Is this ASC done for? Honest opinions please.

[negusm]

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/phpBB/album_pic.php?pic_id=615&sid=04788d3243f4f1c3523ae1b2cce2cb7a

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/phpBB/album_pic.php?pic_id=614&sid=04788d3243f4f1c3523ae1b2cce2cb7a

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/phpBB/album_pic.php?pic_id=613&sid=04788d3243f4f1c3523ae1b2cce2cb7a

This is SVT1996Cobra's asc. He says a very trusted frame guy swears its not fixable.

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=808

-Mike

[gregpro50]

Thats fixable although it will be relatively labor intensive. The whole car doesnt look twisted or anything. It should definitely be put on a frame machine. Alot of that damage may pull back out. I would be interested in buying it but not for that amount of money.

That hit was kinda in a bad area. It should be able to be pulled back so everything is staight and lines up but you will always be able to tell it was hit.

[HEMI]

I'm betting there's some damage to the firewall and floorpan areas...I don't think I'd want to try to fix it. But, then again, I'm not a frame guy.

[Aku_81]

I seen worse cars be fixed.

[gregpro50]

I'm betting there's some damage to the firewall and floorpan areas...I don't think I'd want to try to fix it. But, then again, I'm not a frame guy.

Thats what I am thinking although alot of times when it goes on a frame machine and gets pulled the wrinkles come right out.

[evlgt85]

If it were mine, I'd be fixing it. I'm sure the frame is tweaked, no doubt, but I don't think it's a goner. If you're looking at it from an insurance/financial/investment angle, yeah, it'd be considered a total loss. But, the car isn't beyond help.

[gregpro50]

I would actually love to have that car.

[Evil86lx]

Why did the frame guy say it couldnt be repaired?

Is there damage beyond what one would consider normal for that kind of hit?

Has the car been on a frame machine or did he just look at the picture's of the car to determine this.

I would get a second opi ion from anotehr shop and bring the car to them to inspect.

kyle

[slickshift]

I'd get two more frame guy's opinions before declaring it a goner

[I H8 GM]

A friend of mine bought and fixed a totaled 86 GT back in 88 or 89.

Sideswiped a telephone pole, right at the drivers side A pillar, looked a lot worse than that.

So, can it be fixed - sure (anything can be fixed for enough $$$)

Should it be done - probably (hate to see such a nice, rare car get parted)

Would I fix it if it were mine - absolutely (after I stopped crying)

Is it wise financially to fix it - No way, but that's never stopped a car guy before !!!

[gregpro50]

Is it wise financially to fix it - No way, but that's never stopped a car guy before !!!

This is one of those things where it is best to do most of the work yourself and just sent it out to have the frame straightened. You wouldnt be able to afford having a shop fix that completely. In an insurance companies eyes that thing would be completely totalled. To an enthusiast with knowledge of these cars willing to do alot of the tearing apart and putting back together work himself it is easily fixed.

I have a friend of mine that has very similar damage to an SVO he bought but it was the other side. He sent it out to have it pulled back into place and it costed him about $1500 just for that work alone. He is doing all the putting it back together work and painting it himself. It was easy to justify spending that when he paid $500 for the car and roughly $1500 to have it straightened. It is a 40k mile SVO in beautiful shape.

I think that car will be a very tough sell at $2500 with the rare parts missing and the damage it has. That car is worth $500-$800 at best considering the amount of work it needs. Honestly though, it is worth much more money if it were to be parted as much as I would not like to see it happen. This is the type of thing where the seller is going to determine the cars fate. If he is willing to sell it at a price where someone can afford to do something with it then it has a very good chance of being saved.

[85 Notchback]

Definetly fixable on a frame machine.

There might have to be a new firewall, A-pillar,and partial, or complete floor pan put in aswell.

I would have the Apillar replaced at a shop, as well as the frame pulling, but would do the floor and firewall myself.

