I'm sick
#79
Rennlist Member
Would a second opinion from another body shop help any? No idea how much faith you have in the team that looked at it- if they are top notch then fair enough. Visually just does not look that bad to walk away from based on your photos and the fact you have replacement parts- you must be real gutted. It really hurts to lose something you have cherished as I know only too well.
Best wishes
Fred
#80
i can't believe they would say it's a total loss! Maybe they just don't want to deal with fixing it as it isn't worth their time. Unless there is more unseen damage that would affect the rear alignment/tracking, I can't see why any experienced frame/body man couldn't pull that out to near perfection. I'd definitely want specific details why they don't think it can be fixed and then get a second opinion. With the overall condition of the car, the fact that you already have the replacement parts and the support here, it would be a real shame to part the car out. Many Sharks with much worse, i.e. The Coke Cola car, have been restored and are back on the road today. If you've decided to give up on the car, at least offer it whole to someone else to rebuild before parting it out. There are less and less 928's still being driven everyday. I personally think it's close to the time that many borderline cases are worth enough to fix rather than be lost forever. Think about it and good luck!
Joe
Joe
#81
Rennlist Member
The Shop doing the work is the same one that did the Coke Car and that damage wasn't as bad, only one front "frame" rail required pulling (and w/o using heat).
I think Eric has the shop looking at a "track car" option if structurally safe enough and tracking is w/in spec.
As far as restoring a car for "Street" usage anything can be repaired if you are willing to throw enough $ at it.
I looked at rebuilding the '88 S4 manual before I parted it out, but it would require an entire Front clip and after that and a complete re-spray (way > $10k) what is it worth and who would buy it after all that?
There are still way too many nice unbent mostly original sharks out there
I think Eric has the shop looking at a "track car" option if structurally safe enough and tracking is w/in spec.
As far as restoring a car for "Street" usage anything can be repaired if you are willing to throw enough $ at it.
I looked at rebuilding the '88 S4 manual before I parted it out, but it would require an entire Front clip and after that and a complete re-spray (way > $10k) what is it worth and who would buy it after all that?
There are still way too many nice unbent mostly original sharks out there
#84
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I drove the crap out of this car after the accident. Really thrashed her good. I did not get over 70 or so since I was on hilly and winding roads.
I can't believe that there is any structural damage impacting the crossmember and suspension.
I'd think it could be salvaged into a great track car.
5 speed and 4.7 hi compression liters! Bilsteins and the springs are stiff as hell after I cut them down.
Be a shame if it can't be done.
I can't believe that there is any structural damage impacting the crossmember and suspension.
I'd think it could be salvaged into a great track car.
5 speed and 4.7 hi compression liters! Bilsteins and the springs are stiff as hell after I cut them down.
Be a shame if it can't be done.
#85
Rennlist Member
The suspension points and rear cross member were not affected by the hit,
However the rear sheet metal (protecting the fuel tank) is layered and can not be pulled back without it ripping away from the bent floor pan. The correct way to repair the car would be to cut off the rear damaged sheet metal pull the floor straight and then weld back a clean undamaged rear section.
As a track car the metal could be pulled back (good enough), a fuel cell utilized and full role cage could be wielded in and also additional bracing if one so desired.
I have not see the car, just going on the what was covered at our GTG Wednesday night, given that the interior is not in the best of shape (I heard), a correct restoration is big $, to fix as a track car ~ 2.5k plus the "track car" bits, role cage, fuel cell, brakes tires, etc....
However the rear sheet metal (protecting the fuel tank) is layered and can not be pulled back without it ripping away from the bent floor pan. The correct way to repair the car would be to cut off the rear damaged sheet metal pull the floor straight and then weld back a clean undamaged rear section.
As a track car the metal could be pulled back (good enough), a fuel cell utilized and full role cage could be wielded in and also additional bracing if one so desired.
I have not see the car, just going on the what was covered at our GTG Wednesday night, given that the interior is not in the best of shape (I heard), a correct restoration is big $, to fix as a track car ~ 2.5k plus the "track car" bits, role cage, fuel cell, brakes tires, etc....
