Coming home from a car show this past Sunday, I was forced off a tight winding road, by a car coming in the other direction and was over the double yellow line. I had to turn hard to the right, but the back end swung out to the left. Needless to say, I tried to save it FOUR time (back and forth) but it came to stop in front of a road barrier, but after taking out the front passenger fender, it also kept on sliding around to crunch up the passenger rear quarter. My body shop professional told me that it will need a new rear quarter, front fender, front and rear bumpers and GTA tail lamps also. I have Grundy Insurance and will have a meeting with them in the next few days.

I was NOT injured in any way, except my brains are screwed up with this loss. The question I have, if the Insurance lets me keep the car for any reason, the car has a ton pf quality parts, such as an original interior, SLP parts, L98 engine, 700 R Trans, Trans Am black diamond spoke wheels and a TON of 1991 brochures from France-Germany-Japan-1991 Pre-Order Dealer catalog and so forth. I would most likely want to sell the car as a whole, but that remains to be seen.

 

Sorry for your loss. That hurts.

 

Holy cow this sucks..
Glad you are ok.
Take a deep breath, let it slow down and take things 1 day at a time. Figure out what you want to do after you take the meeting with your INS company.

 

That sucks, I thought you had a very nice car too. Do you have any pictures of the damage?

 

I am sorry man that was a nice car.
i remember seeing it in the mags...

In the end it is just a car....some things can not be fixed or replaced like a car.

 

Real sorry to hear this Ed, but the important thing is that you are OK.

Now, time to control the situation - if the car is at a shop you trust and they will protect your interests - leave it there. If not, have it towed to one that will or home! Do not release it to the insurance company for any reason, it is not their car. When you do talk settlements with them, negotiate to keep the physical car, likely for only a few hundred bucks, then decide what you will do with it.

Call if you have any questions, want to bounce something off somebody in the hobby or just need a friendly voice.

 

I wouldn't sell the car outright if you can't get it fixed. After the (emotional) wounds heal, you will probably be interested in getting another car similar to the one you already have. Then you could transplant the parts to the new car without having to start all over from scratch.

 

Oh Ed, I'm very sorry to read about this. Very glad you are OK, but can certainly understand how you must be feeling.

That was the first thing I thought of, if it comes to that. Grundy has an excellent reputation. With a quality body shop that understands the kind of car they are working on, hopefully there will be a happy ending to this story.

 

I don't know anything about your insurance company, but it cost me 1100 out of my 4000 settlement to keep my 91 formula 350 that was totalled in the hail storm last month in Colorado. I was a bit sticker shocked on that one. But USAA is a good insurance company so I assume the value is fair. Just be aware it could well be more than a few hundred bucks to keep the car. I did anyway, she's my baby lol. But my car was also no show car, yours could be worth well more than the 4000 my insurance offered. Just my two cents. Glad you're okay though. Body panels can be replaced, people not so much.

 

pics-

 

Very glad to hear your ok, very heartbreaking your car got damaged, all the sentimental and emotional value.
What happened to the ******* that ran you off the road? Did they stop or were there witnesses??

 

No, the car just kept going around the turn. Other cars passed me by, but this was an old country road, not much traffic. The car does drive straight, but for me, it will NEVER be ORIGINAL again and the amount of work, plus the lack of OEM parts needed (that nobody has) such as front and rear new or reproduction bumpers, GTA tail lamps and quarter panels. I will get pictures in the next few days. As stated, IF it is totaled and I get to buy it back, I would want to sell it whole. I also have tons of RARE 1991 brochures from Europe and Japan and you name it, I have it in regard to SLP items also. Thanks again to ALL the members here, when you understand how **** someone can become attached to something that cannot be replaced.

 

so sorry to hear this Ed. That is one of my big fears when out for a spin. Its nerve racking to take the Formula out.

Hang on to that car by all means. You have time to figure it out. You don't have to take the insurance companies first offer. If they get testy, that is what lawyers are for. Glad you walked away. Keep us posted.

 

Here are some photos I NEVER wanted to see. I am still waiting for my Insurance Company (Grundy) to give me a final number on the car, but if it is totaled, I would like to know IF somebody would like to buy the entire car. I am NOT going to sell stuff piece by piece.

 

Wow, Surely they wouldn't total that.......would they???

 

Ed - you look like you are in pretty good shape there all things considered. Its never gonna be pure factory again, but you can get your car back. A competent body shop can handle that with no problem. One that restores old cars could probably do best, they know the need to make it like new, not just put it back together.

 

Glad it didnt turn out any worse for you bud. The car isnt too bad considering. Its not totaled. The hit in the front is minor and will just need panels. The rear quarter MAY have to be replaced. Not sure a body shop will want to spend the time trying to repair that. Plus, youd end up with a ton of filler on it. If the shop replaces the the quarter then hopefully they understand how it was originally bonded to the roof.

