I posted this 2 weeks ago in the Bench Racing but maybe some of you did'nt see this....
I received 1st place trophy in the Convertible class at the P-Zazz car show in Burlington, Iowa then got rearended only about a mile from the car show, on the way home.
my 9 yr old daughter was in the back seat, my 18 yr old step son in the passenger seat. we all had seatbelts on and no major injuries outside of a bit of whiplash.
Now I will need to find a rear clip for this thing. I have scoped it out really well and feel it should be repairable but will need lots of parts.
About 5 years of my blood, sweat and tears went into this thing, I will go to almost any length to bring her back.... Hold your breath this ain't for the faint of heart:
http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/33452/2315553020062840608S500x500Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2315553020062840608GFWxZH)

Wow, you got hit pretty hard! Hopefully you don't have any lasting problems as a result. I would recommend getting everyones neck & back checked out. Bummer...

I assume the other driver was charged. Your insurance should pay up, then subrogate the other driver's insurance company. This should not affect your rates.

You do have the car appraised, right?

Wow sorry to see this. Im glad you and your family are OK.

Hi Brian,
I am sorry to see your 66 like this, but am also happy to hear that you and your family are OK. Good Luck with the 66 and please keep us posted with the progress.

Glad to hear no one was hurt. Good luck on the rebuild.

I will go to almost any length to bring her back....

That sucks and all... but I would take the insurance money, buy the convert back from insurance, Strip all the good usable parts, and find a new project car to start from.


_

- I received a settlement on the car from the other guy's insurance company (Progressive). it is for the same amount I had it appraised for with Hagerty, therefore Hagerty will be off the hook (lucky for them).
- The Hagerty estimate was far less than the Progressive. Hagerty said it can be fixed for 14k. I would like to see how that number adds up. Repaint alone would be around 6-8k. Frame is bent a little at the far rear end but could be cut off and have a donor car frame welded (back 6 inches is kinked a little but thats it). It doesnt matter what Hagerty comes up with though because Progressive is admitting responsibility and are paying equal amount to the Hagerty agreed value (but I think i was too low).
- I think I found a good donor car. I am negotiating with the owner right now. I need the rear tub and graft it all back together.
Thanks for all the comments. This has been a very stressful chain of events. That old car really did a good job absorbing the impact, don't you think? Who would have known there was a crumple zone designed into it!
Brian

Brian, do you think you would have received a higher settlement if you had insured your car for more than 25K?

Mike,
The Progressive Adjuster said he was coming up with an appraised value (higher than 25k), which was pretty high in my opinion. however, all of the similar models for sale are usually north of 25k. I think Hagerty would have only given me 14k because they said it can be fixed for that amount, I am doubtful of that. A guy would have to find a donor car and clip the whole thing.
By the way, due to Progressive saying they were maxed out on the payout amount they would not charge me to keep the car and it would not receive a salvage title! If I take that into account, I am looking to come out pretty good in the whole drama.

Brian

Im glad you and your family are OK and I hope you get your car back together the way it was before this tragic accident. :thumbsup:

- I received a settlement on the car from the other guy's insurance company (Progressive). it is for the same amount I had it appraised for with Hagerty, therefore Hagerty will be off the hook (lucky for them).
- The Hagerty estimate was far less than the Progressive. Hagerty said it can be fixed for 14k. I would like to see how that number adds up. Repaint alone would be around 6-8k. Frame is bent a little at the far rear end but could be cut off and have a donor car frame welded (back 6 inches is kinked a little but thats it). It doesnt matter what Hagerty comes up with though because Progressive is admitting responsibility and are paying equal amount to the Hagerty agreed value (but I think i was too low).
- I think I found a good donor car. I am negotiating with the owner right now. I need the rear tub and graft it all back together.
Thanks for all the comments. This has been a very stressful chain of events. That old car really did a good job absorbing the impact, don't you think? Who would have known there was a crumple zone designed into it!
Brian

my experience with Hagerty is that their estiamtes tend to be a little low

I would have been in jail!! I hope it all works out for you.

I found a donor car. I will post more info as it unfolds. should be able to fix this thing after all. I may be using the entire rear tub from another car, not sure how I will cut and paste the two together but I will do it one way or another.

I would think it would be better to just use the donor car frame, and body and bolt all your nicer/upgraded parts to it. To cut the frame and rear tub would really drop the resale value if you ever want, need, or have to sell it.

Really sorry to see this happen. All everyone in the car is fine.

$14k sounds pretty low to me also.

Brian

Does your 66 have either headrests or shoulder belts - I think they were both rare options in 1966

Just the lap belts ?

Looks like you were pretty lucky or the car took a pretty good hit

I just had lap belts. All three of us were wearing them, I had the top up as my daughter said she didnt want her hair to get messed up.... that might have saved her from getting launched out of the car, because she did hit her head on something but we are not sure what.

The old Chevy did it's job protecting all of you.

I think the convetible frames are stronger than the hardtop frames so maybe was a factor

Anyway glad your all OK - good luck with the rebuild

Believe they are boxed except the rear foot or so. That one was a hard hit glad to see you are all Ok. Wow. :(

Glad to hear you got a reasonable settlement, at least I hope you think it's reasonable... I have some history with a car that had a replacement frame that I will pass on for your consideration.

I drove from Salem OR to NE Washington ... a long ride up US97 then turn right just before Canada... Bought an ElCamino and brought it home.:hurray: It was our intention to dress it up and a new engine. When I tried to license it, DMV couldn't find the frame numbers they wanted. State Police even ended up checking the car for numbers ... and it degraded from there. When all was said and done it became the doner, it was just plane a giant PITA.:mad:

The problem would never have occured if I hadn't bought it out of state. Just a thought for you consideration. If you never plan to sell or move for a job ... a doner frame may work but may lead to issues in the guture.

Rick Hart:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Rick@westcoasttechnical.com

Rick is right, NC would inspect the car for correct numbers if you tried to register it here.

I replaced the engine from a donor car in my 69. When I scrapped the donor I kept the title, the DMV told me that if the car was ever number checked the title from the donor would prove that I own the parts and they were not stolen.

If you find a donor I would suggest you find one with a title and make sure it is at least signed over to you and have a bill of sale (in NC titles have to be notarized) just so you have a paper trail.

These are just details, the important thing is you and your family are OK.

I had considered Hagerty to insure my car and am now glad I didn't. Great to hear that all worked out for you..

Real Sorry to see and hear about your accident. Don't want to bash ins. Co , But my Neighbor just had finished a 8 year 38 chevy coupe project and on it's third trip out got Rear ended by and SUV. Hagerty is the ins co and he had enough $ in his Value. Long story Short.. New Frame and a Rear Clip ( that took a ton of work to fix B-4 welding back together. The Car has been sitting in the Body shop since Aug. done waiting for the Senior Adjuster to come and approve the additional $$$ needed to release it .
Hope your FIX has no bumps along the road.

Before you replace the frame go talk to a good frame shop. They should be able to straighten your frame.

Do you think doing a rear clip is better than getting all new sheet metal?

I may have a donor car (convertible) in the event yours does not work out. It is engineless and interiorless, but did have the frame done with POR15 with all new lines (brake, gas etc) and suspension.

Located in the Northeast.