My wife was parking the car at work this morning when an East Indian gypsy
cab driver smashed the front end of our little red Alpine. It is the red
one in the calendar that Photo Grafx did. The cab driver was trying to pass
into oncoming traffic as she was swinging over into a parking spot across
the street. The front fender is totally smashed, but surprisingly the
driver's door, bonnet, and most of the front end seem OK. The most damage I
think has happened to the suspension. It was a big American behemoth that
hit the front tire and drug her a distance. The stearing ball is sheered
off and the swingarm (I think that is the correct item) has been broken at
some welds and there appears to be more damage, dings, and dents to the
front suspension. The tire is at a most cock-eyed angle. Other than a
slight springing around the windshield, the car otherwise looks OK.
I called the only body shop that I have any trust in and they were not
interested in even looking at it. Other than just sharing my misery and an
unsubtle search for sympathy, I have a few questions.
* How to difficult is it to replace the front fender? I assume that it will
have to be cut off the
* What to do about the suspension? If the welds just popped, can they be
re-welded or do I need an entire new set depending upon other damage?
* How to find if there is frame damage other than just looking at it?
* How do I know if this is 'totaled' or if it can be brought back to safe
driveability.
-Patrick
'67 SV, Red w/ White top,
Richmond, CA
p.s.: WAAAAAA-A-A-A-H-H-H-H ! ! ! ! ! !
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