Sad, Sad Day.

[mmvette80]

I emailed the horrific pictures to my brother the day it was posted. The next morning when he got home from work he noticed black smoke from under his hood. He lifted the hood and the car was on its way up in flames. The alternator wires in the connector fried, melted his distributor, wires, hoses and the under hood heat blanket. Black soot covered the engine. It was only a Mustang but the timing was wierd.

 

[a69vette]

I'm not going to say a lot today. Just heard the insurance co.

TOTALED

Thank you everyone for your support.
Rick

 

[Mike Carter]

I think you can buy back after settlement, might be wrong but a thought.

 

[69MyWay]

I think you can buy back after settlement, might be wrong but a thought.

The state of Florida has clamped down hard on salvage vehicles and the title process. Now, they only want insurance companies giving certificates of destruction, which means it can never in any state be put back on the road again.

We can thank the trial lawyers for this one. This is because some people have rebuilt wrecks bought from insurance companies, resold them. The new buyer has a wreck, gets hurt, and feels corners were cut to repair it....and thus you have a big mess. The way you solve this is by not allowing ANY vehicles to be rebuilt!

Terrible rules...but they are the rules.

 

[Mike Carter]

Understand, in Texas we can put "blue titled" car back on road, I've see cars from other states retitled in Texas, I think Alabama has similar law, I agree law is a shame but there to protect consumer, should be clause to protect the antique folks.

 

[offshore]

The state of Florida has clamped down hard on salvage vehicles and the title process. Now, they only want insurance companies giving certificates of destruction, which means it can never in any state be put back on the road again.

We can thank the trial lawyers for this one. This is because some people have rebuilt wrecks bought from insurance companies, resold them. The new buyer has a wreck, gets hurt, and feels corners were cut to repair it....and thus you have a big mess. The way you solve this is by not allowing ANY vehicles to be rebuilt!

Terrible rules...but they are the rules.

Thats why I told him to be there when the adj. was there. He could have avoided this. but are you sure about that strict law?

 

[offshore]

This car can be sold and driven again per dmv fla just not reg.in the state of fla.www.3.hsmv.state.fl.us/intranet/dmv/forms/btr/82363.pdf

 

[Eddie 70]

Man this is one of my greatest fears. I just hope it never happens to me. I keep my car parked in the garage all the time. Lately I raise the hood to let the heat. Hope everything goes your way on the car.

 

[chipster]

Sorry to hear they "totalled" it, but, now the fun part...shopping for it's replacement! I know you will miss yours, but there are some nice cars for sale right now. Remember...it could have been worse.

 

[69MyWay]

BTW--If KEN is reading this....remember how you freaked out because I did not latch my hood?????

This is one of the reasons. I have a fear of a spontaneous fire or something starting under the hood right after installing the new engine, etc, and tend not to latch the hood until I know all is well. Otherwise in a panic, I might rip the hood release cable clear off the car and not have access to the goods inside!

 

[joevette57]

The previous owner of my 66 added a feature which I like. The car has aux cooling fans in front of the radiator. They are set to run with the key in the Acc position as well. When parking the car I can let them run a while to help cool down heat build up after shut down.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

a69vette

How much is the insurance company going to give you?
Ask them how much it would cost to buy it back.

If youre not interested in it... maybe Ill buy it.

I may be in CA... but Ill bet I know the company that will auction off your car.

I started out in the automotive industry by buying salvage cars and putting them back together.
Mostly theft recoverys, minor collisions & fire damage vehicles.

I know there are states that dont have "salvage" titles.
So if you are interested, I could help you get your CORVETTE back with a clean title.

let me know.

 

[69MyWay]

Nope, believe it or not, if it gets a Certificate of Destruction in Florida, it can NEVER be put back on the road. This is very recent changes, and all states are in cooperation with it. Use to be, you could wash anything through Kentucky or Virginia after an inspection and some paper work. Not so now.

I am in the Insurance business, and 10% of my daily job activities deal with total loss vehicles, salvage, and staying in 100% compliance with the state and other states salvage title laws. Of course, you could always buy it back as a CD, then buy another car that is total junk for the purpose of obtaining a "clean" title, then doing the dirty with making the switch...but that is risky.

Now...if it can be given a rebuildable title...life is good. It is up to the adjuster and insurance company if the make that move. They would be wise to do it because this car will bring much more in salvage as a rebuildable than it will a CD.


In the same respect, I have seen this car and it was very sharp. It would be worth buying back if for nothing more than parts. The rear clip can be cut and put on a coupe and BANG...instant convertible.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

69MyWay

Doesnt the state of FLORIDA have rebuildable certificates?
I have never seen a destruction certificate.

 

[69MyWay]

69MyWay

Doesnt the state of FLORIDA have rebuildable certificates?
I have never seen a destruction certificate.

Yes, you can get a "rebuildable", but they are becoming less and less common. The Certificate of Destruction or CD is the most common now. It looks like a regular title, but says Certificate of Destruction on the top. At that point...it is a parts car only.

Hey Rick, I hope you don't mind us discussing this on your thread. I think the info is in direct relation to your situation. You may find some of this comes up in negotiations "if" you plan on buying the car back.

 

[Culprit]

I have no experience in this department. What makes a car a car - is it the frame with VIN number attached? If so, and if the car is given a certificate of destruction, then is it legal to buy a different frame with different VIN (essentially a different car) and build it with all the parts from the CD car?

 

[AmosF16]

Rick,
I am so sorry for your loss--it was a beautiful car. Lots of great memories I'm sure. Hope there's another in your future soon.
Andy

 

[John Doe]

Rick, very sorry about your loss.

Steel fuel lines are very important, and glass fuel filters are notorious for breaking, but the most important fire prevention device for C3s is a battery cuttoff switch. Your car is most at risk after you shut it off. Have you ever noticed how the engine temperature spikes up AFTER you shut it off? When the waterpump stops circulating coolant engine temp goes up. This is when wire insulation can melt and a fire starts, after you have walked away from the car. If you shut off the battery, you eliminate the spark source and fire doesn't start. Yes, next time you connect the battery you will get some sparks, but at least you will be right there to switch it off.

So install a battery cutoff switch, and USE it!! JD

 

[offshore]

Rick, very sorry about your loss.

Steel fuel lines are very important, and glass fuel filters are notorious for breaking, but the most important fire prevention device for C3s is a battery cuttoff switch. Your car is most at risk after you shut it off. Have you ever noticed how the engine temperature spikes up AFTER you shut it off? When the waterpump stops circulating coolant engine temp goes up. This is when wire insulation can melt and a fire starts, after you have walked away from the car. If you shut off the battery, you eliminate the spark source and fire doesn't start. Yes, next time you connect the battery you will get some sparks, but at least you will be right there to switch it off.

So install a battery cutoff switch, and USE it!! JD

thank you! Most of these *******s don't even know that this car was'nt even running. witch makes a fuel fire INPOSABLE! i HATE STUPID ****.MY SPELLING SUCKS BUT i CAN MACHINE ANYTHING TO .001 aND I KNOW GAS & ELEC.FIRE. ******* JUST LET A NICE CAR GO DOWN THE TUBE;S "**** HIM" SMART ASS DID'NT LISTEN!!!!!!!!

 

[offshore]

DO ANY OF YOU GET IT? THIS CAR WAS NOT RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSABLE TO BE A FUEL FIRE. What part don't you understand!