R.i.p. '83

[Guest765]

Originally Posted by Brozoar

I got no money. Money enough for new panels, if I pinch pennies for a while, that's about it.

If you're right, and that mount has moved, then it really isn't probably worth it. I'll keep you guys posted.

save that money you meant for panels, bend those on there out enough that they don't interfere with the wheel, and take it to a trusted body shop with a frame stretcher and see how far your money will get you.

again, sorry for the loss.

[Porsche_951]

I'm sorry for your loss man. Where are you located? I have some parts I can give you if your near me.

[v2rocket_aka944]

pull off that fender and show pics

[mattdavis11]

That's no good, man. Kind of wish it had been mine that got creamed. I'm really sorry to hear, I'm partial the to the black 83's.

[Brozoar]

Thanks for all your compassion, guys. Y'all are so much easier to turn to than my ma and pa, they just don't get what I'm going through. =P It's funny, but I didn't like the black at first. It definitely grew on me...

That's actually good advice, fwayfarer. I'm hoping this dude (who happens to be well-equipped - he buys 100s of clunkers and stretches, bends, and fixes them up to sell) will take on the task as a return favor to my dad. I feel guilty using up my pa's favor, but he says the guy'll never pay him, so I might as well cash-in..

Yo Porsche_951, thanks for the offer. =) That's very kind. I'm around Ann Arbor, MI. What kind of parts are you talkin'?

[Porsche_951]

I am located in Wisconsin so not that far away. Well It looks like you'll need a fender and some suspension. I have a complete parts car with lots of bits I won't use. I would love to help keep one on the road if you can get the frame pulled.

[Brozoar]

That would be sweet, man! I think the door would cost an absurd amount to ship (if you even have one), but I'd take a strut for that front passenger's side wheel... I can of course pay you for shipping if you have it and don't mind parting with it?

I'd ask for a fender too, but I found one for $25 already off of the vehicle right in my neck of the woods. =D

Think I'm going with fwayfarer's advice - replace the strut, take it around to a few body shops and see if I get any hits. The big concern, from what I understand, is that both the A-pillar and B-pillar on that side are bent now, so 1)unwarping my roof enough that the sunroof can be closed, and 2)bending back the pillars so that the hinge and door latch registration is adequate, will be tricky for anyone willing to have at it. But I know I'm not going to get s**t for it as a salvage.

[t-cup]

My brother owns a body shop in the area--Belleville--if you need the car painted PM me and I'll put in a call... IIRC he restored an 83 about 15 years back for himself, so I'm sure he'd be glad to work on another one.

Tim

[Cane Corso]

Man I hope I never feel what your feeling. I'd be crushed. I feel for ya mate.

CC

[t-cup]

Originally Posted by fwayfarer

please learn to read threads. he has no fault insurance (basically liability) and he has been found at fault. there will be nothing from the insurance company.

Dude, seriously, lighten up.

[Brozoar]

Sweet, Belleville is just over yonder. Any chance he has experience stretching frames back? Even if not, just knowing there's a good local body shop that will touch the things is good news.

Thanks for the sentiments, sexy-Peter Griffin (Cane). :P

Hey I'm going to send you a PM about those parts, Porsche_951.

[t-cup]

Yes. He has extensive frame repair experience. When I was in college in the early 90s, I bought an '89 Civic that had been hit by a train in the driver door /quarter panel. Roof was slightly bucked, pan dented in about 1 foot. He fixed it, I drove it for a year and a half at which point I sold it for a profit and paid my last year's tuition.

Shop is called Scott's Collision Center. He keeps a bunch of photos on the shop Facebook page. Check out the Jeep that was rolled.

Scott's Collision Center - Local Business - Belleville, Michigan | Facebook

Tell him his brother in Atlanta sent you...

Tim

[Brozoar]

... You have no idea what a huge help that is, thank you! If I get that tire un-cambered I'll definitely pay him a visit.

P.S. [addressed to the general audience] Are the body panels on these things spot-welded, or riveted on? Any good guides on installation/removal?

[mikepellegrini]

The fender is bolted on, but with glue (kinda tar-like stuff). They're not too tough to get off (although with yours, the way it's twisted, it might be somewhat more difficult - I'd have to look at the picture again). The secret is heating up the joints (to make the glue release).

The strut mount is part of the uni-body.

The door is just (I think) four bolts and a couple electrical connections.

If you have problems with the rear quarter panel, that's integral to the frame and would either have to be straightened, or have a clip fitted (welded in).

[Brozoar]

Well... my cousin and his friend made their way over to my folks' house to check out the damage, and my worst fears have been confirmed - the strut mount has been damaged, and it's just not feasible to stretch the frame back out affordably. So, she's dead. =/ Had an offer from someone to buy her as a parts car for $400, might just take it because I want it off my hands and I have no way of getting home to pull out parts myself. And my dad hates it sitting there..

Porsche 944 Parts Car

I thought for awhile that I'd fix it, sell it, and move on, maybe buy an Accord to drive around for awhile, flip it and then get into another 944. I don't know why, but now that it's sunk in that it's not going to be fixed, I feel like I need another 944, like, right now. It's such a gem of a car.

[ERAU944]

i feel for you brozoar... i can't even imagine what i'd do if i had to try to replace my 944.

maybe it's because i know it'll be so tough to find such a nice early example and get it just how i like it again.

It sucks, but that's life. if your car was running well and had fuchs, you should be able to get at least 700 for the shell... i think 400 is serious lowball territory. the worst part is that 700 won't even get you into a halfway decent civic to beat around for the next few years (if necessary)

i've got the itch kinda bad for a project 944 myself. i want a car i can beat on at the track and not care if i spin into the wall 'cause i got a tad too agressive...

[p-talk]

I'm really sorry to hear that man. But, if you're gonna buy another 944, you really should keep it and use it as a parts car. $400 is not alot, and having a parts car is SO valuable. My 0.02 . . .

Originally Posted by Brozoar

Well... my cousin and his friend made their way over to my folks' house to check out the damage, and my worst fears have been confirmed - the strut mount has been damaged, and it's just not feasible to stretch the frame back out affordably. So, she's dead. =/ Had an offer from someone to buy her as a parts car for $400, might just take it because I want it off my hands and I have no way of getting home to pull out parts myself. And my dad hates it sitting there..

Porsche 944 Parts Car

I thought for awhile that I'd fix it, sell it, and move on, maybe buy an Accord to drive around for awhile, flip it and then get into another 944. I don't know why, but now that it's sunk in that it's not going to be fixed, I feel like I need another 944, like, right now. It's such a gem of a car.

[Brozoar]

You guys are absolutely 100% right. That guy is low-balling me and I know it. I don't know why saving it as a parts car for myself never even crossed my mind, but I guess it was the memory of my dad throwing out my '87 IBM, old '70s Fender jazz bass, and other garbage-picked goodies from my basement when I was a young 'un. :P

I had another possible interested party - in fact, it's t-cup's brother - but if I can't get the $650 I want for it, I really might consider trying to at least pull off good glass, interior pieces, light lenses, motor w/ clutch, transmission, good body panels, the rims and my two still-good brake calipers for the future. If any of it sits for a years I can still always sell it. But then, where do I keep a motor where my dad won't throw it out... Bury it?

[Brozoar]

Sold it for $600. Sadness...

Can't wait to have the cash for a new (hopefully better) one.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by Brozoar

Sold it for $600. Sadness...

Can't wait to have the cash for a new (hopefully better) one.

Sorry to hear you had to sell it ,but hope you'll stick around with us and get enough cash to buy another one shortly.