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Posted by: Gary Dec 28 2007, 08:49 AM

Had a minor fender bender a few weeks ago - my front bumper to SUV's trailer hitch. No damage to the SUV, but my mint chrome fender is toast, as is the hood. The body just behind the bumper is pushed in. It doesn’t appear to go down as far as the spare tire shelf, so I don’t believe the frame or alignment is affected. Headlight buckets are creased, left worse than right.

Posted by: Gary Dec 28 2007, 08:52 AM

Right headlight bucket:

Posted by: Gary Dec 28 2007, 08:55 AM

Left bucket:

Posted by: Gary Dec 28 2007, 08:58 AM

View from above:

Posted by: Gary Dec 28 2007, 08:59 AM

The adjuster came out last week - reasonable guy. Recommended a local shop that apparently used to be the porsche audi body shop - Boesen Collision on 74th.

I sent pictures to a board member who is a retired body guy - he recommended putting the car on a frame machine to make sure there is no further damage. I don't know of anyone in the PNW with bench. I was a pretty low speed accident - probably 5-10 mph.

It will be an insurance job, but there are a few other body items I wanted to get done and want a shop who will work with me: match rear valance and rocker covers to the rear 911SC flares, adjust door openings (1/8 inch too short after installation of rollbar), make a cover for the 911 cooler in front trunk (could be same shape as the spare tire cover), mount 911 mirrors, fix ding in driver’s door, remove diagonal from rollbar (takes away too much passenger legroom), make proper brackets for front and rear camp914 hood shocks, delete antenna hole.

Body shop suggestions welcome and appreciated.

Posted by: DNHunt Dec 28 2007, 09:53 AM

You might call Kevin and see what he says.

I've dealt with Barrett's out on Canyon. They repaired my wife's Honda. It was OK. Back in 93 they painted my 914 and it really has held up darn well but it was expensive. Todd is a patient of mine and we have talked about custom work and they just won't do it now. Insurance work is steady dependable and a know margin. At any rate, I suspect they won't work with you on the rockers.

Sorry to see the damage

Dave

Posted by: Root_Werks Dec 28 2007, 01:00 PM

Damage doesn't look too bad and glad to hear your getting it fixed right. Keep us posted. I don't know of any decent body guys anymore.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Dec 28 2007, 01:48 PM

On a side note: 911 guys would probably pay you good money for the jail bar. You could get a more efficient radiator style cooler with the dough.

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 28 2007, 04:07 PM

NOT BARRETT'S!! give one of our member's a shout, jerry mahoney, jmmotorsports(i think), semi retired bodyguy. he owns the dark blue v-8 car. he does great work. in kelso i think. can't seem to find his card right now. i called craig to see if he has jerry's number.

edit: the "retired" bodyguy must be jerry.

see who robert larson porsche/audi recommends. kay-parks in tacoma has a good rep too.

k

Posted by: Gary Dec 28 2007, 04:57 PM

Kevin,

Thnx for the JMM recommendation. I talked to Jerry and sent the same pictures. He's busy for a while. Part's aren't a problem - Craig can hook me up. Need a reasonable/reputable shop.

Not much response yet on where to bring. If nothing pops up here, what I may end up having to do is bring the car to the Fort Lewis auto body shop for the miscellaneous stuff, then to the USAA rec'd shop for the collision work / prep / paint. Funny how insurance kills an industry. I'd be fine paying going shop rates for the non-collision stuff, but most places are happiest just doing the insurance work with the understood padding in the bill.

Posted by: championgt1 Dec 29 2007, 12:32 AM

Sorry to see the damage. I have heard that Eurotech in Redmond does great work, but that they are a little pricey. Not sure this will help or not. Good luck on getting it fixed.

Posted by: Gary Dec 29 2007, 11:38 AM

Thanks guys,

If no more suggestions pop up here over the weekend (I'm surprised there aren't more), I'll probably visit Boesen and Kay-Parks on Monday.

Posted by: nsr-jamie Dec 29 2007, 12:38 PM

Hi, sorry about your accident, good to hear nobody was injured. Sorry, timing might be off here........but can I ask you about those cool front turn signal lenses and side marker lights....where did you get those? They are awesome!! I need something like those in clear like that. Are those Italian? Thanks and cheers

Jamie

Posted by: Gary Dec 29 2007, 01:33 PM

No worries. Italian turnsignal lenses. I sanded the buckets, resprayed with chrome paint, epoxied in new 1157 sockets, and used amber 1157 bulbs. Turned out pretty nice.



For the side markers, I used clear lensed, amber LED side markers. Made by a company called Maxxima. Got 'em off ebay for like $6. Drilled holes in the proper places to epoxy some nylon threaded studs. They're pretty bright and are about 1/2 inch smaller in diameter vs. stock. I like the side markers vs. not, as I think they improve visibility of me at night. They even look pretty correct vs. stock.

Posted by: sportlicherFahrer Dec 29 2007, 01:49 PM

There is a really good shop in downtown Puyallup, kinda towards Sumner. INCREDIBLE work, and he does a lot of classic cars so I think he may be able to help with some of that fab work too.

http://www.yellowpages.com/info-LMS68173219/A-B-Auto-Body/maps?back_to=%2Fname%2FPuyallup-WA%2FA-B-autobody%3Fsearch_mode%3Dall%26search_terms%3DA%2526B%2Bautobody

Posted by: Gary Jun 30 2008, 12:00 AM

Well, the repairs begin! I ended up going with a guy who advertises locally on CL. He's factory trained and didn't flinch when I asked about flaring the rockers and rear valance, fabing a front trunk floor to cover the oil cooler, and fixing a few other things not related to the front clip. It's pretty dicey to make WCR, but we'll see. Will post pics as I get them:


Yay.

