Beautiful Original 5-speed... SIDESWIPED
10-29-14, 06:55 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Beautiful Original 5-speed... SIDESWIPED
Today while I was at work my car was sideswiped by a big rig....
I really wanted to keep my oem almost pristine pearl white ride FOREVER, or at least until I kicked the bucket.
The big rig drivers insurance has already claimed liability because he was clearly at fault, and tomorrow the appraiser will be coming to check out the car. What can I do here? I cannot stop thinking about it!!!
I really wanted to keep my oem almost pristine pearl white ride FOREVER, or at least until I kicked the bucket.
The big rig drivers insurance has already claimed liability because he was clearly at fault, and tomorrow the appraiser will be coming to check out the car. What can I do here? I cannot stop thinking about it!!!
10-29-14, 07:17 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
All right last pity party pic
So overall beside body work and 3 curbed rims, it doesn't look so bad right? Just need a new or used steering rack right? At least then I'll be able to drive around
So overall beside body work and 3 curbed rims, it doesn't look so bad right? Just need a new or used steering rack right? At least then I'll be able to drive around
10-29-14, 07:19 PM
#7
BUMMER! Don't let them total it! If you have to, talk them into letting you keep it for a couple of hundred less than total & fix it. You live in CALI so there's lot s of SC's for parts there. Doesn't look like it damaged more than a few bolt on parts. (No frame damage)
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10-29-14, 07:40 PM
#9
Since you say wanted to keep it forever(like most of us) I'll say you're VERY lucky the damage was not focused on the rear quarter panel(considered a total). I'd say you're right on the steering part..the rest will buff out 
....but seriously looks nothing a little bondo and paint couldn't fix body wise. As for the rims I don't know how insurance handles that. But just stay calm when talking to them and point out all the facts.
edit: The fender can be got used and even a door if bondo does not work or isn't an option. Best of luck and keep us posted...Nice ride btw!
....but seriously looks nothing a little bondo and paint couldn't fix body wise. As for the rims I don't know how insurance handles that. But just stay calm when talking to them and point out all the facts.edit: The fender can be got used and even a door if bondo does not work or isn't an option. Best of luck and keep us posted...Nice ride btw!
10-29-14, 10:23 PM
#11
Damn. This is why I worry about crappy street parking for work.
Your rear quarter looks good. Steering rack or other bits of it look shot. Major things look like a new/rebuilt rack and possibly control arms plus a new/used front fender, new/used front bumper (KEEP your unobtanium original lip!), possibly a used door and hinge and some body work.
If the parts are sourced new... it will come out to a lot. If you can source those parts in perfect shape from a scrapyard you may come out okay. I would explain to your insurance company how you do want to keep the car and show ALL records of permanent (i.e.: no clutches or brake pad changes, etc.) changes made to the vehicle from stock or new leather, etc. to preserve as much additional value as you can when consulting with the adjustor and your agent. Those TT wheels for instance if you have a receipt for the sale. This is an important reason to keep ALL your service records and get receipts whenever possible for parts new or used.
Be prepared to go to bat. Find the thread here that details the production numbers of 5-speed SC300's. There were only 3,883 originals ever made. Also look up as many SC300 5-speed ads in California and nationwide in similar shape prior to your accident on Craigslist and Autotrader. They will be going off KBB which will not reflect the actual market values for original 5-speeds so be prepared.
There are SC's in pick-a-part yards in southern California and there are some of those parts on ebay. You'll need to get creative. Even more than the body work it needs to be determined that the front suspension parts are OK. You want it to drive perfectly straight again.
Your rear quarter looks good. Steering rack or other bits of it look shot. Major things look like a new/rebuilt rack and possibly control arms plus a new/used front fender, new/used front bumper (KEEP your unobtanium original lip!), possibly a used door and hinge and some body work.
If the parts are sourced new... it will come out to a lot. If you can source those parts in perfect shape from a scrapyard you may come out okay. I would explain to your insurance company how you do want to keep the car and show ALL records of permanent (i.e.: no clutches or brake pad changes, etc.) changes made to the vehicle from stock or new leather, etc. to preserve as much additional value as you can when consulting with the adjustor and your agent. Those TT wheels for instance if you have a receipt for the sale. This is an important reason to keep ALL your service records and get receipts whenever possible for parts new or used.
Be prepared to go to bat. Find the thread here that details the production numbers of 5-speed SC300's. There were only 3,883 originals ever made. Also look up as many SC300 5-speed ads in California and nationwide in similar shape prior to your accident on Craigslist and Autotrader. They will be going off KBB which will not reflect the actual market values for original 5-speeds so be prepared.
There are SC's in pick-a-part yards in southern California and there are some of those parts on ebay. You'll need to get creative. Even more than the body work it needs to be determined that the front suspension parts are OK. You want it to drive perfectly straight again.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 10-29-14 at 10:26 PM.