[twister]

ok, let's look at it from another veiw, I see roughly $2000-4000 in frame/body damage, and $5000 in paint. I want one of those, but I would pass up that car if it was free, I do not like sleeping on the couch.

(please remember that I am the guy that dumped $7500 into his 86 after hitting a truck)

[Marz]

I'd say it's up to you and the amount of time and cash willing to be spent.

If I had the space, the time, and the money (money is a big issue) I would have stripped my Futura down and had the chassis tubed. But that would mean a back yard and garage... niether of which I have. To me, as much as I loved the car... it just wasn't worth it.

But, that ASC is more rare than my Futura was. Maybe, concidering other body shops opinions, it would be a good idea to find inexpencive fixer-upper Capri to swap all the ASC parts onto. I know it wouldn't be a true ASC anymore... but it'd be close.

[gregpro50]

Maybe, concidering other body shops opinions, it would be a good idea to find inexpencive fixer-upper Capri to swap all the ASC parts onto. I know it wouldn't be a true ASC anymore... but it'd be close.

I frown upon things like that very much. A friend of mine has that exact same McLaren but it is very rusty and he was planning on swapping everything over to another '85 Capri roller. He has it for sale now and I want nothing to do with something like that.

[black86capri50]

anything can be done for the right money, but 2500 seems like waaaaaaay too much for that jewel, the insurance would give him like 100 for it, i would talk it down........ no wheels, front lip, what would make it an asc??? the vin??? you would have like 15-20k in this car by the end, not worth it

[negusm]

More pics:

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/phpBB/album_personal.php?user_id=100

[negusm]

anything can be done for the right money, but 2500 seems like waaaaaaay too much for that jewel, the insurance would give him like 100 for it, i would talk it down........ no wheels, front lip, what would make it an asc??? the vin??? you would have like 15-20k in this car by the end, not worth it

There is a lot still there to be an asc. I think he pulled the front air dam and wheels off for one of his other asc cars since he thinks its not fixable.

-Mike

[Evil86lx]

anything can be done for the right money, but 2500 seems like waaaaaaay too much for that jewel, the insurance would give him like 100 for it, i would talk it down........ no wheels, front lip, what would make it an asc??? the vin??? you would have like 15-20k in this car by the end, not worth it

My insurance company agve me 3200 for my beat up 85 SVO.
All you have to do is come up with a fair value market ad present it to the insurance company.

At first they where treating it like a plane jane mustang untill i pointed out to them what it was. Then they where like "uh oh yeah, it is a special car and worth more". Duh.

Never give in to the insurance company. If it wasnt his fault he could fight the insurance company and make them fix the car.

kyle

[eric5oh]

After seeing those pics from his personal album, WOW! I'm sure it can be fixed, but correctly? I don't know about that. Unfortunately I think it needs to be parted. I'll take the seats for mine and any other misc stuff that my Mc is missing. If the wheels, fogs, and front are gone, there is not a whole lot left worth much.

[86EuroCoupe]

I looked at the car before and after the wreck. SVT1996Cobra did not wreck it, he bought it this way to restore. I think the thing is trashed and could not believe he was even thinking about fixing it. If he called a couple of people to look at it and give their opinion and they told him it wasnt fixable than they must have been real convincing because he really wanted to fix the car. I do know that someone from the McLaren club looked at it this past Saturday and gave his opinion on it. I personally dont think it is fixable and apparently neither do other people that fix cars for a living.

[86EuroCoupe]

I looked at the car before and after the wreck. SVT1996Cobra did not wreck it, he bought it this way to restore. I think the thing is trashed and could not believe he was even thinking about fixing it. If he called a couple of people to look at it and give their opinion and they told him it wasnt fixable than they must have been real convincing because he really wanted to fix the car. I do know that someone from the McLaren club looked at it this past Saturday and gave his opinion on it. I personally dont think it is fixable and apparently neither do other people that fix cars for a living.

