Time to nut up. My 911 is totaled.

[Bob Kontak]

A few weeks ago my son hydroplaned "Old Gut"into a tree in Beechwood, OH, one hundred yards from Penske Porsche just off Chagrin Boulevard. 6:50 AM on a feeder road to corporate offices where he works. He bought a giant Big Gulp soda and freaked because it was spilling. Dad would be so pissed he was thinking.

Kind of hit the skinny tree at a 45 degree angle into the drivers side headlight. Burrowed into the structural "box" and squished the battery into the gas tank. It's stuck. Plus things ain't right up there.

Progressive gave me an astoundingly fair offer to take it from me. Close to current market for a "good" SC. Buy back of the carcass was $8,800.

Just a speed bump, I say. Eff it. I love my Porsche and I have the affliction in a favorable way.

30 years ago, it would not have been totaled. But that was then......

Car runs fine except wonky front left wheel my not have the best camber.

OK - technical content. Battery is squeezed - not too tight but would like to get it out. How do you dismantle a lead acid battery? Gas tank drop is the other option. Thoughts?

[SoCalSK8r]

Damn Bob, sorry to hear about your misfortune.

I'd drop the tank, you don't want to dismantle a battery.


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[Tippy]

Originally Posted by SoCalSK8r

Damn Bob, sorry to hear about your misfortune.

I'd drop the tank, you don't want to dismantle a battery.


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I'm with this too

[McLaren-TAG]

Sorry to hear that Bob... I'm sure the hyenas here are salivating for the parts of the carcass.

I like the attitude, it's an opportunity to start a new project!

[SCWDP911]

well, I finally get to be the first on one of these threads to say , eh, that'll buff right out...

[SCWDP911]

Seriously though, sounds as though your son wasn't hurt (physically) and that is the most important thing. Maybe you would get lucky and be able to replace the front pan and suspension. Like has been said, maybe an opportunity to build a track car or a hot rod

[Reiver]

Sorry about the accident but it happens and, on the plus side: you'll be able to bust your sons' chops from now to infinity about this, the insurance company came thru, and you have an intact power train.
Good luck with the future project.

[Matt Monson]

With a settlement check take it to a body shop and let them remove the tank and battery. Then decide where to go from there.

Backdate?
I'm sorry for your loss but as has been mentioned you didn't lose the most important thing, your boy.

[juanbenae]

how much gas is in the tank? when you "drop" the tank you will actually take it up & out from where it sits so getting as much fuel out of it as possible would be 1st, no? I would also cover the positive side of the battery terminal before the 1st thing noted above.... I can not recall, but im pretty sure the battery was out of the car when I "dropped" my tank some years ago. even dusting of the tank against the + terminal could get ugly.. I have to assume the tow truck driver removed the + bat cable? do that before the 1st two things I suggest if not...

if it comes to taking a battery apart you'd need a hazmat team...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I'm sorry for your loss but as has been mentioned you didn't lose the most important thing, your boy.

Dear, God. That's a big plus 1.

He said his shoulder was sore. He's been driving my 03' Passat wagon. I said, maybe it's time you bought your own car. He said "Yes, Sir" and we found him a car.

Poor kid was bawling his eyes out. Got it when he was eight. Now 26.

Now, did he get a little throttle happy almost to the office? Surely, but s*it happens.

[TibetanT]

Bob:

Glad no one was hurt in the process!

Very sorry to hear about this because I know how you felt about your car all these years...been following a lot of your threads, and you helped me when I had a few troubles along the way. I do hope you can rebuild/refurbish this one. All the best.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by car 311

if it comes to taking a battery apart you'd need a hazmat team...

Agree.

I drove it home 30 miles, to Akron, from the crime scene. Not cutting the wind real well but all works. I am not bringing it into the shop until the battery is removed.

13F here in Akron. It can wait a day or two.

[zedsn]

If it were me and I wanted to get my battery out I would find the nearest tree with some straps and a comealong and pull on the bad parts just enough to clear the battery. Might have to drill a couple of holes in different spots and run an eye hook. My 2 cents.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by car 311

I would also cover the positive side of the battery terminal before the 1st thing noted above....

Yep. Need to drain and go slow. Battery is not functioning well with the squeeze. Would really like to take it to "full dead" for safety. Maybe connect terminals and just turn lights on and let it die.

[JFairman]

Sorry to see all the damage but glad your son is OK. Hopefully he learned something from this.
The gas tank doesn't drop or come out from the bottom it's set into the trunk recess from above.
I don't know how to get the squished in place battery out without seeing it. Definately drain the gas first and do everything possible to avoid any sparks.

Good luck with it.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by zedsn

If it were me and I wanted to get my battery out I would find the nearest tree with some straps and a comealong and pull on the bad parts just enough to clear the battery. Might have to drill a couple of holes in different spots and run an eye hook. My 2 cents.

Holes and a slide hammer after battery is dead.

[steely]

Awful sorry about this Bob - hopefully there's another in your future. Am also glad no one was hurt -and I feel bad for the kid.

A hundred years ago I was driving my dad's car and got rear-ended, pushed me into the guy's towing pintel in front of me. I wasn't even moving at the time - felt like ***** and it was only a Scamp.

[74-911]

Don't think that will buff out Bob but with all the good advice and help you have passed out to us less knowledgeable Pelicans, You've got some really good Karma headed your way whatever you decide to do.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by TibetanT

I do hope you can rebuild/refurbish this one. All the best.

Thanks! Took a while for me to get the guts to post the news.

When you have the P disease, this kind of stuff is just noise, I hope.

Where is the smiley with a tear?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

glad your son is OK Bob! Both a little bruised, the car will live on too.

just saw this 911 carrera front structure