90 GM -- side impact damage and repair

[monterey1962]

Back in mid-January, a stupid little 18 yr. old bitch on her cell phone ran a stop sign and took out my mom's '90 GM. Gorgeous car ... at least ... it was ... LINKY. Insurance totaled out the car. Mom bought it back at salvage value and is still driving it.

Below are some pics of the damage. It was decent enough weather today, so I was able to wash the car and get a good clear view of the damage. Since the accident, we've gone back and forth with either fixing it or replacing it. Body shop estimates are $3,700 for the full repair. It's a goddamn rip off, so I'll be doing as much work myself as possible if we do decide to repair it. So far, it needs two doors, the B-pillar pulled out at the rear door's lower hinge, the floor to be fixed under the rear door (it folded some), and a portion of the rear quarter panel will need replacing. I can prep/paint new doors and mount them, strip the interior trim, and a few other things myself. Essentially, I just need a shop to do the B-pillar, floor, and quarter panel. Body shops want to charge $300 per door (JUST the door, no paint work) and they want to change out interior trim. Any way to make a buck. Best bet would be to find a nice parts car so I can use the doors for the '90 and the rest of it for my '88's restoration.

I'll continue to post updates here when things happen. I wouldn't mind some input from you fellas in case you guys see something that I'm missing.

Pics of the gray car are my '89 CV, and are there for comparison so you guys can see how far the pillar was pushed in.

[87gtVIC]

Do you have access to a welder?

If so i think you can save the b pillar. It does look pushed in a bit, but nothing to bad as far as i can tell.
If you have access to a welder then you can try to tack on a nice square piece of steel, starting away from the center. You want to pull from the outsides towards the middle.

With the steel attached, bolt on a fixture that you can then attach a heavy duty slap hammer to and have at it. It will take a bunch of trier, removing and re tacking the steel, but eventually you will get it in the ballpark.

[p71towny]

I don't mean to be a downer but shit like that is never the same again. Now if she wants a driver that she plans to drive till the wheels fall off then fuck it. I'd leave it as is and drive it into the ground.

[grandpaslincoln]

Wish I were closer, I'd do the shit the shop would do but do it for free. Well, cept for perogies or something, I works for perogies.

[89merk]

if that can't be mostly fixed by buying 2 doors, or by having some one you know doing the work at a REASONABLE price. I'd say its time for a DEMOLITION DERBY.

[mrltd]

We've got a perfect donor, same color and everything, just drive to Scotts!

[87gtVIC]

You can probably even skip the welding deal and leave the lower rear door bracket on and attach a slap hammer to that. It can be done by yourself. BUt like what was said above it will not come back one hundred percent. You can save a huge amount if you can do, or attempt to do that part by yourself.

[Lincolnmania]

i got a donor car and perogies!

[Southern_Pride]

You need one of those stud welder dealies and a slide hammer. It would come almost all the way out.

[RunUoveR]

damn id be pissed

if worse comes to wors you could get all the good stuff off of that car and put it on the donar car as well

[monterey1962]

Do you have access to a welder?

No.

I don't mean to be a downer but shit like that is never the same again.

Sadly, I know. This is something we are keeping in mind. I have to get under the car and get a good look at the frame, mounts, and drive-train before making a decision. It seems to drive just like it did before. I'm a little afraid to invest the time and money due to the fact that there could be some little problems with the car down the road that would be from the initial accident.

You need one of those stud welder dealies and a slide hammer. It would come almost all the way out.

How heavy of a slide hammer do you fellas think would be required? I've got a dinky little p.o.s. one, and a fairly large one (courtesy of my ex-neighbor who was super cool in sharing automotive knowledge, I miss that guy).

We've got a perfect donor, same color and everything, just drive to Scotts!

Two day drive to Scott. If he was closer, two of my Panthers would be sitting in his yard.

[87gtVIC]

a really big slap hammer. To repair my quarter panel they used a large one (had to be over 10 pounds and really slapped the shit out of my car to get the metal moving.

[Pirate]

Take the check and buy another low-mile car for Mom. Part this car out, and stir until it thickens.

[monterey1962]

Take the check and buy another low-mile car for Mom. Part this car out, and stir until it thickens.

I've offered to sell her my '89 CV for a good price. I'd then buy her car for parts. It's just another option we have.

[CheeseSteakJim]

If you were closer I'd offer my services at an extremely discounted price. I'm certified in UMS and on a frame machine, and also can paint and do bodywork.

Anyone who says a vehicle can't be 100% after a bad collision has never met a good frame guy. I have proof against such a statement sitting in my driveway. You'll see.