My wrecked 82

[ga.spyder]

It just ain't fair!! I havent had a lot of time to post lately,although I have been lurking.Business and preparing for Freakout has consumed most of my free time.We had the final meetup in Asheville on Sat. and John M, asked me to bring my car for photos.I never drive on interstates ,and Asheville is 2 hours each way.But,the car is running great so....We had a good time,and got a lot accomplished.We left and headed out I 40 .On the merge onto the road back to the mountains,I was behind a conversion van that looked like it had been in WWII.He moved to the right lane,so I went around him,except he decided that he liked the left better.Big Problem....I was in it.And he creamed my pristine 82.Working thru all the insurance B.S. ,but it will be repaired.I will take it to Freakout,scarred but running Damage is around 2000,give or take.Here are a few pix.Also.in my depressed state ,there was only one thing to do.So...I got a Harley When the goin' gets tough,The tough get a Superglide!!
Craig

[img]htp://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc132/gaspyder/geoffcollege082.jpg[/img]




AND

[mdrburchette]

A boy and his toys.... Sorry to hear about your Spider's lost fight, Craig, but I'm especially glad it wasn't worse and you and Rose are okay. Sheet metal can be repaired a lot easier than body parts.

[Nick]

That's a huge bummer! People up where I live never seem to notice my Fiat driving around either, I've probably almost been hit/run over at least 5 times this year. Just be extra careful on the motorcycle, that's an even harder target to see!

[So Cal Mark]

wow, total bummer! Glad you're okay and the damage wasn't worse. Could it be that 82s' attract old vans?

[ga.spyder]

Yes...it could have been much worse.I avoided part of the contact,but a concrete median wall kept me from being able to et away.I am sure I was in his blind spot and went unnoticed even thouh my headlights were on.Its hard to tell in the pix,but the front fender is pretty bent.The door and rear quarter arent really bad.The wheels were both gouged,but I ahve been assured they can be repainted and cleared.
I live ina rural area that is loaded with motorcycles because of our location.We are near Tail of the dragon,Cherohala skyway,Blood mountain,etc...People come from all over the U.S. to ride here.Great place to have a bike! I am always very careful on it though.
Mark,we are van magnets

[Fiat88]

That sucks, glad no one got injured. Ae those two dents under the door handle or scrapes?

[ga.spyder]

They are mainly scrapes.although there is a little dimple.Since getting estimates ,I have cleaned all the rubber and most of the paint scrapes off the side.The body shop feels that they can fix w/o using much filler,that was my main concern.Front fender will likely be replaced.Dealing with his insurance is the worst part!!

[jimincalif]

Bummer, glad you're OK and at least he has insurance!

[Nick]

They are mainly scrapes.although there is a little dimple.Since getting estimates ,I have cleaned all the rubber and most of the paint scrapes off the side.The body shop feels that they can fix w/o using much filler,that was my main concern.Front fender will likely be replaced.Dealing with his insurance is the worst part!!

I hear ya, my daily driver got hit a few months ago, the body shop was quick and very helpful. Insurance company seemed to only care about getting a good review from me it seemed. Took them over a month to sort it out.

[Foster48x]

Ahh man! that sux. At least it doesn't look too bad and no one got hurt. Hopefully you'll have it fixed up in no time.

Rick

[zachmac]

Son, I'm startin' to think if it weren't fur bad luck you'd have no luck at all! Bummer.

BUT, it could have been a lot worse and I'm glad to hear it is running well again! Maybe you should get depressed and just sell it to me real cheap!

I haven't had time to work on Mario yet but I did get a full gasket set in the mail yesterday so I think I'll tackle the inital diagnosis this weekend (although Damn is it hot!). There is still a loud ticking (but not the loud knock) coming from the upper driver's side of the motor. I didn't want to start pulling things apart unless I had gaskets, etc. to be able to put it back together.

I'll see you at the FFO. I'm encouraged by your drive there and back and leaning back toward driving up versus towing.

[Exit98]

Criag, that really stinks. Thankfuly just bad bruises, it can always be a lot worse.

I wonder you will let us follow along with the insurance travails. Anyone of us could be in the same boat tomorrow. I for one would lke to see how they perform.

Do you have collector car insurance? If so, no reason you can't tell us who you are with. They all advertise they provide great claim service will little hassle and promise to fix things good as new.

I'm with Haggarty.

Thanks,

[ga.spyder]

Yeah,I have had a bad run lately.The car ran flawlessly,but I hate driving on interstate highways in the Fiat.People just dont see you.I am towing to FFO.
I dont have a problem at all re. insurance.I have collector car insurance through State Farm,and they would have already began the repair process.However,I would have to pay my deductible.The problem is ...I dont feel I should be out anything as I did nothing wrong.So we filed against his insurance(Hartford).They have been very nice and understanding to work with,but the guy who hit me is uncooperative.He wont even return calls from his company.He didnt report the accident or file any claim.They now have sent him a notice by mail,and he has 10 days to respond or they will settle with me.If they make me go with my insurance,I will sue to get my deductible back.The officer has already informed me he will be there,if it comes to that.So...I will patiently wait to begin repairs.
Craig
ps...if the car had been totalled,SF would have paid the agreed value(10k) and gone after his insurance.Both companies have been easy to work with,so we'll see.

[kristoj]

Craig,

That is a real bummer. Makes me cringe just thinking about it. Good thing you weren't on the Harley . I tell you what, I'll buy you a (free) beer again at FFO to cheer you up!

In all seriousness, you may want to file your claim with State Farm. I was in an accident last year in my daily driver when a guy ran a red light and t-boned me. He was cited for running the red light, but decided to fight it. The best advice I got was from my friend who owns the body shop that did the repairs. He told me early on to turn it in on my State Farm policy and let them hash it out. I was reluctant as I carry a $1,000 deductible, but I am glad I did. It took State Farm over nine months to collect from his insurance company. And when they did, I got my $1,000 deductible back. It the claim did not count against me. Saved me a lot of aggravation.

[rlux4]

I hope I didn't hex you Craig. Just last week while driving around, I was just thinking how bummed I would be if my car got hit, and then this happens to you.
I'm really sorry buddy.
I wasn't really exited that the best deal I got on a Spider was a red one, but the color has grown on me, and I think maybe red is bright enough people might actually see it. (If they bother looking.)
Ron