Crashed and Damaged

[Black Sun 5.0]

I made minor mention of this the other day, now I'm forming questions. Rain slicked road, car in front of me stopped short, you can figure out the rest. I rammed into a truck hitch, probably less than 10MPH (stop and go traffic). The damage only penetrated deep enough to barely graze my Fluidyne rad (thank God), but the headlights and the entire front bumper are mashed. Oh, the hitch buckled the hood, too. Doesn't appear to be and major structural damage. Is there anything else I should be looking for in my front end to get a better idea as to what I'm in for when I get my estimate? My intent is to resto the whole car, all dents, dings, repaint.

 

[DmnStr8]

Glad its not too bad. This is why I'm glad my stang isn't my DD. If there is even a hit of rain it stays put.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

Well, this incident has officially removed the car as a daily driver. I'll be fixing this, garaging it, and picking up something with 4 wheel drive as the daily car. I also didn't bother mentioning that the driver's side fender is nudged back a tad, but this may have always been there from the previous owner. Car started right back up and drove straight.

 

[rigamaroles]

It'll be a few coins, I'd go to the closest reputable shop and get an estimate. Most good body shops I know dont have any problems doing a visual estimate at no charge.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

Yeah, that's the next thing on my agenda. A friend of mine is going to refer me to someone he knows that does good bodywork at a fair price. He had his '89 T/A re-done. Car had rot on the doors and all, dings, etc., was totally repainted black, and looks like glass. $3600. Seemed like a decent price.

 

[89Notch]

I don't understand what you are asking... take off the front bumper headlights and hood, replace the rad if you have to then put on new ones. Only you can tell if the frame is bent or not because we can not see the car. As for body work just do as much as you can yourself. No skimping either. You could probably just leave the front bumper and hood and headlights off since they would have to be removed to paint anyways.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

I guess what I should be asking is: at what point is the damage considered 'catastrophic' enough to call it quits? I mean, when it comes to front end damage, is there a point where it's generally unfixable? I know, if you have the $$$$$, you can do anything. But I'm not a bodywork guy, so I'm generally clueless here.

 

[big blue]

I just wreck my 5.0 last May and I had to have the whole front end (Excluding structural members and Pass. Fender) fixed. $3200. Needless to say they totaled my car out. I bought it back due to the damage not being that bad and the ability to fix it on my own. Good luck the Prices scared me when they first laid down the price. The total for fixing it myself will be about $1000.

 

[KlrSnk]

That sucks man.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

Which part?