It's stuff like this that makes me want to build one of those tumbler Batmobiles. Then the next time some idiot on a cell phone or nondriving teenage girl cuts me off I can educate them. Ah yes,it's fun to daydream.

 

Word of advice: start looking for replacement trim pieces NOW. The horseshoes are hard to find, even a decent used one that can be refinished can be hard to find. The repos aren't very good. The hood lip pieces are also hard to locate though yours looks like it can be fixed. Bezels aren't too hard to find, don't know if the repos are any good. Grills are out there but not cheap, most NOS ones are late year stampings and look pretty crappy even though they are NOS. The grill emblems are getting more scarce but are still out there NOS. The piece under the headlight bezel are about the only ones that are plentiful.

I have some spare hoods if that would be any help. I have some headlight buckets too. The radiator supports can be harder to find in good shape, hopefully yours isn't too bad and can be reused. Inner fenders and fenders can be hard to locate at times. Repo fenders just came out, no idea if they are any good. Expect some damage at the cowl too.

Battery trays are easy to find. The bumper looks okay but if needed it can be straightened and rechromed for around $350. The repos look fair, but they are slightly misshapen and made out of thinner material than the originals. I have some spare front bumper brackets if you need them.

MAKE SURE THEY CHECK THE FRAME. Even though it may look okay, I'll bet it's tweeked at least a little bit. Even an inch or two off here and there can make a huge difference and screw up the track and ability to get a good alignment. I hope the shop you are going to has a good frame machine and a competent frame machine operator.

Let me know if you need help locating any '65 parts, I'll do what I can to help through what resources I have.

 

Rich, big thanks to you for your offer to help. Ive been looking through my OPGI catalog, and almost everything that I need is sold through them. Im fairly confident that anything that doesnt have a repro part made, my body guys can fix. They are true metal workers that actually fix cars, not just your average ins. company repair facility. The rad support, upper tie bar, lower valance, fenders and inner fenders, grille, fender brace, bumper brackets and almost everything I would need is sold through OPGI so Im not too worried about getting the parts. Plus its all being bought on Allstate's dollar, so I want them to pay full pop for everything. And anything that needs tweaking or bending back into shape, I know they can do it.

As far as the frame goes, I just hope its not too bad. I had big plans for this car and would really be devistated to find out that my frame is trashed. I know they have a big fancy frame machine there and from what I have been told, they are one of the best in town for frame work. Maybe if the frame is bad enough, I can talk the body shop into writing the estimate high enough to buy my backhalf LOL. That would never happen haha. Again, thanks Rich for the offer, Ill let you know if I need anything!

 

Check with OPGI before you take another step. They have a habit of putting things in their catalog that are either not yet available or out of stock and not likely to be back in stock any time soon. Personally, I'd search out and pay for good original parts before I'd use repo sheetmetal or trim pieces. Even if good used parts need further refurbishing they are typically far and away better than pristine repos. I'd also venture a strong guess you would not be pleased with a repo fender on one side and an original on the other. Given how most repo sheetmetal is made, your body guy may spend more time making the repo work than simply cleaning up a good used piece.

I could be wrong, I've never seen any of the reproduction '65 sheetmetal you mentioned in person, but I have seen other reproduction pieces from the same companies and I've rarely been impressed. I'd bet that most of those pieces aren't yet available either. Can you buy the fenders individually or do you have to buy them in pairs?

 

individual. they sell a left and a right. I have never bought anything from them so Im not really sure what the process is. I have this feeling like this is going to become the biggest insurance war ever.

 

Once you get her fixed look at changing Insurance to a company like Hagerty...

Ron

 

That was the next thing on my list. I had Grundy insurance with my '55 and the yearly premium was less than $200. Plus that car was a real bucket and I had it insured for an agreed value of $15,000. This one I think will do alot better with a REAL classic car insurance company. As it is, I have Progressive insurance on the Chevelle. Allstate is the other drivers insurance company. So far they have been very accomodating and more than helpfull, hopefully that will last through this whole experience.

 

My body shop ordered stuff from OPGI, and that was one of the reasons my car was in the shop 7 months, because of the high number of backorders.

 

Thats not good news at all. I gave the adjuster a list of parts that I could see that were damaged. Part names, part numbers and prices. All from OPGI. Hopefully they will just give me a check to get the car fixed on my own. Then I can source good original parts.

When the body shop asseses what parts your going to need to replace. I would take advantage of Rich's offer or get ahold of John aka Allyears, or James at Hinshaws. All very good sources IMO.

