Body Work - not a good day for the P15

[MattWalker]

So I was having brake trouble on my 48 P15. I posted a thread on here and got a bunch of great suggestions but for whatever reason, I still could not get the brakes right. I finally decided to take it to a mechanic who knows old cars and had AAA tow it there.... Well on the way, the chain broke on the flat bed and the p15 crashed into the wall between the cab and the bed on the tow truck. It smashed the emblem, broke the bumper guards off and bent the bumper, bent the hood in, dented the grill and might have damaged the frame...

Well the tow truck guy wants a local body shop he is familiar with to fix it who estimated the damage at 2k and I had a guy who specializes in old cars who happened to be next door to the mechanic shop and he estimated 6k. They both can't be right, right?

A new grill, a new hood, new bumper(possibly), how much would that run? I want it done right but is 6k absurd? Can an ordinary body shop fix an old car?

[Young Ed]

The 6k seems a little high but if you really wanted NEW grill bumper etc you'd probably be at that much. I would want someone familiar with old cars doing the work. New car body shops don't fix much. They just toss and replace. My buddys 05 dakota got a dent from hitting a mailbox in the fender. Totally repairable dent but it was cheaper to buy a new fender.

I only feel your pain about the crash. I crashed my p15 into an F150 in an uncontrolled intersection. If you want to see something horrible search for I crashed my plymouth.

[54Illinois]

You get what you pay for...

But 6k is waaaay far from 2k. Get a 3rd estimate.

[BobT-47P15]

After the tornado, the damage to the P15 convert initially totalled

about $5,300. That's fixing a gouge in the trunk lid, replacing 4 pieces

of stainless trim, a new top, and bodywork/paint. There could possibly

be some more cost involved before its done.

I agree with others that 2K doesn't sound like enough, and it may be closer to

the 6k figure. Did each place itemize for parts and labor? I don't recall what

your car looks like, was it up in real good shape or what condition? That may

influence the price.

Can the paint be matched? Is the entire grille damaged, or a portion of it?

Probably needs at least good used bumper guards, assuming they were in

decent condition. I would do some parts pricing on ebay and show them

what sort of prices stuff goes for......as they may have no clue.

Edited March 2, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[MattWalker]

The car looks perfect from 20 feet away. Close up the pot metal is pitted but the bumpers and grill and other chrome are in good shape. The paint job is decent but amateur.

I'll try to find some parts for these guys, last time I saw just an emblem for the hood it was a couple hundred bucks I think.

[Young Ed]

There's a quite decent one of those emblems on our local craigslist. I'll try to find it and PM you the info. I've got exta bumper guards if yours aren't useable. They look like they just broke the bolts though. The grill I'd want professionally bumped out and polished.

[desoto1939]

About ten years ago I backed into the low pole with my right rear fender the pole was sooo low that you could not see it when looking out the windows.

My first question is have you contacted your Insurance carrier that you have on the car. Do that immediately. Did you also contact the insuracne carrier that the tow truck company uses.

You need to do this before getting any work done and do not have anyone touch the car until that has been done. Both companies might want to have their representative view the car.

Do you have the car insured thru a company that specialses in antique car such as Grundy, JC Taylor, you should have these guy and not your regular car insurance carrier.

When i called my Antique Ins carrier which was grundy they said go get an estimate. It came to 1500 to repair the fender. And that was just to repaint and bang out the dent. Just straight sheet metal work.

So for a bumper, hood, bumper guards emblems and what other damage was done that can not be seen can tun of the cost.

Keep us informed as to what is happening. Get to a good body shop its your car and the tow truck company is going to try to get you to sign off at the cheapest cost.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[MattWalker]

I'm insured with Haggerty and I did call them but have not filed a claim yet. Should I? Will that make my premium go up?

I never spoke with the insurance company from the tow truck place but I'm guessing I should. I suppose if I filed with Haggerty, Haggerty would go after them anyway.

I called another classic car shop and he said 6k sounds cheap. He said its all about the hours required to reshape the metal without using bondo.

[Don Coatney]

Sounds to me like the tow truck was at fault. There insurance should cover all the damage. Dont let them short change you. Get the best job possible irrelevent of cost and that should include a complete paint job as they will not be able to match your existing paint.

[faucet47custom]

Unfortunately through dealing with insurance companies for our business, our techs like to bang up vans , I know a little of what you should do. File the claim with Haggerty, you are not at fault and it should have no impact on your fees. They will work with the liability company that the tow company uses to get it fixed on the towing companies policy. Haggerty will be a good asset in getting your repairs done properly as they deal with antique vehicles. The claim will have a bunch of time and money involved for a reputable chrome shop to hopefully fix your trim and bumper. They should pay replacement cost for the emblem and a hood in good condition. My main point is that it shouldn't affect your policy at all and should be fixed correctly, just get your insurance involved.

[greg g]

I will second the above opinion. Call your Haggerty rep. And give them all the info you can. The towing company is liable for damages while the car was in thier care, especially since the damage resulted from a failure of thier tie down equipment. Let Heagerty be your advocate vs the towing co's insurance. You should have 0 out of pocket expenses for their damage of your property.

[DCurrent]

Unfortunately through dealing with insurance companies for our business, our techs like to bang up vans , I know a little of what you should do. File the claim with Haggerty, you are not at fault and it should have no impact on your fees. They will work with the liability company that the tow company uses to get it fixed on the towing companies policy. Haggerty will be a good asset in getting your repairs done properly as they deal with antique vehicles. The claim will have a bunch of time and money involved for a reputable chrome shop to hopefully fix your trim and bumper. They should pay replacement cost for the emblem and a hood in good condition. My main point is that it shouldn't affect your policy at all and should be fixed correctly, just get your insurance involved.

