My Pantera Got Wrecked

Wow, I am truly sorry to here this. I hope it turns out to your satisfaction...I'm really, really sorry. Your car was beautiful.

quote:

left quarter just behind the door, in front of the wheel.

Make sure, as best you can, that the impact did not include the wheel/tire. A strong wheel impact can transfer damaging force into the ZF. And we all know that can mean $$$$.

My advice to determine what quality of paint you need is to view your current paint indoors under fluorescent light. It is VERY revealing. Your new paint needs to match what they replaced.

Wish I knew this prior to the repaint of 2511

Larry

Remember, the fuel tank is behind that panel (if by left side you mean driver's side)...and the only way to remove it is to pull the engine...so you'd better be confident that it has not been bent and stressed enough to crack later when the insurance company has paid off on the body work and you end up footing the bill for an engine pull.
You really did that car up right when you got it. I know we're all bummed for you.
Mooso

Adams, I am very sorry to hear about this. I know how much trouble you've gone to to maintain the originality of your car. All I can recommend is what you would do anyway, get a VERY capable shop involved to evaluate the true extent of the damage. Proper paint blending should really help if they only repair that area, but even if a full repaint is required, I don't see it having a huge impact on the value of the car.

Besides, it's not like you would ever sell it anyway, right? Does it matter THAT much how much the kids get for it when they eventually have to sell?

The advice above regarding the tank, ZF and other fragile areas is very good.

Best of luck with it.

Mark

That's why this board is so valuable. In a few minutes, I've gotten three huge insights:

1. The ZF
2. The tank
3. Matching quality under fluorescents

Virtually none of the above would've made it to the ever-chintzy "assessment" by Mr. Adjuster. He will, I'm sorry to say, get an unintentional education in these cars in the coming weeks.

Please, keep the advice coming. I'm already thoroughly appreciative.

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
Make sure, as best you can, that the impact did not include the wheel/tire. A strong wheel impact can transfer damaging force into the ZF. And we all know that can mean $$$$.

Of course, if the wheel did get hit, the 10" Campys are very expensive and hard to find too, so make sure that doesn't get overlooked.

Happy Birthday Adams.

Michael

Adams,
Sorry to read about your car. Take your time and do not let AIG force you into using their body shop or some preferred shop. The car needs to be repaired where YOU want the work done. Their insured damaged the car and you control the process. Some shops do amazing jobs of color matching and blending. It is possible to avoid a total re paint unless you want this done. It may be difficult to force AIG in to a total repaint, unless it is done by some local economy shop. You will be talking lots of $$$ to have the car totally repainted to the quality you expect.
Also, you should be able to collect for diminished value. With a proper repair the car should still bring close to comparable value. However, the law in many states requires payment for diminished value. In Georgia the diminished value amount is some bizarre calculation and if you do not ask for it the insurance company is not required to pay it. I collected almost 2K for diminished value on 9K in damages to a 1 month old Acura TSX. Diminished value should be your trump card, check the law in Alabama.
Last, take lots of pics.

Good luck.
Jeff

Sounds like trip back to Massachusets? In SC we have the right to get our fixed at the shop of our choice..Need pics......

Ack!

Adams my friend, I have an absolutely sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Damn.

Writing happy birthday seems like a sarcastically bad joke right now. Ack.

Sympathy, warm thoughts and care my friend.

George

(btw, I moved your post to the ownership issues forum, it seemed more appropriate)

I know how bad this is at this time for you --- very sad. Originality is hard to ever get back. I had a bad experience with State Farm 10 years ago, and from that I would chime in to what others have said here about insurance companies and add this -- do NOT give in to the first settlement that they offer. Do what you KNOW needs to be done, and do not stray from that. Let them sweat it out time wise. Do not jump at a settlement unless you are TOTALLY satisfied with it. Also, do not put yourself in a position where you HAVE to settle with the insurance company. This is where they can get you over a barrel.

Best of luck with your car. Very sad what happened -- now you need to be patient to get done what needs to get done.

Remember, time should be on your side with this one, not the insurance company; so make it so.

Mark

Damn, too bad since your car is so unique with original paint and rare color to boot! Before I sold my orange car I was thinking of repainting the decklid due to some minor checking showing up. Top of the line shops said they could try and match it, but most likely it would not match up 100%. There must be some value to an original paint car that the insurance company would take into consideration, as this is always a good selling point when collector cars come on the market.

