My baby got hurt. Don't know how they're going to fix it?

[shobiz]

Hello all! Been lurking for a while, but posting because I need some feedback. A couple days ago, I was driving on a two-lane highway about 65mph, when I hit what looked like a brake shoe from a semi or large vehicle that was in the middle of the road. I think that's what it was; it was so quick I didn't really get a good look. It was centered in the lane, and dark gray. There was a car right behind me and oncoming traffic and not enough shoulder, so I couldn't go anywhere and went over it. It made a horrendous racket, and I pulled over as soon as I could. I couldn't see any damage, but when I got home I could smell gasoline. I could still smell it in the morning, so I ran it over to a grease monkey next to my work, and got a good look underneath and man, it was damaged pretty bad. I took some pics and called my insurance company. Whatever it was I hit, it looked like a metal piece about 4" tall, 10"x10".

 

So I dropped my SHO off at the body shop, and am waiting for a call back plus a call from my insurance appraiser once they get a look at it. The bodyshop guy looked at the pics, and says it's going to be a challenge to repair. So take a gander at the pics, and I'd like to hear what you guys think.

 

Last two pics are just to show off my baby (taken at the body shop this morning--it's a 2011 tuxedo black with black and tan leather and navi). I love this car (only had it a few months, got it used); it's pristine and I really want them to get it back like it was!! :frown:

 

As an aside, in one of the pics you can see a signature etched in the metal--this is the floorboard/undercarriage. The signature is cool; I wonder why it's there?

[gpfarrell]

Well, maybe it will be okay.

 

I'm sure its easier to see the extent of the damages on a lift than in photos, but if the car is still straight (not tweaked from the impact) and all of the damage is out-of-sight, I like your odds.

 

I hate paint work because all-to-often it makes itself known as the years pass. And it's not necessarily the painter's fault... different paint applied at different times and in different ways is bound to age differently. So a "fixed" fender/hood/bumper cover gradually becomes a little different from the rest of the car.

 

Nobody is going to look at your floorboards! So, from a cosmetic standpoint I think you have no worries. Now, it still needs to check out structurally, but I like your odds.

 

Years ago I had a Mustang get hit by a manhole cover. Seriously. Picked the car up off the ground. With a bit of welding it was all okay and we didn't need an ounce of touch-up paint.

[goblues38]

I hit a semi tire carcass like that in my Volvo. The steal belts punctured the intercooler. It was time for an upgrade anyway.

 

But similar deal. heavy traffic, no place to go.

 

My brother had something like that puncture an oil pan before. Somethimes you get luckey, some times you dont.

[SHOdded]

Ugh! Hope the repairs will go well, and you will have your car back ASAP.

[mjhpadi]

First, sorry to see the damage. Please keep us updated, and although it looks nasty, at least it is underneath and should be able to be repaired without hurting the great looks of your car. Good luck with getting it repaired.

[SD13SHO]

I have never seen damage like that. You are very fortunate to not have been injured. Cars can be repaired and/or replaced. Good luck.

[steve142857]

Ouch!

Imagine if your car would have been lowered with H&R springs like many of us, it would have been very bad!

I wonder if it was left that way, if the chassis is still solid. Maybe it can't be repaired and depending on the insurance, they would have to change a portion of the under frame... If ever that is the case, but the chassis is still very solid, I would ask the insurance company to give you a cheque and I am pretty sure it would cost a few thousands $... Many things you can do with that money and if you plan on keeping your car for many years, not too much to worry about depreciation because accidented...

 

I just got an accident myself hitting a snow bank (which was actually an ice bank) at 3-4 mph and the front bumper got hurt badly. I didn't expect the total cost for repair to be so high... Almost 3K$!!! It got me hesitating if I should have taken the money and do a cosmetic job hidden with the vinyl wrap and keep 2K$ in my pockets... (between the lines that means downpipes, tuning and hood vents)... But I want the car to look perfect, so I had it done by the garage with the insurance covering the work and will end up paying the 2K$ on the side for the dp, tuning and hood vents! lol.

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

[shobiz]

Thank you all for the well wishes!

 

So I got word back from the body shop and went and looked at the car on a lift. Turns out it's going to be easier than they initially thought to fix stuff. Altogether it's around $2600 to repair it (about $800 is just for the actual gas tank!!).

 

What they're going to do is remove the sills and seats, carpet and sound barriers. Then pound out the dents/holes and weld/fill in the holes. Then repaint and undercoat inside and out. They think by the time they're done it should look pretty good. As far as we can see, their is no structural damage, so that's the best news. We don't think it should affect resale value, as the damage is pretty cosmetic outside of the fuel tank itself, which is being replaced by a new one.

 

If all goes well, I should get it back in less than two weeks, which is going to be hard to be without my SHO, but the time should go by fast.

 

I've got a 2012 Fusion SEL for a rental; it's ok, but it's no SHO, for sure! I miss the power...:hurt:

[slideoil]

Glad to hear they're going to get you put back together. I can't imagine how sick I would have felt had that happened to me.

 

I didn't see anyone else address it, but the signature is the script "Ford Motor Company" embossed in that part. Look at it upside down in a mirror.