This Sucks! Ghia crash!

dr. no · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject: This Sucks! Ghia crash!

Just driving home, six blocks to go, and this guy comes right into my lane from the left. I have the split second choice of either letting him hit me, or swerve and try to stop before I get to the pedestrian crossing sign.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Well, I didn't stop in time.

But I did have time to pull back a little so I hit the sign on one side rather than in the middle.

The guy kept going (fast). My tire was torn on the stump of the sign so I couldn't give chase, but two bystanders (bydrivers?) did and came back with the guy's license plate, which the PD now has. I might just publish it here for kicks, If anyone every searches the 'net they'll find it with his history of "non-contact hit and run".

Questions:
Who's got a right fender near Fort Worth?
Anyone in the area have a favorite bodyshop? I know people that are good with paint and fiberglass, but this will need real welding skills.
_________________
Scott
http://lungehphoto.com

'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper

PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox

///Mink · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

My condolences, that sucks....

coad · Samba Scapegoat Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552

Too bad. It looks like it's all in that one fender though. Could have been much worse.

Gary · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

Wow. At least it was limited to the fender. Is the inner wing (inner fender panel) still straight? With some effort, you should be able to get the fender pounded out and just replace the sheet metal around the headlight bucket as well as the headlight bucket itself.
_________________
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

Cohibra45 · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:52 am Post subject:

Sorry, but makes me mad as hell still!!! Evil or Very Mad

Like Icy says, looks like a good body man can get it back in shape with not too much headache...

Again, hope your search to get him will turn out successful!!!

Take care and keep us informed.

Kelly (Cohibra45)

iowegian · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:08 am Post subject:

Not much help, but I might have a bumper blade.

70 140 · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:41 am Post subject:

That sucks, but it looks like you will be able to sort it out. Perhaps contact Kaats69 (or something like that) I believe he had similar damage on the driver side, is in texas, and has a shop that was fixing it for him.

candyman · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

really sucks. but all in all not too bad. repair should be pretty straight forward. lucky that pretty nose didn't get hit! Wink

ovalboy · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject:

OK, I'll say it first... "that sh*t'll buff out"

Actually, that really sucks. Looks like a good solid car though.

sszuch · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

I have a front fender that might work. It is off of a '71 though. These guys here could better say if it would fit right. The only thing is the turn signal woud have to be welded up and relocated for the bullet style. It is still on the car, it can be cut at any location.

I'm located in Waco.
email me at [email protected]

dwayne prince · Samba Member Joined: November 06, 2004 Posts: 434

there was a post a while back on here looking for a body shop there in the metro plex i think theres a shop in dallas that only does ghias(vws)

caats69kg · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

Well if it helps, I have the matching headache

...and what do you know? You are in Texas too!!

Mine should be done shortly, they're up to welding the fender on but right now we need to get all of the rust out of the headlight bucket...

Ipaintem · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

It looks like you need a right fender. It "could" be straightned but it would have a crap load of mud in it. If it were mine, I'd replace it. I would be glad to fix that for you, just ship it on over to North Carolina and I'll take good care of it for you. If by chance your wheel got hit, it may have bent you beam, torsion arm and/or the frame horn. Lets hope not. Dont let the insurance company tell you what to do!! Its your right to have the car fixed where you want it fixed, not where it gets fixed the cheapest to save the ins. company money. Good luck,

dr. no · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks,
Your's was the thread I was thinking of, but didn't do a good search last night. Garland is probably farther than I want to drive it (you gotta be able to visit loved ones while in the hospital) but I'll see what I can find.

Did you get new metal or an old peice?

sszuch, I'll keep you in mind. If I recall correctly its just the holes and not the shape of the metal. And I need to see what the payout is and how much banging v. welding will be needed.
_________________
Scott
http://lungehphoto.com

'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper

PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox

caats69kg · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

SkrapMetal · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject:

I'd rather have a bashed fender than a broken nose. Sorry, we regret to inform you that your application for the broken nose club has been denied.
_________________
oo9less since 2007
-72 Ghia-

dr. no · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

In the last nanosecond I realized I had that choice--and the little twitch of the wheel kept the nose pristine Mad

caats69kg, yours looks similar, though more damage toward the middle. Would you mind p-mailing me with your cost?
_________________
Scott
http://lungehphoto.com

'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper

PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox

brent bousman · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:36 am Post subject:

As I said on STF don't bother welding a new fender. Any decent shop can fix this - just don't give it to some hack.

If you are not in a hurry you can eventually find a real craftsman to pound it back and use very little mud in the end. I know this to be true as I have had a much worse BASH fixed correctly by a local 356 restoration shop.

If your insurance company doesn't pay much or is a hassel then PM me as I have some hints to help.

dr. no · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

With the headlight/bucket destroyed it's going to need some welding regardless. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind not welding further back and having a lot of wrinkled metal in front. I'm not arguing--I just want to understand.
And I've seen enough hacks; no hacks here.
_________________
Scott
http://lungehphoto.com

'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper

PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox

coad · Samba Scapegoat Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552

I think it can be saved, at least to the point where you're just doing the front around the headlight. I bet that side would go back into shape pretty easily. Lot of work, but so is fitting a whole new fender.


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