[Evil86lx]

I fix car's for a living.

Just about anything can be fixed. I would take a donor car to supply some sheet metal and some time with a torch/welder etc.

But it CAN be fixed

Some of the SVO guy's have fixed far worse than that car.

The whole front of my Saleen has been cut off and welded at one time. Similar hit to this one and the car is just fine. Drive's fine etc.

kyle

[Evil86lx]

I fix car's for a living.

Just about anything can be fixed. I would take a donor car to supply some sheet metal and some time with a torch/welder etc.

But it CAN be fixed

Some of the SVO guy's have fixed far worse than that car.

The whole front of my Saleen has been cut off and welded at one time. Similar hit to this one and the car is just fine. Drive's fine etc.

kyle

[Evil86lx]

I suppose that I'm trying to say "can't be fixed" is simply not true.

While "not willing to fix" is probably a true statement.

kyle

[Evil86lx]

I suppose that I'm trying to say "can't be fixed" is simply not true.

While "not willing to fix" is probably a true statement.

kyle

[black86capri50]

well i believe not worth fixing is the opinion that comes to mind

and not for 2500 for the scrap that is in that pic, plus imagine the price of the replacement parts, and the money for labor, i used to cut and hack cars for a living (boss went to prison) but i am not sure it is close to worth it if you have to pay for the labor.........

[black86capri50]

well i believe not worth fixing is the opinion that comes to mind

and not for 2500 for the scrap that is in that pic, plus imagine the price of the replacement parts, and the money for labor, i used to cut and hack cars for a living (boss went to prison) but i am not sure it is close to worth it if you have to pay for the labor.........

[frankiesaysrelax]

Stick a fork in it, It's done.

That car is junk.

All it is good for is parts.

[frankiesaysrelax]

Stick a fork in it, It's done.

That car is junk.

All it is good for is parts.

[roadburner]

I've seen worse cars fixed. I had a body shop lined up and willing to straiten a 'vert body with the motor into the firewall and floors wrinkled, till i found a new shell. A friend of mine had an 89GT with similar damage to that ASC that had been fixed at one point, that whole pillar was cut out and replaced with one from another car. I even had a parts car that had at soem point been basically cut in half to be repaired.

Fixable? yes. Worth it...hard to say. Depends on how bad you want to save an ASC I guess.

One other thing, I'm not sure how much if any that pillar area changed from pre 86 to 87+ cars, but, I have looked on fordparts.com and you can buy all of that structural sheetmetal NEW, instead of cutting it from a junker. Might be worth looking into.

It ain't dead till the crusher/shredder is done with it.

EDIT: I found this quote in the other thread by the owner "The past owner took it to a body shop, they told him it was not repairable. My expert body man states "it will never be the same" it's not worth fixing, at any price. The car was hit direct in the cowel. My bodyman states that a cowel hit ,is the hardest hit to repair. I have a second person coming to look at it tonight, if he states it's not worth fixing, it will be parted out."

I have two uncles who worked in/managed body shops. When we bought the vert with cowl damage, they said the same thing. And to add to what I've said above, I think it COULD be fixed, but I have to agree, it would likely never be the 'same.'

[roadburner]

I've seen worse cars fixed. I had a body shop lined up and willing to straiten a 'vert body with the motor into the firewall and floors wrinkled, till i found a new shell. A friend of mine had an 89GT with similar damage to that ASC that had been fixed at one point, that whole pillar was cut out and replaced with one from another car. I even had a parts car that had at soem point been basically cut in half to be repaired.

Fixable? yes. Worth it...hard to say. Depends on how bad you want to save an ASC I guess.

One other thing, I'm not sure how much if any that pillar area changed from pre 86 to 87+ cars, but, I have looked on fordparts.com and you can buy all of that structural sheetmetal NEW, instead of cutting it from a junker. Might be worth looking into.

It ain't dead till the crusher/shredder is done with it.

