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My Starion got crushed by a tree .... (pics)

techboy

By techboy,
in Just plain ol' B.S.

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techboy Proficient

techboy

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So, some of you out west probably don't know this, but we had this freakish October snow storm over in here on the east coast last weekend that dumped around 10" of snow on treed areas that hadn't yet lost their Autumn leaves. The result - massive numbers of downed trees and branches that left many without power for days (5 days for me). And the added bonus: The 88 Starion SHP I just purchased 2 months got crushed by a downed limb. The car was a 58K mile car, garage kept, me as the 3rd owner. I bought it as a shell, no motor or trans. I was going to take the motor out of my 88 Quest, rebuild it this winter, drop it in this one and make this new car my baby. Not any more.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/482/dsc04180d.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4637/dsc04181a.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6208/dsc04210a.jpg

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/6263/dsc04211.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1374/dsc04212a.jpg

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4027/dsc04213ta.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5127/dsc04214o.jpg

The worst part is, this car was virtually mint. Had some small cosmetic issues, but no rust and a beautiful interior. I finally felt like one of the lucky ones who had "found" a rare diamond in the rough. Problem is, now I don't know what to do. I see myself with several options:
  • Try to sell the car as is and get some money back.
  • Part it out and scrap the rest.
  • Explore having the roof cut off and another welded on (concerned about $$ to do this and the fact that the rear pillars are bent in several inches)
  • Pull all parts needed to make my Red 87 parts car a viable road vehicle again (not crazy about 87's or red)
  • Swap the better parts onto my somewhat rusty 88 Quest to "better" that vehicle
  • Sell all 3 cars and pool the money to buy a nicer, already or nearly finished Starquest

Thoughts?
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87TsiOwner Newbie

87TsiOwner

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Wow, that really sucks man. As a bodyman for a living, that IS repairable. you could probably (depending on source of tools you can get your hands on) repair the roof without replacing it.

Here's what i would do.

 

Take a porta-power and press the back support up on the roof to get it somewhat straight again.

take a suction cup and put it in the middle of the big dent and try to "pop" it out. OR

if that doesnt work, you'll just have to do regular bodywork procedures with hammers/dolleys/stud puller/etc. to get it popped out.

to get the wrinkles out of the rear bracing of the roof you'll probably have to take a 3" cut-off wheel and cut and smooth out the wrinkles then weld it back up.

 

Its a lot of work, but its savable. If you have ANY questions, shoot me a PM.

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BrazilBoy Enthusiast

BrazilBoy

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I have seen one get repaired like that ounce... They used a jack with some sort of giant curved metal bar to get the roof straightened out.... After alot of massaging you could barely tell.... Dont give up hope yet man..
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jeph_tsi Newbie

jeph_tsi

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thats really too bad... not impossible to fix though, before you consider the scrapyard try pushing the roof back up and manipulate it as close as you can to its original shape, doing this will push those side pillars out. Make sure you remove the headliner, and probably the back seat as well so you don't mess all of that up. If you put enough time into it you may be able to salvage the roof, just make sure that you reinforce any kinked support brackets, you can do this by putting a sleeve over the support that overlaps the kink by a few inches on each side and spot welding it in. The hard part will be replacing that sunroof as it looks aftermarket.
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87TsiOwner Newbie

87TsiOwner

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thats really too bad... not impossible to fix though, before you consider the scrapyard try pushing the roof back up and manipulate it as close as you can to its original shape, doing this will push those side pillars out. Make sure you remove the headliner, and probably the back seat as well so you don't mess all of that up. If you put enough time into it you may be able to salvage the roof, just make sure that you reinforce any kinked support brackets, you can do this by putting a sleeve over the support that overlaps the kink by a few inches on each side and spot welding it in. The hard part will be replacing that sunroof as it looks aftermarket.

 

you might be onto to something here about the sunroof. it does look aftermarket. so now that you say that, i'd almost bend it back into shape and re skin it so it doesn't have a hole anymore. (just what i'd do) unless you can source a replacement sunroof glass.

