1997 Mercury Grand Marquis LS

[sly]

driveway culvert.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

What was it that he hit about 2 seconds before the car stopped.? That was the big damage.

Gravel driveway where the drain is for the ditch, or slightly to the right of it.



Anyway, the core support definitely took most of the damage and tweaked the fender from all the twisting at the bottom. If the frame has a tweak, it's on the driver side and is minimal from what I could see today. Present plan is to repair unless I catch something worse during the tear down. Expectations are that it will likely need the driver side frame horn adjusted slightly, but I could not find any kinking in the frame, so it may only have a slight bend.

I've already telephoned Nick, he'll be looking to source replacement air bags and possibly the whole dash. The passenger airbag created some small cracks in the dash pad around the door, and while everything is still functional, it's not perfect, so the whole thing might be replaced.

A good friend of mine has offered some working space, contingent on the completion to be done before Spring Break here, per his wife. Once everything is straightened, aligned, and replaced, I'll send it to Columbia, SC for paint and minor PDR.

Anyway, that's the current plan. Obviously there's still a chance of finding something that results in perma-death, but I'll try to keep a slightly positive attitude about it.

[p71towny]

These vehicles are pretty stout. I mean, the police would drive the cop car the same to go after a perp then send it to the body shop. Panthers are the timex watch of cars.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

These vehicles are pretty stout. I mean, the police would drive the cop car the same to go after a perp then send it to the body shop. Panthers are the timex watch of cars.

I wouldn't disagree. Patrol vehicles see all sorts of shit; I've put a few back together at work after some misadventures. I've kinda wondered if it was a lower slung car if it would have ramped the way it did or just smashed into that driveway.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Things that aren't properly straight...

...this.


Fast/rough estimates are about 1" high and 3/4" backwards.


Passenger side:




Driver side:




Core support:



Anyway, that's where I'm at right now. Partial tear down to see things better. Header panel has a minor crack under the headlight area and a noticeable one where the grille should be. I've reached out to Nick about it since I'm not sure who has a frame rack down here. I still cannot find any kinks or cracks in the frame, but it's definitely bent enough to warrant needing straightening before anything starts being replaced. If it's determined to be compromised beyond repair, then I guess we will arrive at the final chapter.

[friskyfrankie]

Do whatever you can to save it (within economic reason)!

[Kodachrome Wolf]

My story with the '97 concluded on the 4th. Sold to TecNickal. He's the right person for getting it fixed right and re-homing it, hopefully nowhere near either of us on the principle while we both still like the car, the consensus is neither of us rather not find it in a wrecking yard close to home after the fact. Currently facing the final weeks of working towards buying a house, moving, and all the other stuff in between, unfortunately a inoperable car does not fit into things and I had to let it go.



Over 12 years (really can't count the 13th, for reasons ) I got a reliable 132K miles from the car as the second owner. Learned a lot on it, and appreciated the experience. Got me through high school, college, and three jobs. Took me as far west as Texas and Missouri, and as far north as Pennsylvania. Don't think I could have asked for a better car.

[87gtVIC]

That’s a tough one to do. But it has served its purpose under your ownership and we can’t hold onto things forever.

[Tiggie]

Let us not forget the really nice LTD now in your possession!

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Let us not forget the really nice LTD now in your possession!

Very true. The LTD is here to stay and effectively plays as the replacement. While it's not the exact same, there's a very familiar sensation sliding behind the wheel of a sedan again.