Start looking for those taillights now though. They may be hard to find.

 

The body shop I deal with, has been restoring antique cars with perfection for about 30 years. It's worse than it looks! Here is what's needed, a 1/4 panel, a front fender, front and rear bumpers and GTA taill lamps. NONE of these item is made OEM anymore and reproduction parts(from such as Classic Industries/Yearbook One) do not exist. Plus what is hidden UNDER the damage. I could spend the time and money trying to find the parts, but when all the work is done and about 3/4 of the car is repainted, it will be a rebuilt Formula and I would guess the value would take a nosedive because it's NOT ORIGINAL ANYMORE.

 

Not trying to rude/smartazz...Its obvious this car means a lot to you and I see your point with it never being "ORIGINAL ANYMORE"

So it would be best to hope they total it and then haul it to the nearest crusher and watch it be crushed. Then nobody will have to deal with a REBUILT FORMULA.

I was hoping for the best for you.......glass half full kinda person.

Good luck Ed

 

Look for a 91-92 parts car with good body parts and use that. I'd rather use a used oem part on my car than a new aftermarket part. Both parts need to be painted anyway so why not go for the oem one which you know will fit correctly.

 

Also can look at it another way... the car has been with you for years, so you could always fix it and still own it. You have a lot of sentimental value and years in your car, it's your friend. Just keep it and even though you will know it had been through a huge repair, you will also know you still always have your old friend.
I've owned my car a long time, will keep it forever, no matter what.

 

I agree! Id fix it Ed its worth it. I hate it that you wrecked it but im glad you are OK.

 

All of those parts can be had, less tail lights for about 2K. Just look for a used old bird that has been beat to hell motor/interior wise/suspension wise but still has intact parts that you need. You can do it Ed!

 

Heres a front bumper for you: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-1992-Fi...NXl8bX&vxp=mtr

 

This doesn't look bad at all, a super good shop wouldn't need new quarters or fenders (no mud either), I have seen a waded up aluminum body Shelby cobra saved and it was waaaaaay worse than this. Granted, it was worth waaaay more when finished as well but that didn't stop the original owner from fixing it.
My .02, keep it, fix it and enjoy it.

 

Thanks, but a used bumper may have a LOT of small chips which are
hard to see, but repainting a used RUBBER part, will show up as small dents when the final paint is applied. Just hearing these stories from body shops who have been there, done that!

The rear 1/4 is really pushed up and bent in near the bottom and at the top end, next to the hatch opening. It looks OK in pictures, but the amount of damage requires a new 1/4.

 

If you don't want to fix it, no one is going to force you. But I'd imagine that both the front and rear bumper covers could be fixed pretty easily. A bit of heat and push out the dents, some flexible bumper repair for any cracks or gouges, and they'd be good to go. Hardest part would be the steel strips with the mounting studs. The fender would be easy enough to replace with a junkyard piece, but judging from the misalignment of the headlight to hood, there may be damage to the radiator support. Either way someone could and should fix it. I personally feel that we're past the point where a person can justify just throwing away a mildly damaged thirdgen. I'm sure the rest of the car is in exemplary condition that would justify the expense and effort to repair the car.

 

What's happening with the insurance claim? Have they made a determination on it yet or not?

 

Sorry to hear this man I had that happen with my C3 vette last summer. I took 6k and kept the car to stop it from being totaled out with my company. Car was booked at 17k and they wanted to total it out

 

Fix and enjoy. If there is a loss of value, that should be part of the settlement Grundy offers.

 

What was your ins co if you don't mind me asking? We all can learn from this. I thought these specialty companies allow you to name what the car is worth and then they charge you accordingly. If it costs 6K to fix, and you had it insured for 17K, shouldn't they pay for repairs? Or did you have it on "normal" daily driver ins?

 

I am still waiting 3 days for the bomb to drop. The company is Grundy, so I hope they get the call right. There is so much stuff that could also be hidden until it comes apart. I REALLY wish the 1/4 panel did not have to be replaced, but it is pretty much crumpled in and can't be saved. Same with the rubber nose and getting a mint replacement. All of this causes a loss of sleep, as to fix or not. Being **** doesn't help as I would want it to be just as good it was before. There was nothing that I could improve on, so the repair cannot make it any better. I don't know if any of this makes any sense, but I can appreciate the comments.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exte...-firebird.html

 

I went through a similar situation a few years ago. I had an absolutely immaculate Iroc that was sandwiched on a highway (middle of a 5 car pile-up)

It wrecked the front bumper, hood, fender, core support, rear bumper, and buckled the frame in the rear a little.

