I am trying not to cry :-(

[oceangal]

My neighors, nice people, from Brazil - have 4 cars in the driveway. I asked them if I could have my parking spot back (along the wall) as I didn't want to leave it on the street as I live in a fairly congested area and the street is narrow. Well I come home and turns out the wife backed into my car!! Driver door, looks worse than it is I hope as its her bumper that scraped it.
One of the occupants daughter dates a nice kid who has an uncle who works at a local and well reputed body shop - but still. They will pay for it to be fixed, but can you just buff this out? If there has to be any painting done, can you just paint one area??? there is also a crack in the upper paint color that wasn't there that I recall. DAMN DAMN DAMN. I wanted to go to the car show tomorrow night too :-(
Oh, I went to Pep Boys and the price they gave me for the 2 air filters for the cross fire is $35 each - I hope I can find better on Ecklers or just online somewhere.

 

[craig32]

Lemme guess, soccer mom in a 'big-honkin SUV' never saw your serxy little Vette sittin there and tried to back over it! What a bummer. My wife has had her new car a year now, and it has been hit twice, neither of which time was she in it. If your car was all original (right?) don't let them jerk you around on fixing it. It is your car and you don't need some relative of the offender learning on your pride and joy. Take it to a GM garage and have professionals give you an estimate. OH btw, I told you my mom had a Vette when I was a kid? Hers got hit FOUR times! Once a truck backed over it at work, twice she was rear-ended at a red light (once on the way home from the shop getting it fixed) and once she just pulled out in front of somebody. She did a lot of cryin over that car.
As to one of your earlier posts, the best car cover you can get is a garage. They really aren't all that expensive, if you own your own place and have the room. Sorry about your luck, Lori - it's gotta get better. Stay positive.
Craig

 

[GS Diva]

Lori, Lori, Lori...

What terrible luck you're having!! Listen to Craig...don't take shortcuts in fixing that car. Take it to a very reputable body shop (ask other Corvette folks for references) rather than the uncle's friend, or whoever it is!!!

And you can still go to a cruise-in tomorrow night! There are always cars at these events that need work, etc. Go and have fun! While there, ask for recommendations on a body shop.

Let us know how you make out.

Elaine

 

[Mr.Cool]

Lori that really sucks but at least it doesn't look like ours did. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/tlaplante/82/1.jpg

We get air filters at Advanced auto parts, they're under $7 each.

 

[BarryK]

I know it doesn't help much but I do understand your pain.
When I bought my '65 coupe last March I only had it for a little over 3 weeks and while sitting STOPPED at a red light, the guy in FRONT of me decided he wanted to be in the other lane so he backed up to move over. No problem except when he backed up I was behind him. I had left about 2-3 cars distance between us when I stopped but that didn't matter. I saw his reverse lights come on and he reversed. I had no place to go with other cars behind me and to the side of me. I beeped the horn but he must not of heard it and I could do nothing but watch in horror as he just kept backing up until he slammed into the font of my car. My '65 at that point only had less than 1,000 miles since it had been thru a complete body-off restoration over a 4-year period. It had to go back to the restoration shop to repair the front end damage.

People just do NOT pay attention to what they are doing.

I agree with the other posters - take the car to a reputable shop for the repairs that YOU are comfortable using and don't accept anything less than having it repaired correctly and properly. Forget the kids uncle who works at a bodyshop - even if the bodyshop is decent he may want to cut a few corners to save his family some money.

 

[RoadReady]

And you can still go to a cruise-in tomorrow night! There are always cars at these events that need work, etc. Go and have fun!

Yep, draw a band-aid on it and go on!!!

 

[Jack]

My neighors, nice people, .... and turns out the wife backed into my car!! .....They will pay for it to be fixed,......

