Someone recently hit my baby in the middle of the night and now I'm looking for autobody estimates in the Seattle area. I'd prefer someone who doesn't want to replace my orginal parts with crap. This is the first time I've ever had to get an estimate for anything re: my car so any advice would be great. Thanks!

Someone recently hit my baby in the middle of the night and now I'm looking for autobody estimates in the Seattle area. I'd prefer someone who doesn't want to replace my orginal parts with crap. This is the first time I've ever had to get an estimate for anything re: my car so any advice would be great. Thanks!

Tara,

Welcome to Team Chevelle and the local TCNW page!
Sorry to hear about your Chevelle.....
I'm down in Lakewood by Fort Lewis....
Probably 10 guys up there in greater Seattle that know reputable body shops

Some car pics good and bad (the damage) would be appreciated.
You must have the pics on a photo host like Fotki, CarDomain, Photo Bucket.
right click and "copy image location" on the picture you wish to hang...
then go to your message, click on the pic with mountains and sun in the header, insert your pic in the space

Bummer, another one gets sentenced to body shop jail. Sorry about your luck, wish I could help.

I wish I knew a reputable shop with decent rates around here. It'd save me a lot of time and hassle of doing it all myself lol Sorry to hear about the damage though. I'll take a look around and see what I can find for body shops around here. What part of Seattle are you in?

Near White Center (West Seattle)

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School131.jpghttp://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School132.jpgi462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School127.jpgi462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School126.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School132.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School127.jpg

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/School126.jpg

The guy that painted my 68 chevelle is up in Mt Vernon area. Nice work. Name is Joey Swenson. If it's not to far north, PM for phone number.

6th Ave Autobody in Tacoma did my car last year... Great work. They do both classics and new stuff.

Give em a call.
(253) 752-1000


Looking at your photos, i don't see why anything except the mirror & the emblem would need to be repalced... Those panels can be easily fixed.

Do you think they can just buff it out? Then I am faced with that part of the car not matching the rest due to oxidation. I know there is a bit of cancer on the panels, but I'm not in a monetary position to fix that right now... from the few estimates I've gotten, the shops don't want to take the time to find an orginal fender or door. Not sure what my options are.

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/allcars.jpg

Buff it out? No... the panel is dented and scraped through the paint...
It will need to be straightened & repainted, but its not rocket science...

Finding a straight rust free fender & door is going to be very hard.. I'm guessing from the pics, that this happened to your 4 door hardtop car?
They do reproduce the fenders- but door skins will be impossible to find, and doubtful you will be able to find a decent used one. 4 door stuff is RARE. The fender reproductions are not too bad- but i think for the effort required, you'd be ahead of the game to just have your originals straightened.

I would keep talking to shops till you find one that will do what you want.

Just an fyi- most shops want to just do the body& paint work... They don't want to be tracking down parts for you. The price will go up the more work they have to do- and that includes if you demand original sheetmetal to replace them.

If you do the legwork to get them panels, most shops will do the painting and reassembly without too much argument.

Steal the fender off the nearest one in the picture, without a roof!!!!!!!

Just kidding. Really like the color of ALL those chevelles. Same owner for them all??

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/sianel_photos/allcars.jpg

Steal the fender off the nearest one in the picture, without a roof!!!!!!!

Just kidding. Really like the color of ALL those chevelles. Same owner for them all??

And the El Camino hiding in the background ;) They're all pretty sweet though and that color does look good. Especially on the black ragtop.

That would be a good home for Frank's baby if he has to sell it. The color is very close.

Let's say my brother is able to send me a fender... any idea how that works with insurance company and/or the estimates I receive?

All in the family. All in San Diego except for my four-door. :)

All in the family. All in San Diego except for my four-door. :)


Thats cool:thumbsup:

Wow, that is a cool picture, and they have different wheels too:thumbsup:

Let's say my brother is able to send me a fender... any idea how that works with insurance company and/or the estimates I receive?

When you find a body shop- tell them you already found and bought a new repair fender, and it cost you $xxx. Ask how you will be reimbursed for its cost.

As long as it isn't a stupid ammount, they probably just rubber stamp it, and you should get a check from the insurance agent for that ammount. And by stupid ammount, it should be as much or less than the cost of a repop fender.

FYI- about insurance claims... Unless your car is insured by Hagarty or Grundy, most insurance Companies won't pay more than the cost of a new replacement (repop). also- if the appraiser deems the current panel cheaper to repair than replace, then they won't cover the cost of replacing it at all.

What insurance company do you have, and what did the appraiser/claims adjuster say about the damage?

I've got State Farm.