Insurance totaled it out, and we kept the car. We spent a few weeks scouring the junk yards, buying the bumper supports, fenders, a hood, the front end of a firebird (for the core support), and had a professional shop straighten the frame in the rear. We did the work, and we painted it ourselves.

It ended up costing me a little under $3000 in total for the entire ordeal. Looking at her now, you would never be able to tell. Everything bolts up, aligns straight, drives straight, panels all line up. I still daily it to this day.

Your damage is not near as bad as mine was. Honestly, I just unbolted everything that looked broken, and replaced what I pulled off. It wasnt as bad once I saw how much of the car wasnt damaged.

 

looks great
forgot the lower stripes and headlight pockets
just kidding

 

OUCH!!!! Well, there's some incentive Ed!

 

I'm a potential buyer. LMK

 

Holy cow Kenney001...that's quite a save.

 

My guy could fix that car pretty easily - when you get the word give me a call and let me know what you want for it.

 

The car is repairable, will repair well. Keep it and drive the hay out of it Ed!

 

I'm not trying to come across as a douche and believe me I understand your concerns, but I guess I'll be the one to say it.

Man, if this car has THAT much sentimental value to you, what is it you are so devastated about that you are considering getting rid of the car? That damage seriously sucks and you had a BEAUTIFUL ride. However, those pictures are a flesh wound compared to some of the stuff I've seen. My own car was damaged worse than this give or take and I made it BETTER than before the accident.

Is it the car that you're attached to, or the value of the car that you're attached to? Because honestly after seeing those pics I can't believe you are considering getting rid of it. Stuff it in the garage, hit up junkyards (Because not everything is brand new. Some show quality cars used junkyard parts that were restored to their previous luster with some elbow grease), eBay and the forums/groups.

Take a deep breath and you'll have it back together in no time.

 

The only reason the quarter panel "needs" replaced is body shops want to put as little time as possible in repairs and want to be profitable.

A qualified shop could straighten that; the only challenge is finding one that still does work.

Haven't had a car that needed a quarter, having put a quarter on a GM car, I'd seek out a shop that can do the work, isn't a bunch of prima donnas unwilling to work with used parts (again, time vs. profit) and you could re-use everything except that fender if needed.

Also: If you don't want the car "totalled" and to have a salvage title, then don't sign off on what they feed you for numbers attached to a total write-off settlement. You may have to settle for a different number, but your car isn't that big a repair. It's work, but it's well worth fixing, and keeping after the repairs.

 

Agreed completely. That quarter panel doesn't need to be replaced. Anyone experienced and willing can pull it straight, sand, very thing film of body filler to bring the shape back then primer, paint and blend.

Also, I have a state insurance license and at a nationwide level, you have the right to an appraisal. Don't let them total it without looking into that.

 

Again, I am a potential buyer.

And IMO you are correct, the quarter panel damage is worse than it looks. I've been there done that and after attempting to save the quarter panel we ended up replacing it. In the long run, it was the right choice since we were able to straighten all of the inner and hidden panels as well have virtually zero filler. Looking at the front, I would bet the upper rail is slightly bent based on the headlight/fender/hood alignment as well as the torn metal in the fender itself.

I understand wanting an all original, unmolested car.

 

PM Sent

 

You mentioned showcar and Grundy. I thought that if a specialty insured car was deemed "totaled". They cut you a check and took the car period. Would not let you buy back. That's what I want to know as we have a showtruck with specialty insurance.

 

For sale Ed: looks in ok shape

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fire...ale-500-a.html

 

I am STILL awaiting a final notice on what is going on. My first adjuster looked over the car and totaled it, but there was a medical emergency in his family and he could not finish his report. Now almost 2 weeks later, another adjuster was put on my claim and he just looked the car over again today. I swear, IF I DIDN'T HAVE BAD LUCK, I'ED HAVE NO LUCK. So now I have to wait until Monday to see if I can sleep at night again without worrying how this will turn out.

 

Don't be so quick to get rid of it Ed - you got more press!

 

I wish to THANK ALL the members for their support and ideas. This has been a very hard decision to make as to what direction I needed to make with the Formula. My biggest problem was that even though it could be brought back to its former glory, it will NEVER be an ORIGINAL SURVIVOR. People who knew the car, will look at it and try to find fault in the repair work, but done right (to me) it will never fell the same.

So it is with a heartfelt sorry that I say, it goes to rest with the Insurance Company. They paid 100% of what it was insured for (please don't ask) but the buyout was way too high for me to keep it or somebody else to buy it. I hope to stay on the website and will let you guys know when I find the next SHOWCAR and when it hits hits the circuit.