Adams,
Very,very sorry to hear about your car. I just got finished with a repair of the right front damage on my car that ocurred in late October last year when a little gal ran a Stop sign in front of me. We're both lucky in the fact that the other driver actually had insurance! I fully agree with all the tips you've been given to this point by everyone else who has posted regarding dealing with the other persons' insurance adjuster. I can tell you from my experience that you need to start collecting parts prices & availability from the various vendors once you determine what needs to be replaced. Like me, you'll probably have to lead the adjuster by the hand on where to go for the part(s) that are necessary for a complete & acceptable repair. It can be a slow process but just be patient and your car can look good as new in the end. Good Luck!

Major bummer, sorry. Regarding your paint, I have some great pals who own high end restoration shops, cover of car craft kind of stuff, I have learned with these guys the bad news...your paint will most likey not match.
your paint is 34? years old and faded over time, body shop can't match faded paint, what is sprayed today could fade, so to speak, differently.
Your paint is now longer made, probably Laq or single stage enamel , today's paint is base coat/ clear coat. you can still paint single stage but cannaot blend, you would have to paint a panel to door jams and pic a spot at the roof line.
Have them repaint the car...they will not win the argument.

A proffessional classic car appraisor is worth the call if you have to fight the insurance company over total repaint. if so interview his knowlage before you hire them to got the right one, dont assume he knows his stuff. should be about 200.00 for a certifed appraisal.

Good luck with everything,
Daniel

A Hudson:

The shop that your car is in must take the responsibility of the damage. In insurance terms this is called Care, Custody, Control. The shop has a garage liability policy that the claim has to be placed with.The terms mentioned above is for this kind of claim. The shop owner is fully liable for ANY damages to a clients vehicle. The second source of the claim is the owners father with AIG.

Call your own ins agent and ask questions about the subject, if your agent isn't familiar with "garage liability coverage than ask for a referral .

Now what comes in to play, do you want the car fixed or do you want a claim for market value ???

SOOOOO sorry to hear of this, very sad indeed

Wayne

Adams, I feel for you. But it's a chance to look on the bright side. The paint will survive and will be blended into a bad memory. Such things are inevitable. Now it's like spilling wine on a white tablecloth. Once it happens, it's over. The next one makes no difference. So make the best deal you can and consider yourself lucky it was so minor - low speed, in someone's shop, no one hurt and you weren't even there.

Sad to hear about your car. I know the experience, and (re) feel your pain.

Your car is in the Registry from 8/06, but
apparently the photos were not from you, sadly.

Adding fresh photos when you got the car to the Registry might have helped support the value of the condition and it's rarety.

So others may benefit from this tradegy, people, take photos of your car NOW. Don't wait until something happens, as then you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to dealing with an insurance company.

I wish you the best of luck. I think the previous suggestions are good regarding the fuel tank, wheels, and diminished value etc...
The worst is at hand, but it will improve.

Get some photos of the damage QUICK, before someone tries to make it look less bad somehow.


Chuck

A Hudson

Really sorry to hear about this little accident. I don't think posting photos will help anything. However having the work done correctly and documented is probably the most important.

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Melton:

Your car is in the Registry from 8/06, but
apparently the photos were not from you, sadly.

Adding fresh photos when you got the car to the Registry might have helped support the value of the condition and it's rarety.

So others may benefit from this tradegy, people, take photos of your car NOW. Don't wait until something happens, as then you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to dealing with an insurance company.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. I had a bunch of photos (actually done for PI magazine) of the car, so I presume I'm okay even without having them in the Registry. Would you like or care for the updated pics?

To all others, your help (and empathy) has been incredible. I feel at an advantage now, to put it mildly, and all will work out fine I feel certain. Any other input, keep it coming.

Thanks again.

Having a set of photos is good. When did your car appear
in PI? Have a copy of the issue when you deal with the insurance company.

Yes, it would be good to add your photos to the Registry.

Send all the hi-res photos you want to editor1@provamo.com
I'll add them to the entry, and make sure it is connected to your e-mail (using the account you send by.)

Having gone thru this I feel your pain.

Chuck