Well, as many of you might remember i was restoring a 1972 chevelle by myself. All was going great, i had not posted in a while because i was hard at work. I had the car painted dropped my motor in finished my interior except door panels. Happy as could be i probally did about 400 miles since i got it on the road. This car has really become a part of me. My original plan was to paint to silver with black stripes but i had the car painted sunburst orange with black stripes.
Now it all comes down to today, I follow my usual schedual school, work, gym. So while im working out i hear people start talkin about a fire outside. So i ran outside thinking i would see a house on fire and what do i find, my car in the parking lot with flames coming out of the hood, undercarrage and interior. I watched everything i busted my ass on burn infront of me, i've never felt so helpless in my life. I worked over 40 hours a week this summer to finish my chevelle spent 90% of my money on her. Have over $5000 of my money from working into that car and i stood there and watched it burn.
Ill never forget this day for the rest of my life.

Ryan,
I really sorry to hear about your car. Sounds like you worked hard on it just like the rest of us have. I know I would be really down if that happened to my car. I hope you had it insured to cover your loss and mybe someday down the road you will find another car that might take away some of the loss today to drive. I wish you the best of luck.
Ray

Bummer man..... that is bad news. I'm sorry it happened. ^This is why it is so important to have good insurance before you take her out on trips....

So sad... :sad: Any idea of the cause? Tell us you have full coverage!?!

That's terrible news. Is it salvageable? Did you have insurance?

Man, I am so sorry to hear. THAT BLOWS.

I am so sorry to hear about your car. That really sucks. I hope you have insurance to recoup the money at least. Think of it like this....it could have happened in your garage! That would have been much MUCH worse. Im really sorry about your car and I hope everything works out for you.

Man, I am so sorry to hear. THAT BLOWS.

x2

CRAP!!

Ryan,iam very sorry to hear about your loss,what a bummer,hope yuo had it insured for stated and or appraised value.

The money would never replace your hard work & effort but at least it would help you replace the car and move on with something else in the future aS time and money allowed.

Good luck

Scott

wow im sorrry to hear this happened to you. Very few people outside of our car culture could understand how deep the impact of this is...Do you have paypal? maybe everyone can chip in a little money and see how far we can get with this to get em another velle.

What do you folks say?

Hope as others said that you have some sort of insurance ..
It's hard right now , but be grateful you were not hurt ..
Cars can be replaced ...you cant ...

I'm very sory to hear than man.

Wow, that had to be a hard thing to come across, but you have to look at the good in everything and take the bad in stride, it will make you a stronger person in the future. I know it really seems bad right now for all the work and money you had invested.

I am shocked I am saying this, but it is a piece of metal that can be replaced, and you will find something else or possibly rebuild it, just glad you or nobody was hurt.

Hope things turn for the better.

-Bobby-

Rayan I know a little of what you feel. When I was breaking in my cam an oil leak caused mine to catch fire. Luckily there was fire extingisher nearby and I got it out with minmal damage. Probably a 50 hrs of detailing down the drain but after a few hours work I was back in buisness. I know how I felt and yours is much worse. I feel your pain and am sad for your loss.:sad:

Well to top it off i didnt have fire or theft insurance so the cops said sorry and drove away. I always thought to myself if i keep this car eventually ill restore it again in my second life time. It seems im going to have to restore the same car twice in a year and a half. I thank everyone for the support, for most of us here at teamchevelle our cars are not only a part of us it is an expression of ourselves. Yes, im devistated but I also see this as another chance to redo everything I wasnt satisfyed with the first time. I see 6 months from now 2 full goodmark quarters, fenders and full floorboards. Ill invest in aftermarket upper and lower control arms, 12 bolt rear with disc brakes and a full stock ss interior. For now I have to save every penny.
It still hasnt really set in yet, this whole situation, but in the back of my mind i feel as if someone had something to do with it. God Bless his soul if I find out.

To answer your question FerrariTruck, I called my father before I called the police. I have no clue how he feels I dont understand him. He was just yelling at me to put the fire out, but there was nothing I could do at that point. My mother on the other hand said why did you bring it home you should have left it there its junk, again.

Really sorry to hear this. It is a helpless feeling for sure. I witnessed two Corvettes burn to a total loss in the last 5 years (not mine) tried to help extinguish one, but both were total losses. You seem to have a really good attitude about it right after the fact- keep it up. I'm just getting done with my '68 and I don't have a lot of stuff left over (doubles, etc. mostly small parts) but what I have that you can use you are welcome to.

Rich

Wow, bad news. Sorry to hear that.

Wow, I don't know what to say.
I would be devastated as I know you are.
Hang in there......life throws us curve balls for some reason.

Just the thought makes me ill - I think I'll double my insurance coverage tomorrow.

To answer your question FerrariTruck, I called my father before I called the police. I have no clue how he feels I dont understand him. He was just yelling at me to put the fire out, but there was nothing I could do at that point. My mother on the other hand said why did you bring it home you should have left it there its junk, again.


ah man i feel for ya. those are exact things my folks would have said no doubt. The hardest part about building these cars is not having the tools or time but would have to be the lack of support and understanding from our family. My parents are on my back about my cars everyday...

That is horrible news, Ryan. I would be so devastated, as you are.
Do you have any idea as to the cause?
That is really harsh that you had no insurance to cover the loss. Sorry to hear also that your passion has no support from your family. We are here for that, I guess.


Dan

Makes me wonder if it was the original wiring. I have a 66 all apart and even though everything works I am going to replace the entire wiring harness so something like that doesn't happen to me. I have heard similiar stories.

Sorry for your loss :(

Any pictures of the aftermath?

Very sad news.

sorry for your lose..............

Sorry to hear. I know how you feel. I lost my first Chevelle to a fire, I was 16 Took me a year of driving my mom's car to work and saving enough money to buy my second. I still have my second Chevelle, that was 24 years ago.

You feel bad now, but time will heal. Salvage what you can and start making plans to get another. :thumbsup:

Sorry man. Thats terrible. Get a paypal account and I'll slip you a few dollars.

Someone should tell "W.A.C." to get his build sheet out of the door panel for this very reason. I'm retired now, but for the last 28 years I was a firefighter in California and have literally seen 100's of nice classics or would be's go up in smoke.

I am sorry to hear about your chevelle. These cars do become part of you.It will only be better when it is completed the next time. Brian

Man that really sucks, sorry for your loss.

Fires in older cars can start from the simple things like a positive battery cable hitting a manifold or a simple power steering hose leak. With all of the tear down and rebuilding we do it is no wonder things happen, one loose fitting or one misdrilled hole into a harness can be disaster.

Can you salvage the shell and frame? Please post pictures, we may be able to offer some advice on how to save your car.

Good luck.

Please look here. Maybe you feel generous, or are due to pay something forward. I am trying to help Ryan out...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291025

Hey Ryan, that really does strike a nerve knowing that there is nothing the insurance will do... damn. My name is Matt, I live on long island too...Im off exit 58 on the L.I.E. Im only 19 and dont know a whole bunch about these chevelles yet, but if your looking for a helping hand during the rebuild or want some company let me know..

Sorry Ryan, I lost a 68 Malibu 327, to fire long time ago. Forced me to buy a 69SS!!
I now own roughly 10 fire extinguishers.

That really sucks!! Have any pictures? What's the damage report? Did it make the news? Any idea on what may have caused the fire?

My condolences.

Big D

I along with all the others feel terrible for your loss. Good luck with your rebuild and try to keep your spirits up.