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ucw458 Grand Master

ucw458

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That really sucks dude. Nature can be cruel.

 

 

 

 

Ever think of trying to make it a convertible?

 

Bad idea. The roof adds alot of rigidity to the car. I knew someone who did that. The doors wouldn't even close right and the whole car drove like it was a giant leaf spring. It was weird seeing the car twist bad when going into a driveway at an angle. The car got scrapped shortly after that.

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movin on Newbie

movin on

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That really sucks dude. Nature can be cruel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad idea. The roof adds alot of rigidity to the car. I knew someone who did that. The doors wouldn't even close right and the whole car drove like it was a giant leaf spring. It was weird seeing the car twist bad when going into a driveway at an angle. The car got scrapped shortly after that.

 

Would the convertible quest be this car?

 

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/110/picture081oz9.jpg/

 

http://imageshack.us...ture085do4.jpg/

http://imageshack.us...ture090yy4.jpg/

Edited by movin on
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eck_007 Newbie

eck_007

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Wow, that really sucks man. As a bodyman for a living, that IS repairable. you could probably (depending on source of tools you can get your hands on) repair the roof without replacing it. Here's what i would do. Take a porta-power and press the back support up on the roof to get it somewhat straight again. take a suction cup and put it in the middle of the big dent and try to "pop" it out. OR if that doesnt work, you'll just have to do regular bodywork procedures with hammers/dolleys/stud puller/etc. to get it popped out. to get the wrinkles out of the rear bracing of the roof you'll probably have to take a 3" cut-off wheel and cut and smooth out the wrinkles then weld it back up. Its a lot of work, but its savable. If you have ANY questions, shoot me a PM.

i agree...it is fixable. dont strip her and send her to the j-yard

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techboy Proficient

techboy

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What coverage will insurance give you?

 

You guys are right about the insurance. I did a "title only" transfer when I bought the car, so I wasn't required to get insurance. I am currently working w/ my homeowners to try to get something out of it, but they're not being helpful so far. Kinda expected.

 

I have seen one get repaired like that ounce... They used a jack with some sort of giant curved metal bar to get the roof straightened out.... After alot of massaging you could barely tell.... Dont give up hope yet man..

 

I have a family member who owns an autobody shop, he's been in business for decades. He is coming over tomorrow to take a look and give me his advice. We'll see what he has to say about saving it.

 

also I have a hatch here i'd give to you for shipping. its just sitting collecting dust and i dont need it. its got a red spoiler on it and the "turbo" decal across the top.

 

There is a guy here locally I know has a hatch just sitting, I emailed him last night, I waiting to hear back, if not, I may take you up on that offer, thank you.

 

The hard part will be replacing that sunroof as it looks aftermarket.

 

Again, you guys are correct, the sunroof is aftermarket, which was the only part I hated about the car. I really dislike aftermarket sunroofs. But, I had a car with one before that needed parts and sunroofdocotor.com is an awesome at helping you figure what make and model sunroof you have and get you the right parts. Plus, if I decide to try and repair this car, I might be able to use this situation to eliminate the sunroof.

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techboy Proficient

techboy

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Luckily, I had removed the front seats for the winter and put them in my basement. I didn't want mice getting in and chewing them up. So, I may have avoided some interior damage by doing so.
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AndyW Newbie

AndyW

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I'm alot closer than oregon, no offence 87TSI lol I'm in Erie and you can have a hatch for free, just come pick it up. Let me double check its still back in the shed.
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Project83 Newbie

Project83

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That really sucks, i feel for you man that was a reallllllly clean looking shell/interior. I dodged the same bullet from a tree with my Starion had a giant limb come down and miss it by a couple inches literally, i felt sick and it didn't do anything but add a few more scratches.
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Indiana Newbie

Indiana

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People rebuild rotten cars with no bottom in them. That just needs a roof panel and a hatch and that wasn't an OEM sunroof anyway so now its gone. The windshield has to come out then just weld the 4 corners and you might even find one with a real sunroof or it you're parting the other car, use its roof.
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