GTO Pics in Body Shop

[Poolshark1321]

I had posted about a month back that I was in a major wreck in my GTO and needed some advice on how to handle the situation. Everything is going good and I learned a great deal from the whole awful situation. Thanks for everyones opinions and input on the subject...

Here is the wreck thread...

http://www.gastiresoil.com/showthread.php?t=829


After arguing with the claims adjuster for a few weeks they finally decided to not put me as the only person at fault. They declared it a no fault accident for both parties because of inconclusive evidence and we both paid our deductibles.

The initial estimation was done in the field (in my driveway at my house) and they were not able to look extensively at the damage under the sheet metal. I was written a check for 6,600 for the first estimate and was told that more then likely there would be supplemental damages and the estimator would have to come to the body shop and inspect closely to determine how much the supplemental damages were going to cost. Basically they stripped the car down and couldnt order parts or began putting the car back together until the insurance company gave them the green light and verified that the car was not going to total out so they could begin work.

The wreck was on 9/11/09 and it was determined that the car would not be totaled on 10/6/09. At that point all my parts were ordered and the body shop has been working very hard to get things done now that they have the green light from State Farm. So far two additional checks were written ontop of the intital 6,600. One for 2,400 and one for 1,200... so the total cost of repairs is around 10K.

I was told that the car was fairly close to totaling and I am pretty happy that it wasnt. Even if it did total I was already looking around for a replacement 05/06 IBM M6 GTO under 40k Miles in texas. I actually had 3 on craigslist that were good deals because I thought the car was done for. This wreck wasnt going to keep me from owning one of these great cars.

I have been poking my head in at the body shop atleast once a week to check things out and see the progress. I finally took some pictures on 10/15 and 10/16 so I could have some pictures of the car while it was being fixed. I was told by Mark (the owner of the body shop and person who does the majority of the work) that these GTO's are made very solid and have an outer sheet metal layer, middle and inner. He also said this made it a bitch to rip apart...

Anyways sorry to ramble on so long... I have a tendency to type tooooo much. Here are some pictures of what half ripped apart GTO looks like...

First pics are on 10/15 and no parts have been tac welded up into place. He was still grinding and fitting but was almost ready to begin the welding.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0234.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0230.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0231.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0229.jpg


This is on the drivers side looking forward to the front of the car.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0237.jpg


This is on the top drivers side looking forward also.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0238.jpg

This is the piece of frame that will replace the damaged original piece.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0232.jpg

This is looking up from the ground and shows where the bent piece of frame was cut out. The right side is toward the rear and the left is forward to the area that they will section the new piece in.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0236.jpg

This is where the frame piece will be sectioned in.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0233.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0235.jpg

[Poolshark1321]

Here are pictures taken on 10/16 a day after the above pictures. Panels have started being tac welded into place and things are finally starting to take shape.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0239.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0240.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0241.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0242.jpg

[Poolshark1321]

Here is the body shop thats doing my repairs... technically this site is "Creative Graphics, Paint by John" But if you look on the bottom right hand corner of the home page theres a section for "Creative Customs and Collision". Basically the shop is split by two good friends, one does paint and one does body work.

http://www.paintbyjohn.com/home.html

Great guys and they really do some good work from what I have seen. I am very glad I took my car to their shop instead of letting State Farm talk me into using a body shop from their recommended list. When you use a shop that is on your insurances list they give the body shop a deadline to have the car finished by. When this is done to a body shop I feel that they will rush more and not focus on quality and getting things done right. Waiting over a month... **** almost 2 months sucks but to me its well worth knowing my car is going to be fixed correctly. All of the work to my car is being done by the two owners... Mark Conley of "Creative Customs and Collision" and John Hardin of "Creative Graphics, Paint by John".

I will get more pictures later on in the process...

[MannyLobo]

Be honest...did you shed a tear?

I almost did. :(

It's like seeing your best friend in the hospital. You know he's gonna be fine, but the anticipation is killing you.

Glad the whole situation worked out. Or..."sh!tuation", so to speak. How'd it go with the Corsa install question? Did they bite?

Gonna have anything else done while it's apart?

[Poolshark1321]

I was honestly very happy in a way to see it all apart and getting ready to come all back together. It wasnt that frightening for me because I did a bunch of machine and fabrication work so I know what can be done with metal. Still... sucks to see the car like that...

I nearly shed a tear today after leaving the body shop when I was driving behind another 06 IBM in my POS 01 civic. I have seen a handful of GTO's since my wreck... but thats the first that looks the same.

