'68 was rear ended, picture inside

[Fritter]

Ugh! Got a preliminary estimate of $3500 to fix. Anyone have any input/experience here? Car seemed to take the hit well.

I think I may need new muffler and heat exchangers too.

[Sacto S]

Bummer! Hope you and everyone else is ok. That's the MOST important thing.

Even without looking at any photos, $3600 seems low. Cracked/broken lenses and housings? Muffler damage? heat exchangers? body work and paint? Alignment? Take it to the best shop you can find. If you're in a small market, take it to the closest large city where you can collect several good estimates.

Post a couple photos to give us a better idea of the damage.

[Fritter]

Sorry, pic now attached...

[mike curnow]

Sorry, pic now attached...

from the picture i can't see any real damage at all? license plate panel looks a little off

[Fritter]

Yea, it's kind of hard to see, but the guy hit me at 30-40mph! I thought the whole rear of the car would be wiped out, but when I looked at it I was surprised at how good it looked.

Rear license panel is bashed in, the right rear bumperette and bumper are mangled, right rear QP is tweaked, decklid got a dent or two. Muffler and heat exhangers are in question, as the exhaust sounds different now and I think I saw a crack on one heat exchanger pipe.

The $3500 did not included exhaust components, so I think the estimate may go to $5K or so if I need a new muffler and some SSI's.

[nickd]

that seems low to me - any ripple in the wing area ? has the engine mount been "nudged" ? get it seen by someone who knows early 911's

[John Straub]

Yep...seems low to me too.

John

[Fritter]

The $3500 is a "first check", if there is any more damage they said they'd cut a check.

Yes, the QP to decklid gap on the right side is definitely larger, and there is a slight ripple on the QP at the rear part of the wheel arch, so pulling probably required. Also, the starter seems stuck, clicks but will not start car.....

[edmayo]

Mike, that really sucks!! Let me guess, the other driver was on his/her phone
Yes, check the gaps carefully, especially the rear door edge to quarter panel. You really need to find out why that starter isn't working, if there is something seriously wrong you sure need to find it out now. I assume the other guy's insurance is paying off. Do you have collector insurance on yours?

[berettafan]

Just today was talking with a gent who commented that 'these cars are soft in the front and back'. $3,500 has absolutely zero relation to what the final bill is going to be if you see qtr panels tweaked.

Starter not working? That is potentially a clue to serious damage (tub) and should be figured out NOW. Bounced my front end off a tree at less than 30 or 40 mph hitting the side of the front bumper (battery box pushed back/in if you can picture it, tore ball joint) and my car was so far off on the celette it was totalled.

Don't mean to be a bummer but you need to be VERY thorough NOW to avoid coming up short.

Price parts through Stoddard and I would suggest getting the car on an alignment rack pronto to see how far out of whack it might (or might not) be.

Also PCA will do a valuation based on your information for free if you are a member. Takes a week or two to come in the mail after filling out online but it is VERY well written (from an insurance adjusters point of view). Was worth about $6k to me and, imo, was pretty close to correct. You may need this to keep car from being totalled if repair bill gets lofty (as it should based on what you've said).

Good luck!