: (1)

By the time you fix that your GF will have a new BF

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Yes! I believe he has the blueish Mazda RX8. Would be nice to get a few together for a cookout or meet.

Actually shes been putting in as much work as I have on it. She likes cars too!

FirebirdUSX

where you find those women ?Tell more for us mortals
I can't even imagine my girlfriend to fix cars...heck that would be like a boyfriend

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

My wife spins wrenches as well. She helped her dad all the time b4..

kymmee

We are small in numbers, but ARE out there. I was at the drag strip with my dad as young as 2 yrs old. He was a mechanic on a top fuel team. Life would not be normal without cars.

DD9TransAmGTA, hope you get things sorted out.

DD9TransAmGTA

iTrader: (1)

Lol! My girlfriends first vehicle was 1979 Ford F150 and she works on it when shes has time too. And thanks Kymmee!

Insurance finally called and they were talking the average value is around $4,100. Its around that because of my Rebuilt Title. So after all is said and done I should get a nice little chunk back and get to keep my car.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

So what your saying is the title was a "Re-built Title" from when you re-built it 3 years ago right...??

Keep up the good work and GLWR.....(Good Luck With Re-build)