My C3 was rear ended. Now what?

[DarrenX33]

In an effort to make sure that the repairs are done the right way. I was hoping those with experience might chime in. Yesterday, during one of the most beautiful days of the year. My wife and I were rear ended in our 72 "barn find" Vette. While at a stop light I looked up in the the rear view mirror to find a Honda coming at me, but I couldn't see the drivers head, it was buried under the dash (he was plugging in his cell phone).

Anyway, this car is a very original car aside from the color which makes me even more sick about it. I need to start getting estimates and I want to have it done properly. My son thinks we should take the opportunity to also have it sprayed the original color Warbonet Yellow, which I think is a good idea.

He hit the rear and pushed in the bumpers, which in turn popped them out of the quarters which busted the fiberglass out on the sides. I wonder if just doing a whole new rear clip is the easiest.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/junk.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/darren_costello/media/junk.jpg.html)

[Charley Lillard]

Bummer. Was he insured ?

[Postsedan]

What an idiot!

I am glad you both are ok. The car can be repaired.

Take it to "Custom Cars" in LaGrange for an estimate.

Dan

[DarrenX33]

State Farm

[69z28302]

That sucks Darren. That's always been a fear of mine when taking my C2 out for drive. I personally would take the opportunity to to go back with the War Bonnet. It's one of my favorite. I hope it turns out well.

Mike

[Bill Pritchard]

Sorry to hear of the misfortune, Darren, but glad you and your wife are OK. Best of luck with getting the car repaired.

[olredalert]

----If you really love your Vette take it to Bob Zimmerman at Classic Motors in Naperville. If you don't already know Bob you should just on general principal. He restored the outside (chassis and body) on our 66 Vette, as well as hundreds of others, and he also was my partner in crime at the original Classic Motors in Hinsdale at the old "Jack Douglas Chevrolet" location. Bob truly has forgotten more than 95% of the NCRS members out there. Bob is a treasured friend and I cant recommend him highly enough. His # is 639-357-5170, and he will be there at around 9 tomorrow (I can pretty much guarantee that). I think Dan Vasic might give you a good opinion of Bob as well.

----I should add that Bob is very good at, and enjoys duplicating factory methods...Bill S

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">----If you really love your Vette take it to Bob Zimmerman at Classic Motors in Naperville. If you don't already know Bob you should just on general principal. He restored the outside (chassis and body) on our 66 Vette, as well as hundreds of others, and he also was my partner in crime at the original Classic Motors in Hinsdale at the old &quot;Jack Douglas Chevrolet&quot; location. Bob truly has forgotten more than 95% of the NCRS members out there. Bob is a treasured friend and I cant recommend him highly enough. His # is 639-357-5170, and he will be there at around 9 tomorrow (I can pretty much guarantee that). I think Dan Vasic might give you a good opinion of Bob as well.

----I should add that Bob is very good at, and enjoys duplicating factory methods...Bill S </div></div>

2nd that

[DarrenX33]

Bill.

I appreciate that lead. My concern is dealing with State Farm and the possibility that I may be forced to used one of their &quot;preferred shops&quot;. I think I'll call Tammy tonorrow and see if they can help me get this steered properly. I really want this car done right and for this guy and his Co to pay up for it. Also, I'm in a dilemma about the paint thing. Id really love to paint the car it's original color but that may put me upside down in the car and I can't afford for this to happen, again. It's just such a mess I'm in right now it makes me sick to my stomach. And when it happened the thing that made me the most upset was thinking about my Son and his disappointment. I bought this car as a father/son project. My son is getting so much enjoyment out of working on and driving this car. I just wanted to get the bugs out of it and make it safe and reliable for him and I to enjoy this summer. He got his permit a few months ago and he is having the time of his life with the car. In fact. It was another beautiful evening. We went out for a drive t-tops off and rear window out. At one point he looked over at me with a big smile and said &quot;I really love driving this car&quot;. Again, makes me sick to think we barely got time with it then this happened, now it needs to go into the shop, for how long. Ugh.

[DarrenX33]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/626B476B-A575-43CD-9876-E6141B520298.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/darren_costello/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/626B476B-A575-43CD-9876-E6141B520298.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/D62F933E-2F22-4A41-A984-B92D12D6D3CC.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/darren_costello/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/D62F933E-2F22-4A41-A984-B92D12D6D3CC.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/832D449B-9CE2-4A8C-A7A8-F4D94B73EAAB.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/darren_costello/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/832D449B-9CE2-4A8C-A7A8-F4D94B73EAAB.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/76E2052C-116B-4471-B9E3-BF19953BD6D7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/darren_costello/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/76E2052C-116B-4471-B9E3-BF19953BD6D7.jpg.html)

[x77-69z28]

Darren, they can't tell you where to get your car repaired. They may make it sound like you have to take it to their shop, but you have the right to have it repaired at a shop of your choice. Also, have the car inspected at the shop where it will be repaired. Don't let them come to your house or go to a drive in location. Your body shop wil hash it out with the adjuster and make sure he gets enough money to fix the car properly.
Buddy

[DarrenX33]

And I just realized that Classic Motors is 13 miles from my house. Nice.

[MosportGreen66]

Darren - what Buddy said. And... in NYS it is even a law the insurance company cannot demand you bring a car to a specific shop while holding payment for the job ransom. The insurance company may demand you bring the car to a certified SF affiliate for an inspection but that hardly means much. Make sure you're allow to accept or reject the estimate contingent on additional findings when the car is apart - frame rail damage, bird cage damage, bump brackets, etc. Other key notes to mention - I suggest having the body shop will ultimately do the work write a report on their letter head explaining that the fiberglass was no-hit prior to the accident and all of the panels were factory original. No pre-existing conditions with the glass. This may save you in the long run. Make sure the note is dated appropriately. We'll cover all this and more when you call.

Dan

[olredalert]

----Darren,,,I understand your feelings, but don't let your insurance co. dictate things weather you go to Classic or someone else. By the way, this damage, while devastating to you, can be fixed fairly easily. Changing the color back to original will take substantially more to do correctly. My humble suggestion would be to paint it up to the doors black again so as to get the car back on the road for the summer, for both you and your son.......Bill S

[Zman1969]

Darren, they can't make you use one of their shops, YOU can decide on who you want to fix it! although it may take a little longer, most body shops know how it works so it shouldn't be an issue. Glad your OK

[TimG]

Darren, the State Farm preferred shops won't touch your car. I was in the same boat with my '70 Z28 when another driver smashed it. You can take it to a shop of your choice. The in and out shops want quick work that they know and understand. Your car is a money looser for the typical insurance shops.

[TimG]

Allstate also offered me a rental car, but I refused it. I let them know that my Z28 was a rarely driven classic and valuable car. I had my other full time car available to me. When they are paying for a rental, the carrier is more inclined to &quot;push&quot; the car through the repair system. Take your time with the repairs

[SupremeDeluxe]

Darren,

That completely sucks. This is the reason I took my 67 off the road for good, too many idiots driving around Chicago.

I rarely make recommendations on anything, but I would advise you to go see John Zankowski at Royal Coach in Bartlett. He is an expert on Corvettes and will restore this to as-new condition with no shortcuts. He did some spot-repairs on the red 67 and has done work on daily drivers for me several times.

EDIT: The recommendation on Classic Motors and Bob Zimmerman is rock-solid as well.

[olredalert]

----I did a lot of business with Royal Coach when I was at Classic and they have always been a good place for Corvette work. They would be second to Bob but not by much. I haven't seen John for quite a while but Ill bet nothing has changed......Bill S