'98 coupe vs. light pole worth fixing?

[RyanR0101]

Ok...extremely embarrassed to admit this, but while autocrossing I managed to meet a light pole, and the Corvette did not win the battle. I hit with the RR wheel, during a spin, so pretty much a straight blow. Maybe 15-20 mph impact, but not sure really.

Wheel is shot, quarter panel, rocker panel, and hatch are cracked, control arm is broken, spring is broken, shock is broken, and the half shaft (or at least joint) is broken. Didn't really get the chance to take a super good inventory of everything.

I'm hoping these components took the blow and not the frame. Also hoping the diff is ok. Can anyone offer any comments as to what it would run to fix it, or if it's worth fixing? Hidden things that may not be obvious? Thanks.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

In order to accurately determine that, post up some detail pictures of the area damaged.

Allthebest, c4c5

[vettex2]

are you going to fix it yourself or pay someone ?
sounds like you hit pretty dang hard

[RyanR0101]

It's a good deal of damage, so I'll probably pay someone. I need someone who knows what he's doing to tell me if the thing is okay to be on the road. It's at the tow place now. I'll see if I can get some pics sometime. I was just hoping to get some opinions to see if they matched with what the insurance guy says.

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by RyanR0101

Ok...extremely embarrassed to admit this, but while autocrossing I managed to meet a light pole, and the Corvette did not win the battle. I hit with the RR wheel, during a spin, so pretty much a straight blow. Maybe 15-20 mph impact, but not sure really.

Wheel is shot, quarter panel, rocker panel, and hatch are cracked, control arm is broken, spring is broken, shock is broken, and the half shaft (or at least joint) is broken. Didn't really get the chance to take a super good inventory of everything.

I'm hoping these components took the blow and not the frame. Also hoping the diff is ok. Can anyone offer any comments as to what it would run to fix it, or if it's worth fixing? Hidden things that may not be obvious? Thanks.

The frame is pretty stout, I had a hit like that on my 1996 LT4 (encounter with a krail) and it fixed up just fine.

:)

[vettex2]

if the frame is ok , It's fixable to the point where there will be no issues if done correctly
if the frame is bent....well....maybe not so much depending on how bad it is.

for that kind of damage , you sure sounds like you were been going faster.....

[RyanR0101]

Here's the best I could do with it on the ground. Hope this worked. I put them in as attachments.

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by RyanR0101

Here's the best I could do with it on the ground. Hope this worked. I put them in as attachments.

Bigger hit than the one I had on my 1996. It'll fix ok, but you need to do the math whether it's worth it. Ins or no?

:)

[ToolGuy]

Honestly, if the car is paid for and you are not going through insurance and as long as the frame is not bent, why not fix?

Get used parts from ebay or elsewhere and even red painted body panels. Tons of parted out red Vettes out there. None of the parts you need will be hard to find. The rocker may be hard to find but I've seen them used before. It might be hard to find because it's mostly glued on and salvage yards dont take the time to get them off in one piece. A good salvage yard will have them off cars though.

Even if the diff needs work, gathering up the used parts and possibly installing yourself might be the way to go here and take it to a shop to have the diff fixed if needed.

Of course you need a rim, but I also saw the sway bar is bent and looks like the rotor is chipped.

Does the car run now and are you getting any codes?

[vettex2]

Originally Posted by ToolGuy

Honestly, if the car is paid for and you are not going through insurance and as long as the frame is not bent, why not fix?

Get used parts from ebay or elsewhere and even red painted body panels. Tons of parted out red Vettes out there. None of the parts you need will be hard to find. The rocker may be hard to find but I've seen them used before. It might be hard to find because it's mostly glued on and salvage yards dont take the time to get them off in one piece. A good salvage yard will have them off cars though.

Even if the diff needs work, gathering up the used parts and possibly installing yourself might be the way to go here and take it to a shop to have the diff fixed if needed.

Of course you need a rim, but I also saw the sway bar is bent and looks like the rotor is chipped.

Does the car run now and are you getting any codes?

I agree
it's not that bad