POOR PLYWOOD - some pics; OUCH!!

[Charlie Olson]

Here are a few pics, of the damage to PLYWOOD's front end, drivers side. So far I have been given a stock 15" rim, bought a matching red painted, hub cap, found a donor car, at Hidden Valley Auto Salvage, which has a perfect front left fender and inner fender, headlight, some grill pieces and all suspension/steering components. Put nice head light covers, left front fender trim piece, small grill bars, one bumper and a front splash apron on "watch".

[Johnny S]

Ouch ....

[aero3113]

Glad you are ok ! Any pics of the truck that hit you?

[Young Ed]

Ouch is right. Kinda hard to tell but it looks like you might have some damage to the cowl. Mine had that too and the frame shop welded a hook on there and pulled most of it right back out.

[Charlie Olson]

I have no pictures of that loser girl's big, speeding white F*****g Expedition, which ran a stop sign and hit another lady's car first and then crumpled PLYWOOD. I was too busy making sure I wasn't unknowingly injured and trying to make a clear headed statement to the CHP. I do know that the CHP impounded their vehicle because they had no insurance and the idiot girl didn't even have her driver's license, with her. I am guessing their vehicle was "totaled" because both sides were smashed. I expect my insurance company will play real "hard ball" with the guilty parties. The before "crash" photo is from May 2, 2010, to show the difference and the goal to make PLYWOOD whole again. Anybody ever seen these type of 'fog lights' anywhere? I need one.

Charlie in Hot-Azona

[greg g]

The fogs looks similar to the Dietz brand I have but mine are chrome. Keep checking the ebay and swap meets. Probably easier to fine a new matched pair than a single.

[Captain Neon]

The insurance company of the other party is more likely to run the accused through the wringer than your collector car insurance company. You are probably going to be busy making depositions and testifying in court. However, both insurance companies may decide that one cannot get blood from a turnip, and after satisfying your claims let the whole matter drop. It all depends on how much of what kind of insurance the other innocent bystander has, and how much she is willing to spend to extract blood from a turnip. It is all a matter of how much they have to pay out, the likelihood of recovering their loss, and the cost of litigation. Litigation is expensive, and some one on the verge of filing for bankruptcy any way is not some one worth investing money on lawyers. It's all about why companies threatened with lawsuits usu. settle out of court because it is usu. cheaper to pay a claim than to litigate. I've been told that the going rate on a wrongful termination suit is $60K, but I'm sure it all depends on where one lives.

Edited September 22, 2010 by Captain Neon

[james49ply]

the foglamps, if you want new ones, not MOPAR, try a motorcycle aftermarket, they go on Harleys and they call them "passing lamps" fairly reasonable in price.

[BobT-47P15]

I believe Charlie stated in his original accident post that as far as

he knew, the at fault driver did NOT have insurance. If that be the

case, then she is personally liable for damage to two vehicles.

I think he also said the driver was out of work and being foreclosed on

the house. So probably no money forthcoming any time soon. Some

insurance companies will try to make arrangements with a person to

let them make payments over time. Meanwhile, his company will be

paying him.

I think it's good that he's located several replacement parts already.

The insurance company may want to total it, but will be interesting

to see how they handle it. Having some parts available may encourage

them to fix it.

[dezeldoc]

I may have access to a fog light like that, let me check and see. If that had been my car, their would have been injuries, but not mine!

[Plymouthy Adams]

we both know thqat will not just buff out..worse than I pictured it in my mind when you first told of the accident..

have you inspected the frame/suspension components..that wheel took a good whallop..the cowl should be repairable..an item I use to pull metal at home is a truckers chain load binder..you have complete control of the force at work and it truly multiplies your pulling power...I pulled a truck cowl forward from a vehicle that looks almost identical to your damage with a load binder..returned to shape without a problem and did not even have to tweak it further..door opened and closed and aligned perfect....it was the load binder that bailed out my 51 Wagon as it was the only thing that would shift the roof left and not further damage the rest of the body..tried the porta-power..just not adequate..it would move the roof but take the lwer panel with it thus messing up the tailgate..a good binder "lever action" will run about 25.00 and worth every penny you paid..do use quality length of chain..you can also slip a cheater bar over the lever handle and allow minute adjustments with almost zero effort..

[TodFitch]

That damage is a lot worse than I had imagined from your initial post. I am really glad you were not seriously injured.

Sounds like you are well on your way with rounding up the parts needed to repair. But the insurance and legal issues will probably be a huge hassle.

[49 Dodge Dude]

Oh man - I cringe when I look at those pics. If that were my classic, I'd be sick to my stomach.

[Niel Hoback]

Thats what I was thinking, if that were mine, I would physically ill. Its grea to hear tha you're ok and the car can be fixed.

Its been my experience that your insurance cmpany wll pay the claim and then sue the other party fo the damages. Plus costs.

[JIPJOBXX]

Hay Charlie so sad for you but your beloved old car will rise again. Its only metal and that can be fixed and I'm glad it was just that. Your friend Jon

[53_Suburban]

Ouch.....Sorry to hear about your misfortune. After seeing the pictures (I'm a body shop estimator) in my opinion the damage looks very repairable, the hard part I'm sure will be locating all the parts.

Here's wishing Plywood a speedy recovery. If you have a stated value policy with your insurance company I doubt if they would total it from what I can see in the photos.

[Captain Neon]

Even if they total the car, you can buy it back for salvage price. Usu. 10% of agreed value.

[dezeldoc]

OK here is the deal on the fog light, it is a guide 6" amber NOS in the box with instructions,under dash switch, cloth covered wiring, mounts and all the neat little clips and fasteners. PM me if you are interested.

[Charlie Olson]

Thanks dezeldoc, for checking on that fog light (amber). I am still waiting to hear from my insurance company (Grundy via Philadelphia companies), as to what they will do for me. The at fault driver has no auto insurance, nor does her mother who owns the wrecking vehicle; the girl driver also didn't even have her driver's license with her and just lost her job. My insurance said they will go after the driver and the owner to recover their costs in paying me, whatever that amount will be. Thanks for all of the good wishes. I am deeply grateful not to have any injuries or pain.

Charlie