I agree with others that you should take it to a shop with a history of successful vette repair. I strongly suggest you quickly get written agreement from your good neighbor ... agreeing to accept all liability ... at least get a neutral to witness a verbal agreement. Even friends/relatives sometimes withdraw as they realize out just how pricey it can be to fix their goofs.
JACK:gap

 

[oceangal]

yep you are all right I think. I wrote them a note this morning saying that they can either provide me the insurance info or pay me directly for the repair (before I get it fixed).
Ironically I have just started dating a man who is a auto body guru. (I didn't know that when we first met) I have seen pix of what he can do and his work is amazing. His suggestion was to get the money and he will paint the whole car for me for materials only, well that and a home cooked meal. I feel kind of funny taking him up on that offer and have inisisted that I pay and cook. He is a die hard Chevy guy. We went to the Chevy super show this past weekend and speedway (he was pit crew for his friends camaro). This leads to a whole other issue....I am thinking about doing a total custom paint job - is that frowned upon by vette owners??
I am thinking a green and black color combo ( i saw them do a chevelle in that color combo on the only episode i have ever seen of pimp my ride and it was awesome!)
well as i was typing this the bf of the family that hit the car called and said they have the money and his uncle will call tonight and maybe the cash payout is the way to go so that i can have control over the situation.
Anyway, getting back to the color scheme - I dont' want to be shunned by vette owners - is changing to a unique color scheme going to be frowned upon? It will be very tasteful (I am far from my wild 20's!) - i just really like the look of the black and green together.
I am planning on attending the local vette club cruise night tonight - my first! I hope my local CAC friend who I have yet to meet is going - be nice to finally meet him and other local vette owners.
I found a local mechanic who worked for a chevy dealership for many years and knows the crossfire, so i am at the least getting a tune up - the wires are really bad and he might go over the whole vacuum system and replace the tubing - which might be a good idea as the car tends to "wink" a lot lately.
I have to say driving around in the vette makes even the most menial tasks fun. I wish I had bought one years ago. My boys are already saying I need to get another so that they can each get one (they youngest wants confirmation that he will get the better one!LOL).
Thanks for all your input, as always!
Lori

 

[Erik S. Klein]

I dont' want to be shunned by vette owners - is changing to a unique color scheme going to be frowned upon? It will be very tasteful (I am far from my wild 20's!) - i just really like the look of the black and green together.

I don't think you'll be shunned by anyone for doing what you want to your car!

The NCRS, if you ever wanted to have your car judged, would deduct points for incorrect paint, but that's about the end of it. . .

You own your car to drive and enjoy so do it however you want to. Those that want perfect Top Flight show cars have those and do what makes them happy. . .

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I agree that it is your 'vette and you should do what makes YOU happy now. Not something for some nameless person of the future who may have your vette after you have finished with it.

Changing paint:
Something to consider is your interior. What color is it now and would it look good with the black/green? Interior is expensive to change!

Repairing 'vette:
This is just my opinion, but if I were in your situation I'd insist on handling it through the neighbor's insurance.

Best of luck and I can't wait to see the new paint!
Heidi

 

[oceangal]

Since i last wrote the neighbor "head of the household" came up with $700 cash and said he will give me another 1000 in two weeks - i offered a receipt and he said no and that he trusts me.

The interior now is a light grey color (or silver) and frankly its very boring. To break up the green and black I would most likely stay with a silver color pinstripe and that would tie in or I could dye what I can black and replace the rest with black upholestry - which I have to do anyway as the carpeting and seat covers are in rough shape.

Its fun thinking about it and I have been searching the net for ideas but I haven't seen a lot of vettes done up. Mostly they seem to be either in their original color or say a red white and blue flag theme or race car look.
maybe after tonight I will have a different view on that

I am not sure now if I will just have someone buff out what they can and do the paint over the winter or what. Certainly he can do the gray/silver portion in a weekend but I dont' know its worth the time and effort if I am going to change the whole thing anway.

 

[GS Diva]

Lori,

One thing to consider is that to do a really good repaint (and especially in a different color), it is going to cost a pretty penny! We had our '74 convertible repainted in the original color 4 years ago, and we paid $5,000. Of course, we wanted a show quality job, which is just what we got. Famous last words -- you get what you pay for!

See you on the 13th!

