DUDE! I crashed my car. Need Good Bodyshop in Socal

[Z06ADCT]

A week ago I unfortunately rear ended a Jaguar XJ8 in my 2003 M.Y. Z06. The paint job on my car, from the factory was a cost option as it was double painted. I am taking it to two places this weekend:

1) R&B AutoBody in Santa Fe Springs. They have done Corvettes before and have matched the yellow. They also do high-end Porsche repaif for McKenna porsche.

2) I am also taking it to Crestview Caddillac (my friend's dealership) to have his GM guys look at it.

CAN ANYONE PROVIDE A SUPERIOR BODYSHOP REFERENCE IN SOCAL?

The damage as I can see it is I will need a new front bumper, passenger quarter panel and headlight assembly. I don't think it got the hood, but when I open the hood, it may hit the scrunched up headlight that got pushed back.

I am very worried that they will not be able to match the paint. If that is the case, I will have no other choice than to put the car up for sale after it is fixed.

Another question, if they install factory parts with factory GM paint, how much would this detract from the collector's value of not being 100% original from off the line. Obviously it would be 100% original GM parts, but just not off the assembly line. This car has the 50th anniversary badging.

Heartsick and heartbroken that I broke my BABY!:cry

 

[Z06ADCT]

Moderator, I put this in the C6 thread by mistake. Can you please move it to the C5.

Sorry, I am just too distraught that I cannot think straight.

 

[cesully]

I feel for you bro- "yellow" my favorite Corvette color!

I can't speak for the value aspect of not "assembly line parts" however It couldn't be that bad since the replacements parts are GM, AND - this is the best part, It really wasn't that bad of a crash.

Had it been bad, you'd be looking for a new car and Ole Yella would be a parts car.

I would choose a great auto-body shop to "match" the color as best that they can and KEEP HER!

you could wind up buying a headache....

stuff happens - get over it and take car of business !!

Sully

 

[Z06ADCT]

Sully,

You have some good points. To the casual observer "it isn't really that bad" , but to me, it is the worst. Best to get over it. I guess the healing will occur after it has been repaired. You know what they say: "It's cheaper to keep her!"

Thanks!

 

[cesully]

you got it!

 

[IH2LOSE]

Moderator, I put this in the C6 thread by mistake. Can you please move it to the C5.

Sorry, I am just too distraught that I cannot think straight.

Sorry for your troubles

Maybee to make you feel better .I built a 62 vette and painted it MY. I had some problems with the fiberglass on the car and had to have a couple of areas spot painted. They matched perfectly. When they were repairing the bad areas on my car I also had them paint the front plate surround on my 02 C5 and the color looks as though the factory painted it. I think the paint they used was called sikens.And I also think they bought it as a "Factory Pack" as it came allready mixed in a gallon can they did not mix it them selfs.

Good Luck and I know its not my car and its always easey to say but it could have been wourse.

 

[Rob]

Moderator, I put this in the C6 thread by mistake. Can you please move it to the C5.

Sorry, I am just too distraught that I cannot think straight.

Moving to C5 forum...

 

[Z06ADCT]

Thanks for your reply. It gives me hope. I will ask them about the "Factory Pack" to see what they know. Fortunately, although my car is a couple of years old, it only has 11K miles on it and spends most of the time in the garage. Even when I bring it to work, once a week, I park under a parking structure, so the paint probably isn't too far off the factory anyways as the harsher mid-day sun rarely shines on my baby.

 

[SANOLS1]

Sorry to hear about your mishap.
I've seen some nice work come out of this place. I only had my windows tinted there but a buddy of mine had the whole right side of his new BMW repaired here. This guy has the tools, knowledge and skill to get it done right.

Class Auto Ctr (562) 595-6400
3031 Cherry Ave. Long Beach, CA

Good Luck with where ever you decide to take it. :cool

 

[Z06ADCT]

Thanks! It doesn't hurt to get another reference. I am in OC. Long Beach is not too far.

 

[MsSchroder]

Craig, I am sorry to hear about your accident.
I hope everything gets straightened out to your satisfaction.
Keep us posted, ok?

Tammy

 

[Z06ADCT]

Hi Tammy!

Thanks. I have been nonexistent on the boards all summer. I lost my Dad in June, works got me beat, and I haven't even been to any of the Sunny California car cruises this entire season. I have to get the car fixed and get back into the swing of things. If they can't match the paint exactly, I will probably sell it.

Craig

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Blake & Nation in Orange are very good (but slow).

GL!

 

[Patrick]

Craig,
Try checking with your local Corvette Club and cruise-in buddies. Chances are some of them have either had a mishap of their own at one time, or know someone who has. They may have some suggestions about quality places to take your Vette.

And like Tammy said, keep us posted. We all hate hearing about someone's woes, but keep the faith- you'll get your Corvette back to rights in time.


-Patrick

 

[Edmond]

Craig,

I'm quite confident that they will be able to match the paint. Technology is great these days and that color is such a recent color that I don't forsee a problem.

The parts would be GM parts so I don't think that will affect the resale price.

 

[gary55r]

Hey Craig,
I'm next to Santa Fe Springs, so if you need a ride or something let me know.

Things will get better!

Gary

 

[MsSchroder]

Craig,

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. Sounds like this has not been a good summer... hang in there and come back to the boards when you can.

If you end up selling it, will you replace it? And with what? They're not making any more C5 Z06's you know...better hang onto one that you know and love.

Tammy

 

[Z06ADCT]

Blake & Nation in Orange are very good (but slow).

GL!

I am in Placentia, so Orange is real close. Perhaps I will get a quote from them. I took my car to two places yesterday. Both estimates state that they will have to blend the hood and left quarter panel, although they are not damaged. I need to call them back and ask about that. Basically I think what they are telling me is that although I need the front bumber, passenger headlight and passenger quarter panel that they plan to paint the entire front, including the hood and driver's quarter panel to "blend" it in. The hood is good and has about five coats of Zaino on it. I don't want them touching the hood. We'll see.

Thanks,

Craig

 

[Z06ADCT]

Hey Craig,
I'm next to Santa Fe Springs, so if you need a ride or something let me know.

Things will get better!

Gary

Hi Gary,

Thanks alot! Wouldn't mind riding in your 77. Did you ever get the picture that I took of you and your wife and car?

Craig

 

[Z06ADCT]

Craig,

I'm quite confident that they will be able to match the paint. Technology is great these days and that color is such a recent color that I don't forsee a problem.

The parts would be GM parts so I don't think that will affect the resale price.

My true dilemma: Do I go to my Friend's Caddilac dealer (GM) in West Covina who has the fancy paint matching machine and drying booth or do I take it to a place who did a good job on my Durango and my friends car and do high end Porches. Both places state that they have repaired M.Y. corvettes in the past. Both state that they can even repair the strange blotchy white Cadillac color. I also heard that DeLillo Chevrolet in Huntington Beach fixes Corvettes all the time. I could go there as well. Or other references above.

What to do?

Craig