Like I have told a few others, the best option for myself right now is to let the car go. I will keep track of it and post where it is and how much and hopefully someone else on the board can pick it up and get it back on the road. I wouldn't have the time, money, or know how to do this project for at least the next four years. It hurts but I'm going to let it go. I want one of you to take it though because I know you guys can make it road worthy easily, it's just not in my ability to do it right now, or any time soon. I have to take this as a lesson and be more careful next time. I'll keep you guys posted.
I see what your saying Matt. Changing a frame when you don't have the means or know how to is very frustrating.
Id like Matt to fix it as much as anyone... but we have to be realistic... No garage, no lift, sourcing a frame with delivery etc... = big job I have a garage on my house and Im not sure Id be up for a frame swap.. Take that money Matt, and put it away! Give it to you're folks to hold... Put in in a CD at the bank... dont spend it.. .cause one of these days you're gonna wish you had it to get another car... :3gears:
I am going to say this, and keep on saying it until the cows come home. My skylark was in far worse shape than Matt's car, and as a senior in high school managing a 3.5 GPA, and a benchwarmer on the varsity football team, I did a frame in Deed-restricted Tampa Suburbia hell, without a lift, a garage, and basic hand tools. It is realistic, and a big job, but not impossible or financially unfeasible. I held on to my buick, and now I am at a point in time where I can build my car the way I want. He can do the same... KFD
Basically, if there is a will there is a way. We all know it's not an impossible job. Cash from the car, even after buying it back should be sufficient to purchase a frame and if need be a few tools, like engine hoists, to get the job done (the hardest part should litterally be finding a frame and maybe A-arms if he want's stock). At which point the hoist can even be sold. The Forum link I posted was done in an apartment complex outside. I'm sure it was against the apartment regulations, but it can be done inside a week easily, as long as some work is done after you get off work. If he's already talked himself out of it, it's not going to happen. Hopefully someone will. I'm with the others who say if you let this car go, it WILL be a regret at some point.
Dude you gotta come to a BBQ or a boil since your so near to some of us!!!:beer Oh yeah what he said X2. Even if you put the car under wraps for now...:TU:
Heck, if there is enough insurance money saved on doing the labor yourself (won't know until the dust settles), it'd be an awesome time to pick up an overdrive trans and install since it'd be out anyways. Kick up the mpgs significantly, perfect for college. That was my priority number one with my Firebird in College, before I saved enough to paint it, I got a 700r4 for $200 rebuilt by a guy at work for another $200 (I worked at a GM dealership washing cars). Kicked the mileage up over 30+%. I was getting around 25mpgs with a light foot.
Hey Poppaluv, I will when I get back to the states, for sure! Is that white '70 GSX I saw at the last Cruisin' the Coast yours?? KFD
Sorry, my 4 leaf clover must've fell out my ass years ago... ....(one day though)ray: now keep that car!!!!:beer
If his mind is set on letting the car go to the ins co. Maybe one of you can foot the cash and pay for the buy back then rebuild the car. Sounds like a great opertunity for someone to get a nice car at a great price.
After a long and drawn out 4 weeks with the insurance company, they finally made me an offer on what to do with the car. All along they've been saying it's totalled, which I figured because of the badly bent frame. A "Classic Specialist" appraised the car and valued it (pre-wreck) for $4100. When I heard that I wanted to slap someone. They said if they raised the value it wouldn't be considered totalled. I figured more around $6000 at the least. They said it would cost $3000 to fix and with that being so close to the "value" of the car, it's totalled. I want to know what shop can get a new frame, install it, get new wheels and tires, install those, and all new front suspension and pay the labor to have that installed all for under 3k? That doesn't sound right to me, but if they can do it correct for that much, more power to them. I have been doing thinking over the past week and I really don't want to lose my car. I am willing to let them fix it as long as they do it right, not some jerry rigged job. Bottom line, I want my car back and I'm done pussy footing around with the claims department. I'm hoping they can fix it and get it back to me. I'll keep you guys informed. Thanks for all the support.
$4100 seems a little low to me too... why is it insurance companies do that I wonder? They're in it to make money of course. You'd find it difficult to put your self in another 72 of the same condition for $4100. There is a frame here locally sand blasted and primed for $100.. its not close to you.. but gives you an idea they they are out there. By the looks of those pictures, both sides of the frame are bent down as the whole bumper is down... that tells me the core support will need to be replaced/fixed too. I say let them fix it. you wont be sorry
You took words out of my mouth, Curtis. Everything you said is what I've been thinking about. And I just can't stand the thought of not having my skylark.
I'll offer a story about when Jennifer got her 86 Mustang Gt wrecked. Jennifer wakes up one morning and says that she's going to pay off the loan on her Mustang. She owed like 1600 on it. So she goes to the bank, pays it off and goes to work. On the way home, she get rear ended at a red light at 40 mph. She owned the car for 8 hours. The Mustang sustained heavy damage. She was sore for a few days, but OK. Now the insurance company's adjuster looks at the car at the body shop. The damage was $3600. It was bent up bad. So the adjuster totals it. They appraise the car at $900. We had just paid $3300 for it and had it painted on top of it. They wouldnt budge on the 900 and even went so far as to send me zerox copies of similar cars in the classifieds priced at what the appraisal was. My friend at the time gave me some advice which I didnt believe fully. He said not to accept any of the insurance companies offers. Keep refusing the offer. Eventually, they will have to get it off thier books. They will have to come to a settlement with you. I really had nothing to lose at this point so I took his advice. Eventually, after 3 months they finally gave us what we wanted for the car. The check was for the full amount. The only stipulation was that only the Carfax will say the car was totalled. Jennifer handed the check to the body shop and got her prized Mustang fixed. It was ALOt of aggrivation, but it paid off. And she's still driving it today with 230k miles on the clock. Im not saying that it will work in your situation, but give it a go and wait them out if you can. You might get what you want for it.
Jason makes a good point, and I can offer a similar story too... Went back home for our wedding. A couple days after, I was driving my moms 91 Chrysler Fifth Avenue (like a glorified dynasty LOL) Well, I was at a red light... and bang, rear ended hard... Total loss They even asked if they could put the car in our driveway as the impound yard would charge $10 a day At the time the car was worth about $3-$4000. Insurance company offered $1200 dad refused, they offered $1400, dad refused... well this went on for a couple months... Finally dad sent them a bill for $600 for having the car in our driveway for 60 days. They paid it too And ponied up $3000 for the car, and when he asked if he could keep the car they said yes. (he wanted it cause had another 92 new yorker which was basically the same car for parts) He ended up selling it anyway for $200 Point being, take your time, be firm but reasonable - you never know they may up their offer on a total loss. but if you go the fix it route, is what i think Id do, just make sure you're happy with the way its done, they should do a proper job.
I have a roller frame in great shape with a posi rear and a nice core support for that car. Let me know if your guy wants some parts
Mine was rear ended and totalled in 96. I had to fight tooth and nail and finally got to keep the car and they gave me $2750. It sat for 13 years in the garage before I got a decent car and used it as a donor to get back on the road. If you keep it, you won't regret it. It may take a while but there's always a frame to be found. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
