Front end damage repair cost

[Hill3312]

Hello!

I picked up a 1980 SC for a steal recently, and am ready to begin sorting out all the issues. The previous owner drove it under a truck and there is some considerable front end damage. The rest of the car is dent and rust free.

I have purchased new headlights, headlight trim, and fog lights. I plan to bring the car to a body shop for the front end damage as well as have the car completely resprayed.

I want to be armed with some general ball-park prices before I go off and get quotes. I have included some attachments, what can I expect to pay to have the work done correctly?

[Flat6pac]

If you're doing a good paint job, the fenders will be removed anyway, along with hood, bumpers, doors, glass, etc.
if the repair of the hood exceeds the cost of a good used one, as with the fenders, repair or replace as part of the paint job.
Do your part of the job by locating and possessing the replacement parts
Bruce

[Otter74]

What do the gaps at the windshield and doors look like? Do the doors open without interference? On the basis of those photos only, it looks as if only bolt-on panels (fenders, hood) would need to be replaced.

[Hill3312]

Originally Posted by Otter74

What do the gaps at the windshield and doors look like? Do the doors open without interference? On the basis of those photos only, it looks as if only bolt-on panels (fenders, hood) would need to be replaced.

Panel gap and function is all 100%

- So I should get quotes on repairs for the bolt on body parts, and purchase uses pieces if it isn't cost effective to repair the originals. What's can I expect for pricing on a decent paint job for this car?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

Do your part of the job by locating and possessing the replacement parts
Bruce

+1

Early 2015 I purchased all exterior hanging parts for $2,200 off of an SC that had an engine fire. Brackets, lights, accordion thingies, fasteners all sheet metal and bumper. It was $2,500 "Buy it now" and the west coast bone yard gave me a $300 credit for the H4 headlights I did not want.

[Bob Kontak]

Paint job prices. You in BFE, West Virginia or downtown Manhattan? There are regional and rural-ish vs urban differences.

Let's say Pioria, Il. I have to think $6k will get you a pretty decent paint job. 11k a nice job and then the sky is the limit after that.

If it's painted like a minivan, 4K might come out nice.

Not being a snob, lots of work on these cars to prep properly. The minivan method bypasses a lot of this.

[Bob Kontak]

Food for thought. There are guys like me that can do this work. 2nd income, semi retirement codgers (and youngsters) that would happily fix your front end and polish up the balance without a full respray.

Get your headlight buckets functional and drive it. Being able to drive it is like having a job when you are looking for another. You think more clearly.

[Otter74]

I suppose I would source good replacement panels (unless the shop can do this, though if they can you might could do it for less) and then get a quote for prep, fitting, painting and the other details. The hood looks like it might be able to be fixed by a paintless dent removal guy or a good body person. The right fender, at least, will have to be replaced (see pinch near the hood about six inches behind the light bucket) in order to be done correctly.)

Originally Posted by Hill3312

Panel gap and function is all 100%

- So I should get quotes on repairs for the bolt on body parts, and purchase uses pieces if it isn't cost effective to repair the originals. What's can I expect for pricing on a decent paint job for this car?

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Are you going to keep it the original color? If you ever need anything for this project don't hesitate to let me know.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

Are you going to keep it the original color? If you ever need anything for this project don't hesitate to let me know.

I like the gold. Hope he keeps it.

Lots of goodies he can source from PP.

New smiley if tired. Fender fastener kit. Fender caulk (welting?) headlight beauty ring gasket. Extra wide beading between fender and cowl. Front spoiler if a rear one is present. New windshield squirty one way valves at the nozzles.

[Jdub]

I am really wanting to know what you paid. Often folks just don't think when they sell and I was on the good end of one of those deals. After years wrenching British iron the 911 was a freaking revelation. You are so lucky to have that SC and if the price was low the luckiest guy reading this post.

What Bob said is worth reflecting on - don't rush right into this without some forethought. Paint is the last item I will tackle on my car - the money I have sunk into it revived trans, top end, brakes, suspension, interior, battery/alt/fuse panel work, fat Fuchs and RE-11s, etc. Point is take some time and make this a rolling restoration.

It always helps if you have some mechanical skills, but these cars are pretty straightforward. Good luck!

[bhmkv]

I would say 8-10k for the replacement fenders, lights, hood repair and glass out respray same color.

[onboost]

As far as panel replacement, looks to only needs the right fender and a couple of headlight rings.
The rest of the damage should be taken care of along with the prep for paint. As everyone else said.. check out the trim as there will be numerous items to replace during reassembly.

Not knowing what part of the country you're in, or who you may know in the body shop business I would suggest that price would be hard to quote.

[Hill3312]

Originally Posted by onboost

As far as panel replacement, looks to only needs the right fender and a couple of headlight rings.
The rest of the damage should be taken care of along with the prep for paint. As everyone else said.. check out the trim as there will be numerous items to replace during reassembly.

Not knowing what part of the country you're in, or who you may know in the body shop business I would suggest that price would be hard to quote.

I'm in San Diego! We have good paint and body shops basically everywhere. I have actually restored a car myself. I only had a few months to do it, but I'm self employed so I had the time. I have a fair amount of knowledge and skill when it comes to cars... I just want this one done right.

I am going to keep the gold, but the car will also be vinyl wrapped for the duration of my ownership. I have included some photos of the SC's good side, and also the little gem that I managed to bring back to life myself. Any Datsun fans?

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Oh my!! That Z is beautiful! Big fan. I have a buddy building up one right now. Assuming that is a wrap on yours?

[wayner]

Unless it looks worse in person, I'd be tempted to just call one of those painless dent repair guys to come out to the house and take care of the worst of it.

[Jdub]

Tuborgs on the grassy slopes of Lime Rock...510's blasting around in Bob Sharp livery...good times! I remember the Z as the Brit car killer...what a shame Nadar bent the open-top market just at that time or we'd have seen a factory built Z Cabriolet.

[Otter74]

Great-looking Z car. I love the Fairlady-style flares and wing mirrors.

And, of course, I love the color on the 911.

[Hill3312]

Picked up a fender today for 300 in pretty good condition.

Paid 10k for the car btw, for those wondering.

[Hill3312]

Fender has arrived, and looks to be in really good condition.

I noticed that the later year Carreras must have relocated their radio antenna. I could always drill a hole for it, but I rarely use the radio and prefer the clean look.

If I removed the antenna components and just installed the new fender as is, would that be an issue to some buyers when I sell the car in the future? I want the car to retain as much value as possible.