I third this!!!! YOU MUST GET YOUR ANTIQUE INSURANCE CO. INVOLVED!!!! The tow insurance company most likely knows nothing about antique cars. They are just guestimating at what kind of time it will take to repair the wreck and will do it dirt cheap!! Grundy will whatch out for you and will make sure that you do not get ripped off! Call them now!

Darren

[steveplym]

I will second the above opinion. Call your Haggerty rep. And give them all the info you can. The towing company is liable for damages while the car was in thier care, especially since the damage resulted from a failure of thier tie down equipment. Let Heagerty be your advocate vs the towing co's insurance. You should have 0 out of pocket expenses for their damage of your property.

I agree with this as well. I have Hagerty too, and would call them right away and have them take care of my damages. You are their customer and will work hard to make you happy, plus they know antique vehicles and they will give you the best outcome in my opinion. You may wait weeks or months on the tow trucks insurance company to get it all figured out. Hagerty can have it all done and most likely you won't have a deductible with them, and they will just go after the other insurance for the tow truck for you.

It should not raise your insurance rates either. It was not your fault.

I work for a large auto insurance company as an adjuster and if I ever have an accident, my fault or not, I will be going through Hagerty for my damages.

[rockable]

Call Hagerty NOW! Do not do anything until a Hagerty adjuster advises you.

[MattWalker]

I called hagerty and filed a claim. If the fix estimate is accurate then the car is totaled. I guess I'll have to see. What is the price these days for a 4 door p15 in decent shape?

[DCurrent]

I called hagerty and filed a claim. If the fix estimate is accurate then the car is totaled. I guess I'll have to see. What is the price these days for a 4 door p15 in decent shape?

If the car does total out you have a few options. Keep in mind you have oportunity to buy it back after getting a settlement, or settle for the top dollar amount before it totals out. Insurance copanies are willing to work with those who aren't at fault.

Keep us posted,

Darren

[Don Coatney]

If the car does total out you have a few options. Keep in mind you have oportunity to buy it back after getting a settlement, or settle for the top dollar amount before it totals out. Insurance copanies are willing to work with those who aren't at fault.

Keep us posted,

Darren

Darren;

As you work in an automotive body shop I greatly respect your input! Were it me I would follow your directions.

[BobT-47P15]

This car might make an interesting replacement.....a V8 conversion that

looks original on the outside. In Oklahoma. On epay.

Starting at 8K with a reserve.

Link to the ad.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Plymouth-1948-PLYMOUTH-CLUB-COUPE-STREET-ROD-/330695669389?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cfeff768d#v4-42

Edited March 5, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[MattWalker]

I paid 5700 for my car, is that a good deal? I was thinking it was high at the time but maybe these car cost more than I thought?

I like that car but I would prefer something more stock looking.

[Plymouthy Adams]

if the company was a licensed business and opertion of the tow truck is in support of said business then he will need insurance and bond to operate in your city/county to my knowledge..do not accept second rate for an item outside of your control

file that claim..I hope that a police report was made even if the accident is on private property..there are those that say police have no jurisdiction..that is bs..they cannot issue a ticket but they still have an obligation to investigte should you call them..had a similar experience on private porperty and trust me..their insurance came through when I filed the police report..

in the absence of a police report..you could be against a sticky wicket..hopefully you have a witness that can verify through an affidavit..

luck to you..

[desoto1939]

I called hagerty and filed a claim. If the fix estimate is accurate then the car is totaled. I guess I'll have to see. What is the price these days for a 4 door p15 in decent shape?

MAtt:

Why do you sttate that the car is totalled. If you look at the accident the Plywood had with his car that car had much more extensive damage. From what I can see from the picture it looked more cosmetic repairs.

What did you insure the car for, is that what you are baseing your thoughts. Le the insurance companies handle this just wait to see what happens.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[BobT-47P15]

Rich.......don't know the exact extent, but he says there is some

hidden damage behind the grille area along with what we see. So

the cost is apparently more than it appears at a glance.

[DCurrent]

Darren;

As you work in an automotive body shop I greatly respect your input! Were it me I would follow your directions.

Well there are only so many topics that I can chime in on and help other out. I do what I can.

Darren

[MattWalker]

The body shop did an initial assessment at 6000 dollars to fix it. It is insured for 7k so 70% of that is 4900 which is the value Hagerty's totals out cars at. So, if the estimate is accurate then it is totaled.

Part of me hopes it is totaled so I can just go buy another one so I don't have to wait for it to be fixed. On the other hand I spent 6 months working on those damn brakes and I bought and installed a restored accurate radio for it as well which would all be down the drain.

I'm now also worried I did get a good deal and did not insure the car for enough as a result. Anyways the assesor is looking at the car tomorrow so I will let you guys know.

[DCurrent]

The body shop did an initial assessment at 6000 dollars to fix it. It is insured for 7k so 70% of that is 4900 which is the value Hagerty's totals out cars at. So, if the estimate is accurate then it is totaled.

Part of me hopes it is totaled so I can just go buy another one so I don't have to wait for it to be fixed. On the other hand I spent 6 months working on those damn brakes and I bought and installed a restored accurate radio for it as well which would all be down the drain.

I'm now also worried I did get a good deal and did not insure the car for enough as a result. Anyways the assesor is looking at the car tomorrow so I will let you guys know.

Matt,

if you would like to just go out and buy another car that is fine, but you could buy that car back after getting the settlement of $4900. Take the money and ask if you can buy the car back WITHOUT A SALVAGE TITLE! They may sell it to you for $500 or so. That would be a heck of a parts car if you wish or take the $4400 and fix the car yourself. Much of it could be done for less money by yourself fixing only what bugs you. Heck, fix the mechanicals and make a daily driver out of it, rain, snow....who cares!

Darren