EDIT: I found this quote in the other thread by the owner "The past owner took it to a body shop, they told him it was not repairable. My expert body man states "it will never be the same" it's not worth fixing, at any price. The car was hit direct in the cowel. My bodyman states that a cowel hit ,is the hardest hit to repair. I have a second person coming to look at it tonight, if he states it's not worth fixing, it will be parted out."

I have two uncles who worked in/managed body shops. When we bought the vert with cowl damage, they said the same thing. And to add to what I've said above, I think it COULD be fixed, but I have to agree, it would likely never be the 'same.'

[anthonydalrymple]

The way I look at it.... It's not worth fixing. You get a good firewall forward front clip, go throught the extraordinary challenge of mating the two "halves" perfectly, & you still have to transfer vin data\ restamp(illegally of course) all the other stampings (like the front frame rail stampings & such) to match(if so inclined). It would never be "origional" again, it will have a salvage title forever, & you may run into issues later on down the road. You would really, really, really just want this specific car so badly( certain rare color combo or such) that it does not matter how much it costs & you never expect to get a dime out of it..... Go for it!;)

[anthonydalrymple]

The way I look at it.... It's not worth fixing. You get a good firewall forward front clip, go throught the extraordinary challenge of mating the two "halves" perfectly, & you still have to transfer vin data\ restamp(illegally of course) all the other stampings (like the front frame rail stampings & such) to match(if so inclined). It would never be "origional" again, it will have a salvage title forever, & you may run into issues later on down the road. You would really, really, really just want this specific car so badly( certain rare color combo or such) that it does not matter how much it costs & you never expect to get a dime out of it..... Go for it!;)

[negusm]

The way I look at it.... It's not worth fixing. You get a good firewall forward front clip, go throught the extraordinary challenge of mating the two "halves" perfectly, & you still have to transfer vin data\ restamp(illegally of course) all the other stampings (like the front frame rail stampings & such) to match(if so inclined). It would never be "origional" again, it will have a salvage title forever, & you may run into issues later on down the road. You would really, really, really just want this specific car so badly( certain rare color combo or such) that it does not matter how much it costs & you never expect to get a dime out of it..... Go for it!;)

It doesn't have salvage title I don't think. I don't think the insurance company got involved so the car's title is still clear.

-Mike

[negusm]

The way I look at it.... It's not worth fixing. You get a good firewall forward front clip, go throught the extraordinary challenge of mating the two "halves" perfectly, & you still have to transfer vin data\ restamp(illegally of course) all the other stampings (like the front frame rail stampings & such) to match(if so inclined). It would never be "origional" again, it will have a salvage title forever, & you may run into issues later on down the road. You would really, really, really just want this specific car so badly( certain rare color combo or such) that it does not matter how much it costs & you never expect to get a dime out of it..... Go for it!;)

It doesn't have salvage title I don't think. I don't think the insurance company got involved so the car's title is still clear.

-Mike

[not-a-stang]

The damage is kinda bad, but the rest of the car is so cherry. If the car is akeeper and not an investment, save it.

The only other option would require using those infamous E-bay rivets... :D

[not-a-stang]

The damage is kinda bad, but the rest of the car is so cherry. If the car is akeeper and not an investment, save it.

The only other option would require using those infamous E-bay rivets... :D

[saleenjunky]

I think it can be fixed.I have witnessed some amazing things done at body shops that I have worked at.The new equipment can get measurements to within 1mm of factory specs.With this car it needs pulled so it is in spec then sheetmetal is going to need replaced.Is it cost effective?No it is not but because of the rarity of the car I think it should be saved.Cars get totaled when the repair exceeds 80% of the cars value.That doesn't mean it can't be fixed.

[gregpro50]

Give it to me. My father is a TV repairman. He has the ultimate set of tools. I can fix anything.

[eric5oh]

Give it to me. My father is a TV repairman. He has the ultimate set of tools. I can fix anything.

Awesome movie.