Got Hit in the Cuda this Morning

[Solarguy]

So, I get out for a cruise early this morning.  I'm stopped at the stop sign waiting to turn right onto the main road leaving my neighborhood.  An Audi turns way wide into the street I'm stopped on and hits me right in the lower quarter panel.  I saw it coming and hit the gas, pulling forward otherwise he would have hit me in the fender and door area and the damage would be a lot worse. 

After I calmed down. I talked to the very young driver who was very apologetic and realized how he didn't hit just any ordinary car and empathized with with my grief.  We got a police report, cop said he was at fault but no citation issued.  I continued on with my ride to access any mechanical damage and happily the car drives fine. 

Now the drama begins with having to contact Hagerty Monday morning, find a body shop and start that process.  Parts wise, I need an original drivers side rear wheel lip molding and a marker light assembly. 

I'm trying to stay positive, no one was hurt and I keep telling myself that that is the most important thing. I always drive defensively especially in the Cuda yet this happening in my neighborhood while I'm stopped is a reminder that crap can happen anytime, anywhere. 

[mtull]

reminder that crap can happen anytime, anywhere.

I'm glad your OK and your quick reaction time prevented more damage.  It's too bad one doesn't get reimbursed for time finding a capable shop, finding parts, etc.
It's unfortunate no citation was issued.  The points on his license and extra insurance cost for three or more years would serve as a continual reminder that physics doesn't care about excuses or poor judgment. 

[1970 cuda Joe]

WOW...Bummer. I hope you're ok. The car can be fixed.....Joe

[Katfish]

Sorry to hear the bad news.
Disappointing the cop didn't ticket him, weird.
His insurance should pay, BUT, they can push back that he wasn't at fault.

[Brads70]

I feel your pain, almost the same thing happened to mine 2 years ago. I'm just getting it back together and driving it now. Haggerty was really good with me. I hope they treat you well also. Biggest issue I had was finding a shop that wanted the job. Regular collision shops wanted nothing to do with it, too much work they said. Maybe ask Hagerty if they know and recommend anyone local to you. When I did find a shop I asked the Hagerty adjuster if they knew of them and was happy to hear that they had and that they did good work.
Try and round up all the parts you can and save that hassle from the body shop. They really appreciated me doing that for them.

[Solarguy]

Thanks for all the kind words, it really helps ease the pain.  I was surprised there was no citation issued either and hope that doesn't complicate insurance matters.  He was named the at fault driver. 

Finding a shop willing to do the work properly is going to be the hard part.  Hopefully, Hagerty can steer me to a good place, otherwise I will patiently search around.  Thinking the quarter can be saved, Not original metal but a good hammer and dolly guy should be able to get it straight, maybe even straighten the molding too. 

[NigelTufnel]

Duuude... that sucks!  Glad you're ok.  Hagerty will do ya right.  Love that color btw!  Don't see gold often. 

[Solarguy]

Thanks Nigel.  FY4  Citron Mist Metallic

[dodj]

Geeeez that sux Solarguy.
Hope Hagerty makes you whole without drama.

[Cuda_mark]

@Solarguy Where are you located? Maybe some of the people on here can recommend a shop near you.

[mccannix]

That is unfortunate...beautiful looking car.
Did you lose a rallye wheel trim ring also when hit?
In some pictures its on the rim and some its not

[jimynick]

I note you think that a good bodyman could repair that 1/4. I got my bodyman's licence in 1974 and if you ran that in my stall and said fix it, you'd be looking for my replacement. I get the mania about original tin, but that 1/4 is stretched to hell and the "wow" above and ahead of the damage is proof of that. You'd need to cut the skin off and spend days and days cutting, shrinking, stretching, patching and what would you end up with? a cut, stretched, shrunk, patched oem panel that might be able to be got back on. AND, that's figuring that your oem 1/4 was perfect before! A guy with good skills could splice it and finish the welds to make the repair nearly invisible. Your car, your call, but repairing that panel will be nearly impossible to do invisibly. Good luck whichever way you go. 

[cudamadd]

Sorry to see that .Your ok that's the main thing . I feel your pain hope it all works out 

[Solarguy]

I note you think that a good bodyman could repair that 1/4. I got my bodyman's licence in 1974 and if you ran that in my stall and said fix it, you'd be looking for my replacement. I get the mania about original tin, but that 1/4 is stretched to hell and the "wow" above and ahead of the damage is proof of that. You'd need to cut the skin off and spend days and days cutting, shrinking, stretching, patching and what would you end up with? a cut, stretched, shrunk, patched oem panel that might be able to be got back on. AND, that's figuring that your oem 1/4 was perfect before! A guy with good skills could splice it and finish the welds to make the repair nearly invisible. Your car, your call, but repairing that panel will be nearly impossible to do invisibly. Good luck whichever way you go. 

Thanks for that.  The current quarter panel is a replacement done by prior owners.  I am not married to the idea of saving it, whatever the shop I choose wants to do is the way I'll go.   

[Solarguy]

@Solarguy Where are you located? Maybe some of the people on here can recommend a shop near you.

I'm in Ft Lauderdale, FL.  I have a lead on one shop already but could always use referrals.  Thank You