Squashed,...getting fixed!

[wetminkey]

Parking lot disaster,...hit front and rear.
Of course, the Spider dove under the bumpers of both of the new vehicles (Jeep and a van!). The rear damage is not a BIG concern, considering the front passenger fender damage:


Energy stopped in the outer fender directly above the axle, where it tried to fold slightly,...in the inner fender apron, above the shocktower nearly to the firewall ( in a 'tubular', horizontal deformation),...and at about the shocktower in the outer fender apron.
I believe that the damage to the hood is extensive enough that it will have to be replaced:

I've got an experienced body/frame man coming next week to assess, but I would sure appreciate any advice from Spider owners who have been through this before,...
Money pit or not, both I and my wife really like this Spider! We'll 'bite the bullet' to get it proper,...
Thanks, all. Todd.

[DieselSpider]

And the person that hit you and pushed you into the other vehicle is not paying for the damage because....

I guess I am not reading this correctly.

[azruss]

Not pretty, my friend! You won't like what the body man is going to say. rf fender could be jammed back into the door gap. the light bucket area is bad enough to require replacing, if not the entire fender. Since this is a welded body, it won't be an easy job. The back is a major problem as well since the damaged panel is double walled and nearly impossible to pull out. This is a nightmare to replace, assuming you can find a good body part. The car may also need to be stretched on a frame machine to get the nose right. Can't tell from the pix. Hope you have a fat wallet or can find the person who hit you. Parking lots are the most dangerous place you can drive.

[PhillySpider]

And the person that hit you and pushed you into the other vehicle is not paying for the damage because....

I guess I am not reading this correctly.

+2...what's the dealyo?

[wetminkey]

Ok,...
The reason no one is paying for this is because my wife's foot slipped off of the right side of the brake while in reverse and,...
Then there was the acceleration into the vehicle in front of her, when it popped into drive, that stopped the car,...
It is one of the AUTOMATICS that they marketed for women!
Wouldn't have happened if my wife had been driving a four speed,...
I recall my foot slipping momentarily at some point in the past, but recovered in a split second. It does have a tiny brake pedal, close to, and not much above , the accelerator.
I'll leave it at that. Didn't want to tell you guys,...
No matter, now. It will be fixed.
I know some great fellows that know I have to pay outta pocket. I also do all bodywork, other than frame straightening,...and THIS headlight bucket! Geeze!
We'll just have to see how close we can get the surfaces to original alignment.
BTW, the passenger door to fender gap is tight and unchanged. The outer fender 'folded' slightly just above the front axle.
All the energy went high through the inner fender apron,...lower frame rail is perfect. There is some upper, inner apron straightening needed, but the firewall is unchanged. Outer fender apron didn't take much energy and has very little change.
The front, upper crossmember needs to be pulled forward (away from the radiator) about 1/4" on the pass. side. Otherwise there is no damage to the radiator. The car runs and drives fine.
The rear panel on the '79 Spider has multiple, large holes and the outer panel is easily accessed through them, but the source of the damage there was the license plate light housings, and with them removed, I believe the panel can be pulled/pushed out to close to where it was. I can finish it out from there. I just had the tailight housings out recently, and straightened (wasted effort, huh?) the driver's edge of this panel. It is about as thick as a pop can! Should be easy to work,...
Same with the fender,...I'll see what magic my folks can manage, and I'll take over after that. MUCH thicker metal, though.
Thanks very much for your responses, and any advice!! Todd.

[DieselSpider]

I feel your pain. It was my daughter who did that but it was a utility trailer she pushed unto the new garage door that I had installed two days prior.

[wetminkey]

Sorry about that, DieselSpider,...
I'll let my wife know. She has kicked herself around the block continuously since then.
Gosh, there she goes now,...
Just kidding. What more can I do? We will move on, and I hope the Spider can do the same.
'My' frame-straightener fellow is OK to come out sometime very soon to give an opinion, and begin an estimate for me.
And to think,...I was just finishing fine bodywork on a re-work of a Bondo crunch-repair (the car came with a blistering spot,...) just behind the driver's door. It really looks nice, now! Arrg.
More after I speak with Brady.
Please let me know if any of you can provide advice, or opinion!
Thanks, Todd.

[riverdadd]

wow sorry to see the damage to your spider. I have a spare big bump hood if you want to go the used part route

good luck riverdadd

[wetminkey]

I really appreciate the offer, riverdadd! But I'm in Ault, CO, and I'd bet freight from there, to here, would make the costs prohibitive.
First thing I need to hear is what Brady is going to say about restoring this headlight bucket to anywhere near it's original shape. These guys are good, but they can't work miracles.
I do know that I can get a used hood through Bayless, and I would expect that they can ship one here cheaper (I NEED as much 'cheaper' as possible right now. This is NOT going to be easy, or cheap!).
Thank you VERY much, again. If you are anywhere near northern Colorado and things work out well, I may just take you up on that hood, and come pick it up.
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Brady should be able to assess the Spider this weekend,...I certainly hope so, since the situation has caused some domestic issues within the household.
I've put so much into the car, had it SO close to,...whatever, and now I almost feel as if I should just sell what I have as is, or part it out.
The car was not worth much before this happened to it,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Brady came by this morning to view the car. He was quite encouraging,...and I needed that!
He did not feel that the rear panel would be too much of a job, but, just as I eluded to, the passenger front is going to require some serious work. And the hood is toast,...
He's booked to February, but will look for any slow periods that may come up. That will give me time to come up with a replacement hood. He will need it to get the passenger fender edge and the fender horns properly aligned. That's my assignment,...find a hood.
So I'm putting out the word, and will post in the "Parts Wanted" section. I'm looking for someone near me (northern Colorado) with a good used/new hood. Thanks in advance for any help my Spider might get!
Todd.

[geospider]

I've got one that is all yours: although in N Calif.
needs very little work

need to find a student driving back to school in Co.

Geo

[wetminkey]

Thanks, Geo. I must be livin' the charmed life, because Tom, at Aspen Import Autos in Englewood, CO has one! That's ONLY 70 miles to the south of me!
So, good news (as good as it can get, with a squashed Spider!) all around.
Time for a ROADTRIP!
And, BTW, I wanted to give a huge THANKS! to everyone (and there are quite a few) that offered up replacement hoods! And folks that offered up their help in finding me one! I've got a lot to give thanks for, this Thanksgiving,...thank you all.
I'll keep posting here as things progress,...
Todd.

[zachmac]

I really appreciate the offer, riverdadd! But I'm in Ault, CO, and I'd bet freight from there, to here, would make the costs prohibitive.

Todd.

Hood's aren't really that expensive to ship. You wrap them up in cardboard and tape and send them under a greyhound bus or via fedex. I sent one a year or so ago for less than $75 via fedex. If you are being offered free hoods you should check out actual shipping costs. Not as much as you think (they really aren't all that big).

[wetminkey]

I must agree, zachmac. I've shipped hoods and engines in the past and was guessing about $100 - $150 to package, insure, and ship a hood,...
And I have NOT asked the folks that offered hoods about their asking price. None have been offered up using the 'F' word (FREE!), and I probably should not have, but I assumed everyone would want the 'going' price for a used hood in good condition,...about $290.
I will go back and see what kind of prices those folks want. Back to Private Messaging here,...
I wouldn't be able to hit Aspen Import's salvage yard until next week anyway.
Thank you, zachmac.
Todd.