Restoration Part 3!, All fixed. For now... Options

[enderswift]

Halloween 2009 some douche got beyond drunk and bashed into my parked celi before speeding off . I found the damage a few hours later and aside from an internal cuss-fest I kept my cool and was really relieved to see that there was no mechanical damage. Pictures say a thousand words so observe:


this picture is from when it first happened and doesn't really convey the magnitude of the damage, I seriously thought the rear suspension was boned. I'll post fresh pictures soon, they'll show my sad looking (but effective) attempt at rust proofing.


After saving every penny from my summer job while scouring the world for parts, paint, good advice, and someone to trust my celi to, I finally have everything in order


(thats $300 in paint supplies right there, the majority of which was the insanely expensive toyota 3l2. That taillight was damn near impossible to find for a reasonable price)

I just cant be happier right now. Ill finally be able to wax my celi without wondering if I'm an idiot for waxing a ruined exterior (I figured a dent isn't an excuse to neglect the whole paint job!) also, I'll finally be able to pull up somewhere or go on a date w/o cringing every time my drivers side is displayed

So now the next order of business is to take a few things apart before delivery to my body guy. The rear bumper has to be removed together with the taillight, mirror, power antenna, front head light, sideskirt, and window trim. I'm paranoid about having someone else work on my car so I insisted on being as involved as possible. In fact, If I had the time I would learn body work and fix this on my own. Too bad university has to be so time intensive while body work is a skill that comes with lots and lots of experience..Either way until I graduate I'd rather have someone fix this thing rather than count on my rustproofing to hold up.

I'll post pics of the tear down soon

This post has been edited by enderswift: Jun 2, 2011 - 8:34 PM

[mkernz22]

if you need a red radiator support, I got one fore you!

PM me if interested!

[enderswift]

if you need a red radiator support, I got one fore you!

PM me if interested!

PM sent

WOW!!!!!!!!!! that sucks so badly, I can't believe he backed up like that onto your car? right after you had it looking pretty again? well best of luck on the rebuild, I would just take it to the nearest body shop and let his insurance handle it truthfully its not like its gonna effect your record if even the officer stated its his fault

Heh i was a little worried about doing this on the side but everything turned out pretty well. We met up yesterday and he gave me a money order for a grand with another 200 coming by next thursday. So as you can imagine I've spent today flying around chicago gathering all of my parts. Observe


First thing I picked up was a hood from certifit. With a little help of my friends transport mustang we got it home


And here is my brand spanking new hood. Much better than any one I could have found in a junkyard


Car is starting to look pretty good! Keep in mind that the bumper hasn't been straightened out or anything yet, I simply disconnected it from the support to prevent the sun from baking it into a deformed shape.


also, picked up a few other things:


I'm going to return this radiator as it turned out that only my AC condenser got bent. It was close though! there was only a millimeter space before the condenser would have taken the rad with it O.O



This $28 coolant is also going to get returned.







And of course the paints. One good thing I can take away from this whole ordeal is the fact that my previously rock-chipped bumper and hood will now have a fantastic factory fresh finish


I still have to buy a headlight and the tie-bar before the car gets dropped off for work and those should come in by Monday. Till then I'm going to take the car apart and prepare everything. I'll post more pictures soon!

This post has been edited by enderswift: Aug 6, 2010 - 10:34 PM