The anticipation is insane... its worse then before I even bought the car. I seriously want to go to the body shop and be like.... "can I start her up and just sit here for a sec and listen". I cant WAIT!!!!! Every time I drive past a sports car or see one on the street I instantly think of the GTO. I seriously had a dream a few nights ago that I was picking the car up from the shop and it was all clean and perfect again. It was such a good dream I thought it was totally real and then.... of course I woke up and went F***

As for the Corsa Sport... he said that would be fine. He let me have the $956 that was in the estimate for the stock exhaust and do whatever I want with it. Soooo I contemplated buying another stock exhaust off some guy in north houston with rev delete for $80. Then spending the money on other things that the car needs like a clutch, SS clutch lines and slave cylinder. I decided not to though... the Corsa Sport is something I will for sure want one day even if its not something I really need right now. It will be nice having that extra rumble when I get it back... clutch is going to be next though for sure.

I also bought a diablosport tuner that I am itching to use... and I really want to tweak with it and make a custom tune. I have been reading up on how make a custom tune correctly and it doesnt seem too difficult if you can follow directions.

[ram09]

Please tell me they are gonna put some mini-tubs in that thing while it's all torn apart, even if you don't need them right now, might as well do it while its torn apart.

[MacDogg]

Wow, that's a lot of work to be done!

[schufflerbot]

Please tell me they are gonna put some mini-tubs in that thing while it's all torn apart, even if you don't need them right now, might as well do it while its torn apart.

this is almost exaclty what i was going to post.

[Poolshark1321]

Please tell me they are gonna put some mini-tubs in that thing while it's all torn apart, even if you don't need them right now, might as well do it while its torn apart.

I have thought about it also... but can they do it without ripping out the passengers side panels??? I wouldnt mind having them thats for sure. I always figured I would do them myself later at my fathers machine and fab shop when I need them for real. I think I will mention it to them though and see what they think about it. They seem to be real down to earth and flexible so maybe they will let me do the tubs myself or something.

[BillsMafia]

Please tell me they are gonna put some mini-tubs in that thing while it's all torn apart, even if you don't need them right now, might as well do it while its torn apart.

Was thinking the same thing.

Wow, that's a lot of work to be done!

Sure is.

[Poolshark1321]

I am thinking its going to be about 2 weeks until I get the car back. I will be mentioning the mini tub idea and see what they say. At the very least I am going to get a quote to see what they would charge to do that work. I have been reading up on some other peoples mini tub projects.

[GTOwhat]

Man, just lets you know how much your car can be torn apart.. Hopefully gets done right and soon for the itch.. lol

[oc05gto]

Please tell me they are gonna put some mini-tubs in that thing while it's all torn apart, even if you don't need them right now, might as well do it while its torn apart.

i was thinking the same thing.
keep the pics comming.

[Poolshark1321]

i was thinking the same thing.
keep the pics comming.

Will do... but it looks like the minitub isnt going to happen. Ile keep you guys updated and let you know.

They were nice enough to fix my peeling door handles and do some touch ups on other scratchs for free. None of it was quoted in the insurance estimate they are just being nice cause its a huge job.

[Poolshark1321]

This is random... but I had a dream last night that It was my birthday and someone gave me a Fast 90mm Intake Manifold. I have goat fever and it getting worse daily...

[ram09]

So why no mini tubs?

[Poolshark1321]

Its confirmed I will have my car in 2 wks from 10/19/09 (last monday)... So theoretically I will have her back Nov 2nd or so.

As for the whole mini tub thing...

At this point I dont really desire to have the rear end min tubbed. Dont get me wrong I would love to have some 315's out back but its not going to happen right now. I honestly just want the car back and I can do the mini tub job for basically free by myself at my fathers shop later. That and I dont have the spare cash to be throwing into the car even if it is a good time to do so because its all torn apart. Soon to be college student and for now I am just paying the bills and trying to save what I can.

One day it will be done but for now I am plenty happy with it the way it is. I would also like to have a pedders package before going for mini tub on the rear end. Or at the very least some essential suspension parts like strut mounts, rear springs, RR bushings for front and back and an energy suspension master bushing set.

[MannyLobo]

Glad you got a definitive date, now. Before you know it, you'll have your fix. Heh.

Let me know. Maybe we'll meet up at a pool hall, and talk Goat.

[Poolshark1321]

Glad you got a definitive date, now. Before you know it, you'll have your fix. Heh.

Let me know. Maybe we'll meet up at a pool hall, and talk Goat.

