Bashed in parking lot ... my poor little car!

[jeffbottman]

I returned to my '86 targa after a rowing session at the lake to find a huge dent in the front driver's side quarter panel (see pic), the perpetrator left a note with contact info, luckily.

I am looking for advice on how to make sure this gets properly repaired. Car is garnet metallic, so getting a decent paint match will be an issue for sure.

I am guessing that the sheet metal needs replacement rather than hammering into (approximate) shape, does that sound right? If so, how best to source the part?

I have Allstate insurance, they have been great in the past. I live in Seattle, so if anyone can point me to a first rate 911-skilled body shop I would be greatly indebted.

Thanks for your help in advance, --Jeff

[universeman]

You’ll probably need a new fender. Allstate will pay to have it repaired. Let a good body shop handle ordering you a new OEM fender ... good luck

[john walker's workshop]

Call Marv Engstrom @ Magic Customs in Lynnwood. Looks savable to me.

[bpu699]

Go on you tube and watch some of the paint free dent removal guys. Some of those videos are amazing, they save huge dents and it looks perfect...

[wayne robson]

I disagree in new panel, this is an easy job for an experienced body builder,
plus when done you can always say car has original panels.
You as the owner remove all parts like lights, front bumper,washer bottles etc
behind panel, its an easy job ,then you can be sure parts wont get lost ,which
happens often.
Paint is the big thing , a experienced painter will match as well.
Dont let the painter talk you into painting the whole side, if they try
and do this ,they are not worth letting them do the job ,as they are not good at there job.
Now this is as long as there there know other damage that can not been seen , hood, etc
good luck.
,

[needspeed]

That has to be totaled. Not salvageable. How much do you want for it? ;-)

[pmax]

Ouch, looks like open season on 911's
Need a body shop..Bafoon backing in a parking lot. See pic

Tough one, OP. Preserve the original paint (I presume) , pop it out etc or replace and repaint the fender.
I would lean towards the former if this were mine. Good luck !

[VMAX1]

I know the feeling. I was sitting in my car in a parking lot texting texting and some ol dude was backing thru the parking lot thru the parking spaces. Never saw him coming and BAM. Good luck and don't let the ins. co. screw you over.

[RSBob]

Parking lots are the #1 place to get hit according to the Insurance Institute. Maybe that’s why the majority of classic car insurers don’t allow running errands.

When bored at work on the 3rd floor next to a retail parking lot, it was great fun to watch how people parked on curbs, drove way too fast, drove on the wrong side, had near misses and so much dumb stuff.

Back in 82 I lived in a condo complex with carports. One morning i was shocked to see my 72 911T had been backed into with the engine lid sporting a 6” crease. They missed the overriders very nicely. No note by the perp. State Farm was not amused either.

Sorry your car got hit. The top rated and only Seattle Porsche certified repair facility is Queen City Auto Rebuild in Redmond. I have always had excellent work done by them.

[enzo1]

[enzo1]

[nathanbs]

Definitely try PDR first but it definitely can be fixed versus replaced. This is beneficial for many reasons especially because it will allow the color to be blended within the fender. If you replace the fender you will need to blend the door and possibly the hood for proper color match. Any legitimate shop can easily match that color. The hard part maybe getting Allstate on board to pay a proper labor rate for a classic porsche in case the shops that you find to work on it won't work for piss poor rates. You can however argue you way through it I can attest to that. Let me know if you need any further help or advice as this is my wheel house

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Looks savable to me.

absolutely. a pro can handle that.
saving the fender will also guarantee that it fits as it should.

[Nick Triesch]

Just pop it out from the other side and paint a daisy on it. Far out!

[VWLoosenuts]

Originally Posted by enzo1

wow!!!!!!!!!!