Porsche930

Hello folks,

Could someone from the SF Bay Area recommend a few knowledgable shops for the job? Thanks in advance.

Ron_H

Olen's Body Shop
1833 Castenada Dr.
Burlingame
650-692-6772

I don't have first hand experience with his bodywork, but he is a Porsche afficianado and a really nice guy. He and his son did me a good turn once when I was in need and far away from home.

Roy's Body Shop
13th Street
San Jose

Good metal finisher, takes his time (!), excellent work. You will see at least 20 cars in there waiting for work. You need to meet with him and you will understand how he works. Strives for originality and correctness. Old world. (good)

Michael J's Customs and Classics
Eric Curtis
1541 Almaden Road
San Jose
408-286-7637

Another great metal finisher and good painter. Does mostly rods. Will work on Porsches.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Tony if it is your intent to "save" the car you will need to use good used parts for the repair . It takes very little for the insurance company to punt and declare the car a " total loss " . Many companies if the initial estimate is 50 % of the market value will not fix the car and it is THEIR decision . The question of market value is one which you will probably be debating with the insurance "adjuster" the better prepared and more unreasonable you are , the more it will affect the outcome . Once you have an itemized estimate of the parts needed , I can get you a realistic parts estimate . You may also be able to buy back the "wreck" typically for 20-25 % of the market value before the incident (it would be branded with a SALVAGE title . CMW recently got $18,500 for his Totalled 1989 auto with over 140,000 miles .......

Porsche930

Good morning Ron and Jim,

Many thanks for your quick response!

Ron-Burlingame is probably at leaset 45 miles from my home and I need to cross the bridge with all the darn traffics; San Jose is even worse for me. However I do appreciate the info, and I will probably talk to them as I start this repair project.

I have just scheduled an appointment on next Tuesday for my insurance adjuster to perform a repair estimate on the damage. I also plan to obtain multiple estimates from other reputatable shops in my area for comparison purpose.

Although the impacts were absolutely an unpleasant experience, the damage I survey this morning seems to be limited to the front nose/air dam/rubber spoiler, all the lights and lens, hood, and probably only one of the front fenders slight pushed toward the door. It also appears no obvious damage beyond the condenser/radiator area or to the headlight mechanism from looking underneath the air dam. Of course I can't really tell or see for sure for the hood is bent and stuck closed although I have tried to release the hatch. With all these front damage, I was still able to drive it ~30 miles back home yesterday. I trusted it should not be totalled since I have no plan to part it.

Jim, I would keep your comments in mind and probably contact you if I have to obtain new parts after the itemized estimation. Thanks again folks!

Jim bailey - 928 International

Ok let me know ...approximate prices = new front cover is $995 , new hood $2,300 , lights in bumper $600 , new bumper shocks $400 , new aluminium front bumper $800 , new fender $1,500., air dam spoiler $295..... that short list is about $4,500 plus tax ....... be prepared to negotiate . Call me I have helped many people save their cars also note the body shops PREFER using more expensive parts since they are allowed to make a 20 % mark up by the insurance company (also be wary of a "referral" from the adjuster in many areas body shops PAY 10% to the adjuster for sending them business ; yes it is illegal) .....20 % of a new 2,300 hood is more than 20 % of a $500 hood . Point being you are involved in a negotiation nothing is absolute the more information you have the better the probability you can get the desired result .

Porsche930

Ron-I just spoke with Olen at Burlingame on the phone; he is no longer in this body shop business. However He is very helpful and even refers me to a 911 repair shop. I told him it may not work. He asked me to post on the board that he was no longer working on Porsche.

Jim bailey - 928 International

The aluminum is under the plastic bumper cover for both cars and new prices are similar . The market value of your 84 is such that it probably is totalled unless the damage is less than I thought ........ in any case when you have an estimate I will be able to quote you the parts .

Porsche930

Jim,
Thanks again for your clarification. I will let you know once I get the estimate for the S4 next week. Have a nice one!

Ron_H

The only other shop that comes to mind is Vlados in San Raphael. They are expensive but good. They are probably further than you wish to drive in the opposite direction. Not long ago I spoke with them and they said they were closing shop in about a year. But I have heard that from other body shops and they are still open.