Sounds good... I actually am going to shoot at Legends in the pool league right now.

[Poolshark1321]

I plan on going to the body shop sometime early this coming week and get some more pictures of the progress.

[Poolshark1321]

I went to the body shop Thursday afternoon to take some pictures before prep for paint is started. They still need to sand and prime the door jams and a few other spots but most of it is complete and ready for paint. Going in Monday to get some pictures of it in the paint booth. Should have her back completely clean and detailed inside and out on around wed. Wednesday the 11th is actually exactly 2 months since the wreck....

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0244.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0245.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0246.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0251.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0252.jpg


Couple trunk pictures, he still has to seal up gaps/seam with cocking of some sort.


http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0250.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0248.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0249.jpg


This is looking from the ground up at where the piece of frame was sectioned in on the drivers side rear corner.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20at%20Body%20Shop/100_0247.jpg

[U2SLOW4ME]

WOW. That was a lot of work.

[Lancer-AM]

Bravo to them, I didn't think it would ever resemble a GTO again.

[Poolshark1321]

I think they did a really good job and everything looks to be aligned correctly. I even closed the drivers side door and it still made that nice crisp thud sound.

[tmiller]

this is almost exaclty what i was going to post.

this is almost exaclty what I was going to post.

[TDGreeno]

good lord that would be a lot of work! Glad to see her almost fixed. Seeing your pics makes me glad mines just a flesh wound.

[Poolshark1321]

Yeah its good to know I will have her back very soon!

A buddy of mine let me drive his GTO today and man did it feel good after 2 months to be back in that seat.

It was just a taste....

[ameaglemike]

Yeah when mine was in the shop (for 6 frigging weeks on something that shouldn't have taken more than 3 GD weeks), Hayden (sprocketeer) let me drive his GTO. It's nice to have friends that will do that for you (plus his is an M6, mine's an A4. M6 much more fun to drive lol)

[schufflerbot]

this is almost exaclty what I was going to post.

damn you.

[Poolshark1321]

I get the car today for certain...

I went to the shop wed without the camera and it was all already painted and they were putting, rear bumper cover, interior and other misc stuff on the car. They wanted to make sure they had time to clean it up real nice otherwise I probably could have got it today.

Ile post up some pics soon!

[Poolshark1321]

I got the car back and I must say I am very impressed with how well it came out. The rear bumper has never lined up so nicely. Couple small things that I have to go back for them to finish. They lost the switch for the trunk light... because of this the dome lights, glovebox light and armrest light doesnt work. I believe they pulled the fuse for the lights until the switch comes in the mail.

Is there something I can use on the car that will take away those small spider scratches in the clear coat of the older paint? My friend said they make something specifically for it but I dont know what he called it.

[Robofuzz]

<--- Sponsor Tropi-Care has stuff that will take out the fine scratches as well as buffers.

[Lancer-AM]

I have tried a few things on the spider cracks but nothing seems to work. The few body shops I talked to said a sanding and painting is all that will fix it.

[Kingsize]

Good to here Poolshark!

:worthless:

LOL, had to do it buddy!

[ameaglemike]

Is there something I can use on the car that will take away those small spider scratches in the clear coat of the older paint? My friend said they make something specifically for it but I dont know what he called it.


First off, congrats on getting the car back. It's a great feeling. I know. LOL. Secondly, Meguiar's new NXT Tech Wax is designed to remove the scratches, swirls, and cracks in clear coats. You may give that a try. We carry it at NAPA, so you should be able to find it at any auto parts store.

[Poolshark1321]

Thanks everyone!

I will check out the Tropicare products and look into that NXT tech wax.

I am working on getting some pictures...

The damn muffler on the left side isnt even on so it sounds like ****.... owell I am still enjoying having the car back. I need to take the stock exhaust to my dads fab shop and un bend it enough to put the muffler on for a month or so until I can grab another exhaust. It is crimped pretty hard right behind the flange that connects to the muffler flange.

[Poolshark1321]

Here is what she looks like now all fixed and in one piece!

I took these a day before I put on my new GasTiresOil.com decals....
Going to get some really good pictures to put in the monthly GTO contest soon and they will have the decals in them! I really love the way they look and they were easy to put on. Thanks for the extra decal for the back window Robofuzz, I wasnt expecting to get 3.




http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0253.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0254.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0255.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0256.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0257.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0258.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0259.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0260.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0261.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0262.jpg

[Poolshark1321]

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0263.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0265.jpg

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr187/JRA1321/GTO%20Fixed/100_0264.jpg