Elaine

 

[lnirenberg]

Lori,

One thing to consider is that to do a really good repaint (and especially in a different color), it is going to cost a pretty penny! We had our '74 convertible repainted in the original color 4 years ago, and we paid $5,000. Of course, we wanted a show quality job, which is just what we got. Famous last words -- you get what you pay for!

See you on the 13th!

Elaine

Hey Elaine, is this $5000 show quality job by the guy you recommended, as that seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

[Jack]

Some folks don't go for color change ... others see no problem ... I think you should do whatever pleases you. Typically, $1700 just might, maybe get a first rate repaint same color(s). Much of the cost is in surface prep & leveling needed before color coat and in careful, detailed masking. If you decide on a color change, DO capture the paint codes directly from the paint cans' labels and record them. If you can get the color(s) you want in "factory pack" (mixed at factory in large volume but not mixed at local paint store/shop one can at-a-time) ... it's far better for any future needs as it's usually much easier to get a match if "factory pack" is on the car. Most colors that were OE in past few years are available at/through your local auto paint & body shop supply store as "factory pack."
JACK:gap

 

[GS Diva]

Hey Elaine, is this $5000 show quality job by the guy you recommended, as that seems pretty reasonable to me.

Hi Larry,

Actually, that job was done by another body shop in Abington, but Thomas' Auto Body is as good...and precise! And, remember, that was about 4 years ago, and we provided all the new pieces like chrome door locks, emblems, etc. If you want the Abington guy's name, etc., let me know!

Elaine

 

[oceangal]

Good idea Jack! thank you!
Sounds like I will be okay then cost wise with the reduced labor charges, the next big challenge then is to sharpen up my cooking skills!

 

[lnirenberg]

Good idea Jack! thank you!
Sounds like I will be okay then cost wise with the reduced labor charges, the next big challenge then is to sharpen up my cooking skills!

My guess is somewhere in the posh north shore is the "to die for" prepared food establishment. Just make sure you deep 6 the containers before he comes over and plead secret family recipe if pressed.

 

[L48]

I could dye what I can black and replace the rest with black upholestry

If you do not like the silver my recommendation is to get all parts you want in the color of your choice. A prior owner of my 75 must have felt the same way about silver, and used vinyl paint, dye, or something to paint many of the interior pieces black. Now every time a panel gets rubbed the wrong way the black comes off and I can see the silver underneath. This is particularly noticeable at the back of the doorframe, where the plastic wraps around the metal into the door jam. Also chips in the black on the a-pillar covers, the bottom of the t-tops, on the dash panels and the center console. The paint/dye is a lot more susceptible to chipping than the underlying panel material. The problem is not terrible but I would much rather have the dull silver in good condition than this situation.

If your interior is in good shape you can always sell the silver parts to offset the cost of getting what you want, or keep them in case you want to sell it with the original parts.

 

[KANE]

If you do not like the silver my recommendation is to get all parts you want in the color of your choice. A prior owner of my 75 must have felt the same way about silver, and used vinyl paint, dye, or something to paint many of the interior pieces black. Now every time a panel gets rubbed the wrong way the black comes off and I can see the silver underneath. This is particularly noticeable at the back of the doorframe, where the plastic wraps around the metal into the door jam. Also chips in the black on the a-pillar covers, the bottom of the t-tops, on the dash panels and the center console. The paint/dye is a lot more susceptible to chipping than the underlying panel material. The problem is not terrible but I would much rather have the dull silver in good condition than this situation.

Really? I always clean the surface with laquer thinner. It gets out the most nasty oils and imperfections from the surface so the paint will stick.

Just make sure you do this in a WELL VENTILATED place.

 

[lnirenberg]

New thoughts on a more serious note (can I really use the word serious when it comes to our 4 wheeled toys?). I fall firmly into the school of thought that believes in making your car your own. I have long since come to grips with the fact that I am very much underwater in the ratio between current market value vs $$$ invested. This type of consideration only matters when we go to sell our beasts. When considering a non-original change the no brainers are the ones that be easily reversed if a future owner so desires. Paint is obviously not in the "easily reversed" column so rule of thumb is that your car is devalued by the cost of a new original paint job.