Tragedy struck - Tow accident. Input appreciated

[Maluminse]

71 911 in garage storage.

Tow hired to take to new location. Car has been stored for years. Car has very old tags, dust, covered by tarps, cracked windshield. Tow driver is informed that engine doesnt run. Tires had to be inflated and only hold air for 15 minutes.

Tow driver putting car down. Driver gets in, car begins to roll back off of truck.

Door swings open catches fence. Door is opened all the way back as car rolls off tow truck.

Tow driver explains he thought the brakes would work better.

Owner of tow company looks at car but decides opening the door is a bad idea as it appears the door will contact the front fender and possibly bend it. (See video)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYeqiNg0gLI&feature=youtu.be

I wanted photos of the inside, where the hinge is. The attached hinge photo is from the same model but NOT my car. The other photo is my car.

The tow driver took photos but claims he lost them in the past 10 days after I told him I wanted a copy.

How are the lines near the latch flush and true? Is the fender pulled back? If the door was bent I would think the lines all around would be off.

Damage? Is it just to repair? Or does damage include the decrease in value of an otherwise never wrecked body?

[snbush67]

I think that probably the hinges were just pulled out of line. You can open the door slightly and loosen the bolts holding the hinges, don't loosen them too much, just enough that you can carefully adjust the door and hinges.


Put something in between the door to prevent damage to the paint.


If you are able to see the hinges you should be able to tell if they moved based upon the paint.

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by snbush67

I think that probably the hinges were just pulled out of line. You can open the door slightly and loosen the bolts holding the hinges, don't loosen them too much, just enough that you can carefully adjust the door and hinges.


Put something in between the door to prevent damage to the paint.


If you are able to see the hinges you should be able to tell if they moved based upon the paint.

Interesting. Thats what the tow truck company owner suggested it might be.

Thats a big relief. Stressing this way too much.

[MBAtarga]

I think the fix is much more complex than thought. The door skin itself is likely tweaked and now is proud at the front fender seam area. That is why it hits now. I don't think the door hinges themselves were bent or moved.

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

I think the fix is much more complex than thought. The door skin itself is likely tweaked and now is proud at the front fender seam area. That is why it hits now. I don't think the door hinges themselves were bent or moved.

This is more along the lines of what I thought. At first I was thinking the fender was pulled back. But looking at the hinge it appears the door is not attached to the fender but to a frame piece.

The door is bent. That makes sense. Thats why the lines are still straight and flush except at the front fender side.

Basically the door needs to be removed and the metal pounded back.


All in all the car should go to a specialist in Porsches.

The tow owner needs to just make a claim so an adjustor can come out.

[RSTarga]

Usually the door skin gives before the hinges bend or the mounting panel bends. Did it make contact with the fender?
Until the door is straightened out you won't know, but not a big deal for a good body man.
Post a picture of the damage.

[jac1976]

There are many more knowledgeable folks on here than myself, but I would get the ball rolling sooner than later. Find a reputable shop that has worked on 911s take a look at it initially. I would not want a run-of-the mill body shop accustomed to assuaging body panels on body-on-frame vehicles getting their hands on it first. Their end point is usually smooth panels and "close enough" gaps, this just makes more work for the next guy who recognizes this a monocoque and corrects the real problem. This is not to say that the damage is anything more than those above have surmised, but I would want the initial assessment and work done by people who know what they are doing and I would want it done on the tow company's dime.

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Usually the door skin gives before the hinges bend or the mounting panel bends. Did it make contact with the fender?
Until the door is straightened out you won't know, but not a big deal for a good body man.
Post a picture of the damage.

I sent a friend and the owner of the tow company to get me photos. See video above.

My friend and the tow owner agreed that opening the door further could damage the fender.

So as of now I have no photos of the damage.

What arouses suspicion is that the tow driver took photos the day it happened and before he closed the door.

He 'lost' the photos since then which was about a week ago.

There is nothing to hide as there is no question its damaged.

Edit: What Im wrestling with is whether to insist on a Porsche specialist or agree to let the owners dads body shop handle it.

That sounds wrong. I should make a claim and have an adjustor render their opinion

[blpetry]

"I would want the initial assessment and work done by people who know what they are doing and I would want it done on the tow company's dime."

^ That... Don't screw with it. Take it to a proper shop for an estimate and take it from there.

[snbush67]

My interpretation of the OP is that that the door was open, as the car was rolling back the inside of the door caught the fence post, not the outer skin side.


Either way take it to a specialist to get it evaluated and fixed. If its a hinge adjustment it will take about 10 minutes. If it is something bigger than you'll get it done right.

[snbush67]

Also after watching the video again it looks like you have chipped the paint on the leading edge of the door already, if that's the case then you're going to have that added expense.

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by jac1976

There are many more knowledgeable folks on here than myself, but I would get the ball rolling sooner than later. Find a reputable shop that has worked on 911s take a look at it initially. I would not want a run-of-the mill body shop accustomed to assuaging body panels on body-on-frame vehicles getting their hands on it first. Their end point is usually smooth panels and "close enough" gaps, this just makes more work for the next guy who recognizes this a monocoque and corrects the real problem. This is not to say that the damage is anything more than those above have surmised, but I would want the initial assessment and work done by people who know what they are doing and I would want it done on the tow company's dime.

Agreed. In order to be assured it will be paid Ill have to have the two owner make an insurance claim. Otherwise the fixing shop has my car and a bill.

These guys look pretty serious about Porsche.

Uber-Werks - Vehicle Restoration + Design | Classic Porsche Restoration and Modification by Thomas Otten – San Antonio, Texas

Edit: They might only do restoration. I thought there was a sticky of shops regionally on this forum.

[RSTarga]

If you are in San Antonio, I wouldn't take it anywhere except Jones Autowerkes for the body repair. They don't do paint in house anymore. Their body guy is one of the best I've seen. If you visit their shop, you'll be impressed.
210-657-1111.
Not the cheapest for sure but it will be perfect.
I've never heard of the other guy ever.

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

If you are in San Antonio, I wouldn't take it anywhere except Jones Autowerkes for the body repair. They don't do paint in house anymore. Their body guy is one of the best I've seen. If you visit their shop, you'll be impressed.
210-657-1111.
Not the cheapest for sure but it will be perfect.
I've never heard of the other guy ever.

Thanks. Ive heard of them. Every time its sent out I hold my breath.

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

If you are in San Antonio, I wouldn't take it anywhere except Jones Autowerkes for the body repair. They don't do paint in house anymore. Their body guy is one of the best I've seen. If you visit their shop, you'll be impressed.
210-657-1111.
Not the cheapest for sure but it will be perfect.
I've never heard of the other guy ever.

Couldn't agree more. I am over there every few weeks. If you're in San Antonio, or in the region, this is the place to go.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Maluminse

Edit: What Im wrestling with is whether to insist on a Porsche specialist or agree to let the owners dads body shop handle it.

That sounds wrong. I should make a claim and have an adjustor render their opinion

Christ, NO! His best interest won't align with yours. Get an independent specialist, preferably someone with earlier Porsche experience.

[jac1976]

Oh, and use the tow company Cathy Jones recommends.

[Bphawk1]

The door post could be rolled as well. Happened to my 83 SC.

[Maluminse]

Originally Posted by jac1976

Oh, and use the tow company Cathy Jones recommends.

Jones doesnt do body repair anymore. Anyone have other recommendations?

[Macroni]

Early car Texas..... find Ed Mayo.