#86
Rennlist Member
Hi everyone,
Am going to list this for sale first as an entire car to see if anyone wants it whole. If not, then I will part out.
Asking $2900.00 for the car. I also will include the used replacement rear hatch with glass from an S4 and the replacement rear bumper bar and outer bumper cover. Right now those pieces are not installed on the car as the body shop did not go beyond trying to pull out the damaged until it started separating from the floor pan, so more work would need to be done in order to get the bumper items to fit back on the car.
As LT listed, here are the more valuable bits that the car has:
H4's
CIII wheels with minor curb rash and good tires
exhaust manifolds are the stainless tubular ones from the 86 model.
Borla exhaust - cat is gutted
All of the misc. 78 specific pieces that are getting harder to find
In the last 20k miles:
Engine refresh - Euro low end, Euro heads and US cams that runs strong
Fully functional AC-The expansion valve, drier and condenser were all replaced with new. The compressor is from a later model (needed for the bracket as the '78 bracket/compressor is not compatible with the cambelt tensioner). LT says he hasnt had to add R12 freon to the car since 2008.
Clutch replacement
Torque tube bearings replacement
Bilsteins
And the elusive stainless steel gas cap.
As for the interior, not much to salvage there, except for core pieces. Maybe the instrument cluster.
I haven't driven the car yet, but LT says it runs strong and handles well.
PM me if you have any interest.
Am going to list this for sale first as an entire car to see if anyone wants it whole. If not, then I will part out.
Asking $2900.00 for the car. I also will include the used replacement rear hatch with glass from an S4 and the replacement rear bumper bar and outer bumper cover. Right now those pieces are not installed on the car as the body shop did not go beyond trying to pull out the damaged until it started separating from the floor pan, so more work would need to be done in order to get the bumper items to fit back on the car.
As LT listed, here are the more valuable bits that the car has:
H4's
CIII wheels with minor curb rash and good tires
exhaust manifolds are the stainless tubular ones from the 86 model.
Borla exhaust - cat is gutted
All of the misc. 78 specific pieces that are getting harder to find
In the last 20k miles:
Engine refresh - Euro low end, Euro heads and US cams that runs strong
Fully functional AC-The expansion valve, drier and condenser were all replaced with new. The compressor is from a later model (needed for the bracket as the '78 bracket/compressor is not compatible with the cambelt tensioner). LT says he hasnt had to add R12 freon to the car since 2008.
Clutch replacement
Torque tube bearings replacement
Bilsteins
And the elusive stainless steel gas cap.
As for the interior, not much to salvage there, except for core pieces. Maybe the instrument cluster.
I haven't driven the car yet, but LT says it runs strong and handles well.
PM me if you have any interest.
#87
Burning Brakes
If something is structurally unsafe, it's best to move on. You never know who will get that car (or get in that car) and there are other fish in the sea. Nice effort!!
#88
I think this car will come back to Texas, to my garage (where will I put it) I have tons of time in drilling spot welds out, not fun, takes tons of time, but, in all the cars I've media blasted and then some I've had to pull apart via spot weld drilling and breaking the panels off, this one certainly looks doable! Just as I divested myself of an older MOPAR car project, and I try to slim down, the 928 infection sets in.
#90
Rennlist Member
Bump.
I still have this car available if anyone is interested. Since my last post we have installed the rear bumper and rear hatch from another car. Would still need to be painted (I didn't paint because it was going to be a track car.) a lot of the interior has been removed but still available.
All of the more valuable pieces are still on the car (bilsteins, Carerra III wheels, borla exhaust, steel gas cap, etc) She still fires right up every spring.
One of the wheels is bent and needs to be repaired.
Thanks,
Eric
I still have this car available if anyone is interested. Since my last post we have installed the rear bumper and rear hatch from another car. Would still need to be painted (I didn't paint because it was going to be a track car.) a lot of the interior has been removed but still available.
All of the more valuable pieces are still on the car (bilsteins, Carerra III wheels, borla exhaust, steel gas cap, etc) She still fires right up every spring.
One of the wheels is bent and needs to be repaired.
Thanks,
Eric