Rich is going to check his stuff to see what he has. I will try to talk to the other guys you mentioned if Rich doesnt have some of the stuff.

 

When the body shop asseses what parts your going to need to replace. I would take advantage of Rich's offer or get ahold of John aka Allyears, or James at Hinshaws. All very good sources IMO.

 

Keep in mind---OPGI is not the only one out there.
In a pinch---check the ElCamino Store----since it is all front damage
Impala Bob's has also recently got into Chevelles.

Not gonna reccommend either, as The Elky Store has changed hands and moved since I last got anything from them----and Impala Bob's seems to be a bit pricey.

 

Is the front of an Elco the same as a Chevelle. I figure it is, but I just want to make sure, just in case...

 

Yes it is
And for what it is worth-----same floor all the way back to the rear axle.

My 66 Elky even had the rear seat lower retainers welded to the floor.

 

Well, I have an update! Allstate has assumed complete liability and said that they were going to pay $4400 to fix the car. I think thats reasonable. It shouldnt cost more than that to fix everything that was hurt in the crash. Thats just the initial estimate from Allstate, the bodyshop has more room than that to get more money if they see other things that were damaged. They are an Allstate ProShop certified bodyshop, so if they need more, they just add to the list. Hopefully this all works out ok! Im nervous....

 

Don't worry, mine went from this:

To this:

 

Jeremy, thats a real nice looking car you have there. I hope mine comes out looking that good when I get it back. Did you use replacement parts to fix the damage or source originals?

 

I didn't do anything, the body shop took care of everything.

I would've not a lot of backordering and sourcing parts problems that they did, and it would've saved a lot of time, but it was nice not having to do anything except call and bug them.

Most of what was replaced is either refurbished original or repop. The hood is a repop but so is the one that was damaged. They got it to line up much better!

 

I hear that. Thats what my body guys told me too. To "not worry about the car, we will take care of it" Its just hard to not worry about it.

 

Well, friggin FINALLY! After waiting for more than a month, the insurance company lying to me repeatedley, and more frustration than I could ever wish on anyone (other than that B**** that caused the accident)! I finally called Allstate today and told them that if they did not pay the claim in full, and stop stringing me along that I was going to have my attorney file a suit against their insured for the full amount. Mostly because they were stupid and didnt realize that I know a thing or two about insurance claims now. They will be sending me a check for the full estimate amount!! I couldnt be happier!

So, I will be removing my interior and trim parts, along with probably the engine and transmission before I send it over to the body shop. I will be having them smooth the firewall, mini tub the back end and repaint the car completely along with repair the obvious damage from the accident. Now Im excited! Only took a month and a week!!

 

I think perhaps suggesting to the insurance company, at the outset, that your neck hurts, or going to see a doctor about your neck, and letting the insurance company know, helps you get a just settlement. This is not a recommendation that anyone should lie, and I doubt anyone here would, but if you give the impression to the insurance company that you might try to go for some kind of personal injury settlement, they will be more willing to give you a fair settlement for your car. It gives you a little more leverage.

So anyways, glad you got them to come around, now you can finally get started on teh repair!

 

I actually thought about going to have my back looked at. Then I thought about it, and the whole reason this took so long and caused me so much frustration is because the insurance company lied and so did the woman that caused the accident. I went through this whole thing without straying from the truth once, even a little bit. I just figured that I would get my money one way or another, either by suing? or getting the insurance company to do the right thing. Im just glad it didnt take any longer than it already has!! Thanks Andy!

 

Congrats :beers:

At least your accident was with someone who had enough insurance :yes:

Lucky for me I was well insured and just went thru my policy to get my stuff fixed and then the Insurance company had to go after him for reimbursement

 

Allstate = criminals.

 

Trust me call James Hinshaw for you parts and tell him Brandon sent you (guy with 72 ls1 chevelle).I bought alot from him and got a GREAT deal and love going to his shop even if I don't have money to buy, he will least let me hang out and learn!!!!!!!! Thumps Up to James Hinshaw of Hinshaw Chevelle!!!!!

 

I may do that. Does he sell repops or used originals?

 

Heh, I had to wait almost that long for the check from MY insurance company.

 

Try True Connections in Riverside. Dick sometimes have original parts for our cars. Original stuff for our cars are hard to find. I have few NOS grill pieces for this reason. I used have a spare front clip but I sold it. I know, I'm an idiot