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After 22+ years of avoiding the wall by my garage, I finally nailed it when backing up. No more 'original' paint or similar comments. I was lucky to get a cancellation apparently at the shop and they slipped me right in since the work isn't horribly time consuming. I may even get the car back tomorrow, Friday.
Since the T/A was there I decided to have them also pull the front bumper to get rid of 22+ years of micro rock chips. You could never see them from 10+ feet away but when detailing up close, yikes!!! It was an extra $600 but since the car was there, what the heck, let's make some lemonade out of my lemon situation. It helps my mind a bit for being so stupid to hit the wall. I'll post some 'after' photos when I get the car back. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Just for anyone's interest, here is the estimate. Hagerty paid within the week which was my first claim with them. No complaints except for lots of phone tag. Also a few pics of 'before' and at the shop.
I thought the repair would be way less but I'm out of touch apparently. The front bumper is being paid separately since it is not insurance related.
Ouch! Idiot at the wheel.
The bears are saying "Don't hit us next!!"
Another angle.
At the shop a few days ago.
I feel like cleaning all the dust and dirt from where the bumper was. I didn't dare ask. LOL!!
what a bummer, i feel for you. thats got to be one of the worst feelings right when it happens sitting in the car and not evan wanting to look at it cause you know its not gunna be good. years ago i watched my mother back into my bird with her silverado 1500 same spot as yours my stomach just dropped....... she gets out and says you shouldnt have parked there....... if it wasnt my own mother ida lost my ****...
That sucks. I am always afraid I am going to tag something in my garage moving the Camaro. My 5 year old isn't the best spotter lol. Hopefully it turns out great and you can forget it ever happened.
Ouch. I scratched my front passenger fender against the stupid grill in my garage. That cost me $700 several years ago. But it could have been worse, and you're also going to have a beautiful front bumper cover!
Last year I was at a cars and coffee, thought I parked in a good spot. I did a bit of walking around and by the time I returned I had a little love tap on the rear passenger side of the bumper. I still haven’t gotten over it.
It appears they do good paint work but I’d be upset they didn’t cover the whole car. there will be overspray all over that thing.
Last edited by Finkledbody; May 9, 2024 at 03:22 PM.
Last year I was at a cars and coffee, thought I parked in a good spot. I did a bit of walking around and by the time I returned I had a little love tap on the rear passenger side of the bumper. I still haven’t gotten over it.
It appears they do good paint work but I’d be upset they didn’t cover the whole car. there will be overspray all over that thing.
I think this is preliminary still before more is done. They had not even removed the front bumper yet when I took the photo. I'll let everyone know when I get it back.
I conjured up images of an "earl scheib" back in the 80s. Overspray on the tires, windshield and the side windows - they don't do repaint like that any more.
^^^ That seems crazy to me but if the insurance was OK with it, no problem. I think it matters where you live too. Union shops in cities vs rural 'nowhere' shops.
9 years ago (yeah, it's been awhile I know) I had my old 1974 Matador X painted for $5,000 which is way less than that repair on your SS. Really good work too. No complaints.
@NC01TA That sucks all around. It was lucky you could get fit in. Very interested in the results on your front bumper work and how that turns out. Thanks for sharing the estimate, would like to see the one for the front bumper as I have been thinking of getting mine done (maybe with the headlight covers) sometime in the future after I get the car back on the road.
^^^ Yes, I have it back and I am quite pleased. The repair was done very well. I had some hairline scratches on the rear bumper and they are gone now. That was an added benefit. The front bumper just makes me smile now. I should not have waited for years on end. It looks so good!. $600 is a lot of $$$ for us but I've never been so happy to spend it. Totally removing the front bumper was key I imagine to make an even color blend. He mentioned something about the clear coat too.
The damage/repair cost was exactly what Hagerty paid. No extra cost. Having a zero deductible was really nice too. I'm all set.
I've certainly learned about costs from this experience, that's for sure. Here are the 'after' photos. Excuse the lighting/ reflections as it was getting late in the day. It looks wonderful in person.
Thanks for all the posts and support. It is appreciated.
It doesn't look any different than before! And I mean that in a good way, as your paint always looked perfect before.
I wasn't ever able to see any of the rock chips on the front bumper (not visible in any of the pictures you've ever posted), so I can't really say that it's any different (but I'm glad that you can see the improvement in person). The lighting is a bit strange with the sun spots and shadows, but all that really matters is that the color match is proper in person.
I know how important this car is to you, not many folks hang on to a car for THIS long and keep it THIS nice, so I'm very happy to hear that you're pleased. You can put this behind you now, but stay away from that walll!!!
They did a great job! I really need to get my front and rear bumpers re shot. It is just a survivor car like yours, so being a detailer, I did what I could to wet sand the the small scratches out with what paint is still there. 99% of it is gone now, but I still see the 1% lol. I am glad you got her back and she looks great!
They did a great job! I really need to get my front and rear bumpers re shot. It is just a survivor car like yours, so being a detailer, I did what I could to wet sand the the small scratches out with what paint is still there. 99% of it is gone now, but I still see the 1% lol. I am glad you got her back and she looks great!
Thank you! A few days later I find myself in the garage staring at the front bumper. I'm not even thinking about the repair of the quarter panel because that is impossible to see a difference from the past, BUT THAT BUMPER!!!! Man, I just can't believe how nice it is again and takes me right back to my 'new car' days.
One other thing I rarely get asked was by the repair shop owner. He wanted to know what the car cost back in 2001. I told him mine was $33k, about $3,000 more than the coupe. He didn't elaborate but he had not seen many convertibles. Heck, I don't see them either and I look for them all the time. I'm sure there are plenty seen in the sun states like FL and CA.
Thank you! A few days later I find myself in the garage staring at the front bumper. I'm not even thinking about the repair of the quarter panel because that is impossible to see a difference from the past, BUT THAT BUMPER!!!! Man, I just can't believe how nice it is again and takes me right back to my 'new car' days.
One other thing I rarely get asked was by the repair shop owner. He wanted to know what the car cost back in 2001. I told him mine was $33k, about $3,000 more than the coupe. He didn't elaborate but he had not seen many convertibles. Heck, I don't see them either and I look for them all the time. I'm sure there are plenty seen in the sun states like FL and CA.
Im glad it turned out nice. My buddy with the 02 Saleen and I were talking car prices on ours. He said he gave 45k in 02. Mine was 26k. It is hard to believe that those were the prices.
I'm glad you are happy with the repair. Congrats to the shop that did the work. So many times you hear only the bad shops work. Maybe post the shops details so if some one needs repairs they can contact them no matter if a hot rod or a daily driver.
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I hit a wall, literally..... 
No more 'original' paint or similar comments. 
I was lucky to get a cancellation apparently at the shop and they slipped me right in since the work isn't horribly time consuming. I may even get the car back tomorrow, Friday.
