Rolled my car into a tree...options?

[Roger 911]

Hey, I'm an idiot! Yes, I can successfully take an engine in and out of my car, but I'm not smart enough to check the e-brake before I remove the wheel chock. Here are the results.



If there are any body men out there, feel free to chime in with an estimate. I'm guessing $800?

Well, this also provides an opportunity to consider some decklid options. First, this is not an all original concours type car. This is a nice "hot rod" used for street and the occasional DE, i.e., keeping all original is not an issue for me. So, with that in mind, I was thinking either a Ducktail, or a 964 motorized spoiler. It is a narrow body car, so I certainly don't want to go crazy with big wings. The Ducktail is a classic, and I have seen these on narrow body cars, and it doesn't look out of place. I think I can transfer everything over from my stock decklid, including the rear wiper. On the other hand, I like the 964 spoiler because when its down, it maintains the simple 911 shape. But when I'm flying down the straights at Road America, it is still providing some down force at the rear.

I'd welcome any comments or tips on either of these options, or if there is something else I should consider.

Roger

[Jerome74911S]

I think you are being optimistic when guessing $800, but I'm basing that on prices near where I live.

How much weight would a 964 lid add? Have you done any looking into finding one?

[Roger 911]

It would add some weight, but I currently have the rear wiper, which also adds some weight. I'm guessing it probably wouldn't be much more than 15 lbs more than my current arrangement. I've seen them selling in the $7-800 range. I thought maybe I could get lucky and find one in Guards Red too.

Roger

[SilberUrS6]

No duck, keep that butt naked. And I'm thinking closer to $2000.

Do a good repair, and call it a lesson learned.

[Robert Adams]

Ugh, that hurts! I'm guessing the cost of a replacement engine lid and new bumper center section will be around $800 with shipping. Think the estimate around $2k painted and out the door is probably closer.

[techweenie]

I don't have an estimate, but I felt obliged to post just to express my sympathy for your situation.

[E Sully]

I was worried when I read the thread title that you had really rolled the car over into a tree.
In my part of NY, probably $2000. I put a small crease in the doors bottom edge of my Honda and they wanted around $1000.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by E Sully

I was worried when I read the thread title that you had really rolled the car over into a tree.
In my part of NY, probably $2000. I put a small crease in the doors bottom edge of my Honda and they wanted around $1000.

True, it could have been worse. Even my feeble attempts to stop it from rolling helped to slow it down and reduce the damage.

Well, it would seem the consensus is in the $2K range. I will certainly file a claim for it. I should be able to do a 964 decklid upgrade in this range, assuming I do all the assembly myself. I probably will have to drop the motor again to deal with a clutch issue, so I can just add this to my list.

Roger

[billybek]

Crap.
That is one of those moments where you think "That wasn't the smartest thing I have ever done"...
We all have our stories.

[kach22i]

I'm sure that the lid and rear middle piece can be found in very light weight pieces.

This is just an opportunity.

[atcjorg]

did you think of throwing yourself in front of the wheels?

Originally Posted by Roger 911

True, it could have been worse. Even my feeble attempts to stop it from rolling helped to slow it down and reduce the damage.

Well, it would seem the consensus is in the $2K range. I will certainly file a claim for it. I should be able to do a 964 decklid upgrade in this range, assuming I do all the assembly myself. I probably will have to drop the motor again to deal with a clutch issue, so I can just add this to my list.

Roger

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by atcjorg

did you think of throwing yourself in front of the wheels?

Sort of. It was not graceful.

Roger

[LJ851]

Looks like it could have used a repaint anyway.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by LJ851

Looks like it could have used a repaint anyway.

Interesting observation. It was actually completely repainted in late 2011. Other than the part that made contact with the tree, it looks pretty nice.

Roger

[allaircooled]

I had a 964 deck lid on my 75. That thing is way heavier than a stock lid. I haven't weighed it yet and if I was home I could weight a stock lid and the 964 lid to compare them for you. But it is definitely heavy.

[RSTarga]

A duck would be more appropriate than a 964 tail. A good body guy could fix the tail, not a bond guy!
Probably cheaper to get a new license panel. 2k sounds about right.

[Flojo]

cant contribute... but may say how sorry I am for you.
what a pity.

[RedCoupe]

Roger, I truly sympathize! I once rolled my TR6 into the front of the family mini van, and I still remember that horrible feeling when I realized that despite me desperately pulling on the front bumper I could not stop gravity from taking over! File your claim, get it fixed, and pretend it never happened!

[LJ851]

Originally Posted by Roger 911

Interesting observation. It was actually completely repainted in late 2011. Other than the part that made contact with the tree, it looks pretty nice.

Roger

I typed in green font because i was joking, i imagine that your sense of humor regarding this subject might be a little thin...

Sorry about the damage, i hope it ends well.

[Roger 911]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

A duck would be more appropriate than a 964 tail. A good body guy could fix the tail, not a bond guy!
Probably cheaper to get a new license panel. 2k sounds about right.

I'm just concerned that the Duck may look a little out of place without the rear flares. When the 964 spoiler is not extended, it looks just like it does now. Then when needed, pop up the spoiler.

Yes, I think it might be tough to repair either panel. I suspect with the lower panel being so close to the muffler, bondo may not fare well down there. For the decklid, I think the impact of opening and shutting it may also cause bondo to crack.