What do I do? Tree meets car

[wolf1971]

Hi guys:

Just got the two oak trees off of my 87 Alpine/cardinal 325is (145K and second owner, the first being my grandmother), and am trying to see if anyone has thoughts on whether this is repairable. Pretty much every panel has damage, but I'm concerned with the driver's side roof dent and the passenger side C pillar. I figure that realistically it is "totaled", but I was saving this for my 3 year old son's 16th birthday. I've got comprehensive insurance, but I know that I'm going to get lowballed, probably valued at $4-4,500 if I'm lucky. How much is this going to cost me beyond that to fix, not counting paint? Nothing else is wrong with the car, mechanically it's perfect.

I am totally open to suggestions. Apologies for the crappy ipad photos.

Thanks in advance.

[CabbE30]

I don't think a shop is going to want to work on that, at least not for any money worth spending. Sorry but I think you are SOL. My condolences.

[F34R]

Part it out and buy another e30 for your 3 year old son. I think you have time till he is 16 ;)

[wolf1971]

I asked the wrong question- can this be fixed? I'm not going to part it out.

[Robotin]

how in the hell did u do that!!

from the cars history... i would pay to fix it...

and then tell your son "i rolled this son of a bitch into a tree when you were three"

[OrangeFiero]

how in the hell did u do that!!

from the cars history... i would pay to fix it...

and then tell your son "i rolled this son of a bitch into a tree when you were three"

I dont think he rolled it... I think a tree fell on the car.

[wolf1971]

Two very large oak trees and straight line winds, but I think the "I rolled this bitch" story sounds better. If it weren't for the fact that it has been family owned since new, and pretty well maintained, I would never consider fixing it. But since I know all of the history, I just can't bring myself to part it.

Anybody got a rust free roof the want to get rid of?

[Massimo]

Fixable. Personally I would cut the roof off from the bottom of the pillars and put a new one on from a junk yard.

[Robotin]

I dont think he rolled it... I think a tree fell on the car.

i suppose that does make sense..

i am lucky enough to live in Los Angeles where wind and heavy trees are not a common mix...

i like the rolled story better,,,

[wolf1971]

just found a link to a guy in ireland that did just that. It looks like ECS actually has the panel in stock, even though Real OEM lists it as NLA. Oh this is going to be a bitch.

[e30jake]

Anything can be repaired. Just depends how well you want it done and how much you are willing to pay

[wolf1971]

Think it can be done right for $3-4,000?

[e30jake]

I really have no idea. I would start talking to friends asking around about anyone who knows anyone who does good work or could hook you up with a discount

[nokincy]

Think it can be done right for $3-4,000?

For that price you could find a nice shell and swap all of your stuff in to it. That's what I would do, save for the fact you are emotionally attached to the car. As far as fixing the car, it's possible. A friend repaired a rolled over Subaru that was in worse shape than that.

[Vivek]

Do you mean that every panel on the car is somehow damaged by that? Can you take better pics in the light? I (and I assume other's too) can't really tell how bad the whole thing is.