Posted by: championgt1 Jun 30 2008, 12:06 AM

Looking good so far. Keep us posted.

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Jun 30 2008, 12:15 AM

Looks good. Hope he get's it done soon so you can enjoy it a little during the summer.

Posted by: boxstr Jun 30 2008, 12:26 AM

Gary, Let me know when you think you will need the front bumper. It is at the plating shop.
CCLINALLROADSLEADTOCHROME

Posted by: Gary Jun 30 2008, 07:27 AM

Thanks Craig - will do. That front clip looks good recycled .

Posted by: Root_Werks Jun 30 2008, 08:32 AM

Good to see some progress!

Posted by: Gary Jul 4 2008, 04:58 PM

I think I dun good on paint: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110265843538. Chances of matching the pearl white on my car were about zero, I was looking at a respray anyway. Should be pretty.

Posted by: rhodyguy Jul 5 2008, 12:33 AM

gary, are you going to drive it for a while the front is in primer or take it all apart?

k

Posted by: Gary Jul 5 2008, 08:35 AM

Depending on when I get her back, I'll drive her some while the weather's nice. I'm not inclined to take her all apart. Last respray was about six years ago, so the interior, engine compartment, and trunks are nice.

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 10:51 PM

Body man's got a head of steam going now. Wish I'd gotten started a couple weeks earlier. I'd love to be with the WCR crew about now, even in primer.

Cowl damage repaired:


Attached image(s)

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 10:57 PM

Some non-accident stuff...

Front quarter sidemarkers filled in. Left:


Attached image(s)

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 10:59 PM

Right:



Attached image(s)

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 11:06 PM

He found that the SC flares, just stopped at the lower edge:

So he fabbed up a patch:

Primed:

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 11:09 PM

Right side:



Attached thumbnail(s)


Attached image(s)

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 11:11 PM

Driver's door - a handfull of dents/dings filled:



Attached image(s)

Posted by: Gary Jul 12 2008, 11:16 PM

He still is working 911 mirror bases, flaring the rocker covers and rear valence to match the SC flares, and removing the diagonal from the rollbar (lose too much passenger leg room for a street car). He's also fabbing a cover for the oil cooler in the front trunk. I'm pretty excited to get this project down the road!

Posted by: Spoke Jul 13 2008, 08:58 AM

The repairs and fixes are looking good. Sorry about your oops.

I came about 1 foot from doing the same thing to my 71. Jumped on a 4-lane road here; going through the gears, got in the fast lane going fast and it looked like I was passing cars like they were standing still. Um, that's cause they were standing still. Then I noticed the car in front of me come to a complete stop.

I jammed on the brakes, 2 or 4 wheels locked, and I stopped about 1 foot from the car in front of me. The "PO" from the Pontiac emblem is burned in my memory. I know that 2 or 4 wheels locked because the tire smoke caught up to me when I stopped.

Your car looks nice. Got any before pics?

Posted by: Gary Jul 13 2008, 10:44 AM

Yup. Bad stuff can happen fast...

There's some photos here from our trip up the coast in '06: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=55595. Think I'm cursed from making a WCR .

Posted by: rhodyguy Jul 13 2008, 11:09 AM

looks like you found a great guy gary. please pm me his info.

k

Posted by: Gary Jul 17 2008, 09:03 PM

So, a few more pictures...
Left side:

Posted by: Gary Jul 17 2008, 09:05 PM

Right side:

Posted by: Gary Jul 17 2008, 09:07 PM

Front:

Posted by: Gary Jul 17 2008, 09:08 PM

Looking to pick up this weekend. Woohoo!

Someone I know suggested Fleury's Autobody to spray the car. Anyone on the north end know them?

Posted by: Gary Oct 9 2010, 03:29 PM

Quick update. She's the same color all over the first time in 3 years .

Heaing for paint in April


'nuther


Picked her up today

It's rainy, so not a good shot of the color: gm pearl white.

Posted by: DNHunt Oct 9 2010, 04:03 PM

That will be really pretty in the sun. Too bad we have to wait until July 5th next year to see that. The good news is you have plenty of time to get it done. I can hardly wait to see it.

Dave

Posted by: JRust Oct 9 2010, 06:47 PM

Absolutely awesome man. Getting a 914 back from paint shop is always

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Oct 9 2010, 07:25 PM

Nice Gary

Posted by: nsr-jamie Oct 11 2010, 08:57 AM

Sure took a while but the results are well worth it, looks great !!

Posted by: Gary Oct 11 2010, 04:34 PM

Caught a few sunbreaks today



and



Sideview mirror didn't make the trip . It's always something. Looking for a motorized 911 passenger mirror.

Posted by: McMark Oct 11 2010, 04:51 PM

Posted by: arkitect Oct 11 2010, 06:30 PM

Gary,
Did you make a special atachement for the tow bar?

Dave

Posted by: Gary Oct 11 2010, 08:21 PM

Nope. It's a rennenmetal tow bar bracket and a Harbor Freight towbar. Tows great.

Posted by: 6freak Oct 12 2010, 09:54 AM

Nice work Mr!....