1st Crash Pics...

It hurts to see her like that, but you were lucky there was no fire as a result of the impact being in that location.

However it looks fixable, and insurance should help you replace some things that might have needed replacing eventually anyway.

Hopefully the driving season will be a long one and you can get some good miles in on your "new" GT4.

 

Jim,

Best of luck with the repairs. It really does not look too bad. Missed alot of the more difficult to replace/repair items, and doesnt appear to have impacted the upper fender/fairing area at all. Thats good.

I am sure that you will have some drive time awaiting you toward summers end, or enjoying the Indiana fall colors.

John

 

Jim, That just makes me sick. I am very sorry for you. At least you can go peel that reflector off and see how its stuck on there. I am not a body guy but it lookslike you were lucky, the bumper and tail light seem intact $$$$. You will have to take the wheel off to check the suspension and frame. The wheel looks OK, dont forget that is near the gas tank filler and hose so be carefull.

 

Hey Jim,

My sympathies as well.

If I look at the pictures closely, it appears the rear wheel may be tilted. If so, that could be problematic, I'd get it REALLY REALLY closely looked at. That could be suspension, drive shaft and maybe transmission at the worst.

I dont want to make you sadder (because the $$$$ could add up), but I'm trying to be realistic. I'd hate for you to get the appearance fixed (i.e. paint and body work) but have missed "real" damage that could cost alot of not only $$$ but also time and aggrievation.

Make sure the insurance adjuster gets everything.

As I recall, there was a Denver FChatter who had his 308 hit a curb at low/medium speed, and the insurance co. (state farm) ended up totaling the car due to the unknown damage (and, I think CarReaper in AL/GA bought it without salvage title and restored it doing the labor).

You may want to search for it. I happen to remember the story because I have state farm.

James in Denver

 

Oh that is nasty.

The best source of panels I know of is Superformance in the UK. They are not expensive and they probably have all you need. See the link below.

Not sure about shipping cost to the US though

http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-308/body.htm

 

You need to be very careful with your insurance adjuster. If they work on percentages of market value, that could *easily* push the car into "total loss" classification. I know, I know... it sounds crazy, but it is entirely possible. Let's say, quite realisticly, that's a 7K-10K hit. On a GT4, the insurance companies don't care about collectability or the coolness of a Bertone wedge. The don't give a rat's rear about the spiritual bridge between a 246 and a 308GTS... they just want to run the numbers.

I'm not trying to throw cold water on the situation, because the car is 100% fixable and will be better than you've ever seen her, once all repaired. I saw a 360 spider sustain $85K worth of damage (insurance paid it), and it was simply astounding when complete. Karrosserie did the work on that one.

Nonetheless, get your ducks in a row before the insurance company gets too deep into the valuation.

 

Sorry to hear about your car. Before you know it, you will be back on the road again! Be safe.

 

Sorry to hear about your crash. Hope it all works out.

If you look closely, you'll see a TON of bondo filler underneath that paint. It's been hit before.

Maybe they can fix it without bondo this time ? You might want to inquire with the body shop.

 

Ouch! I just hope that the fact the GT4 has a tubular chassis instead of an entirely cake tin (er I mean monocoque) construction means that it's not too badly bent for repair.

 

Some states have laws that don't provide any flexibility in that regard... Alabama is one of them: If the repairs hit the magic 75% of replacement or book value, the car MUST be totalled and salvaged titled. Happened to me on a very well-cared for Honda that got rear-ended. Still drove it for a year as a spare car before I turned it in for the salvage value.

 

Doesnt look bad, im sure you will fix it better than it came out of the factory !!

 

good luck with insurance company and repairs, breaks my heart to see cars like this, hopefully will come out better than new....without so much filler! I agree with above, Superperformance in UK good source of parts, Ferrari UK pretty good too

 

Jim,
That blows, so sorry to see her like that. What the hell happened? I must have missed it in another thread. She will be better than new soon.

Birdman

 

i bought Mike P.'s (MIKE328 now ) 78 308GTS *23785* cheap after state farm totaled it.

it would be nice to have another cheap project ....

ps, he was in new Mexico at the time ....

 

EXACTLY what I was thinking seeing those pictures!

Jim, you actually have to look at the bright side of this -- your car has been hit and repaired before in this exact area. The amount of Bondo in that area indicates the repair was not done to the highest standard.

Now this area can be fixed to perfect condition. A good painter will also take the paint way out, so that any dings on the door/rear bumper will also be taken care of.

This is extremely repairable. I've seen much, much, much worse come out looking BETTER than new.

And take it from a guy who watched his friend drive his Ferrari through a shop wall and window -- it can be rebuilt -- they can make it stronger, faster, better!

It will all work out!

 

Sammy & Lenny,

When did Ferrari stop putting skim coats of filler on the bodies. I know all of the older cars had it, did they not still use it on the 308s?

Regards,

Art S.

 

Art,

Skim coat can be used on certain sections and to fill in very minor imperfections. Ferrari probably did use some up until the 308.

However, that's not at all what that is.

That's flat out "bondo". You can tell clear as day by the color. It's not even body shop grade filler which is more gray in color, it's just bondo.
And, it's on very very thick (no skim coat happening there).

Either that left rear quarter panel was hit, and/or, the entire back end was hit at one point. You need to look at the work on the other side to verify.

No offense, but the repair work was not the greatest.

Maybe you can have the whole car looked over.

 

I do feel for you!

I will say, with reqards to insurance companys.
If you keep insisting on a repair, the insurance comany will go up to full market value to repair the car.
They will give you some old chat like we will have to go and speak to the underwriters, thats fine, let them.
You must keep on saying you want it repaired, what ever the cost!!!!

Also get two or three estimates done and ask loads of questions, the engineer shoud know exactly what he is talking about. If he does not, don't use his repair shop.


Ths is how they work in the UK, it must be the same for you because lots of our insurance companys are US owned.

Good luck
Mark

 

I feel sorry for you, and I know EXACTLY what you feel like...

I've posted these some months back: the shop that had just finished maintenance on my car nearly totalled it. And there too, bondo was found. I ended up with a better car, but boy, did that incident leave me a bad aftertaste....

Good luck!!!

Hans

(some pics of the damage, the repair and to show that all is okay again now)
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UH OH!

There is a ripple on the inside of the buttress, thats not good.

Jim, you need to be VERY clear with the insurance company about that tranny leak.

I sure don't like the way that wheel is tweaked.

The bad news is cracking the case to re-seal it and the buttress work may put you over the top.

It can be fixed, no problem. The question is; can it be fixed within the limits of the insurance policy?

I'm crossing my fingers and saying a prayer for you.