casias

iTrader: (1)

I picked up another project while I was working on the ZL1 Durango. Since I had to wait so long for wiring, I decided to pull the Durango out and work on this. 2005 GTO wrecked in the right front, with no damage to subframe, steering or suspension. This car drove great around the neighborhood, but was going to be scrapped by insurance because parts for these are so expensive. $1700 for hood, $550 for headlight, $800 for bumper cover, $250 for the piece of styrofoam that goes in the bumper cover. Crazy!

So I bought a complete front clip, with right fender, inner liner and impact bar for $600. That was all of the parts I needed to put this together except for hood and front bumper cover. I figure I will post it up here. I hadn't done any major body work in the past, but it came out ok.


$12700 body shop estimate is reduced to a few hundred dollars and some of my time. Not too bad.













Sheetmetal cut away







Down to the damaged front section of the subframe






So I took this one








And welded it in







Then I sectioned out the front right corner from the top rail to the radiator support, keeping half of the inner fender and ensuring the dimensions stayed straight





Welded in temporary support under the radiator support






Nice and straight









Inner fender. One overlaps the other, but I will trim them back together, and butt weld the seam. This will sit under the fuse box, and won't be seen. I will use epoxy primer and 3m seam sealer on all of the welded seams to prevent corrosion.






Then off to the DMV for inspection and replacing title with rebuilt salvage.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

know what youre doing so enjoy your hard work when its finished.

2QWK4RU 06 GOAT

iTrader: (1)

Nice to see one saved. You gonna take it to frame shop to confirm placement before assembly?

casias

iTrader: (1)

It was checked out. No frame trouble at all. Body work is all on now, so time to look for a hood, front bumper cover and then paint.

Ironically, the front clip came off of a running, driving 2006 with 97k miles. It was purchased at auction, and the guy didn't sell it quick enough, so he cut it up.

140K_GXP

Awesome that you are saving a GTO.

Their numbers keep getting smaller.

01WS6BLACKLS1

Good job saving another GTO. It's such a shame they didn't catch on like they should have very unique car would love to have one.

casias

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. We actually have two of these now, and really like them. The toughest part about repairing this one was paying $700 for a new bumper cover (used ones were about $500-600 shipped), and I still haven't found a decent hood for a reasonable price. I may end up with a carbon creations carbon fiber replacement for about $900.

MuhThugga

Good job on saving a Midnight Blue.

Buzzmanb12

iTrader: (11)

There was a guy on LS1GTO selling a hood and some other parts this week, Torrid Red I think.

casias

iTrader: (1)

I'll check it out. Thanks

svede1212

iTrader: (3)

svede1212

iTrader: (3)

They were within a few thousand of what they were allowed to bring in. Wouldn't have mattered as Holden was ending production and GM was about to axe Pontiac

DOC-Z

iTrader: (2)

This is pretty similar to what I did with my '06 GTO:

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781761

They said the car was a total, but valued it at $17,500. After my $1,000 deductible and some percentage of $$$ for the salvage value of the car, I was able to keep mine. The insurance gave me close to $12,000 and I pretty much used up that $$$ to fix my car. HOWEVER, I purchased a vandalized car from Sacremento CA. It had a trashed interior and broken windows. Right now, I'm looking for a rear-ender so I can save another!

Good job on keeping another one on the streets!

casias

iTrader: (1)

Looks like yours took a little more work than mine. Nice score on the other GTO. doing everything in pieces like I did is time consuming.