Raab3485

Hey everyone. Well, I've owned my 2004 Commemorative edition for all of 2 months now, and someone crashed into it in a Denny's parking lot last night, and took off without leaving any info at all. What sickens me even more, is that they even left a greasy palm print on the top of the corner they hit, so you can tell they got out to assess the damage, and decided to just drive away. And worse yet, I bought this Corvette to replace my 2010 Tundra, that someone did the EXACT same thing to in August. So, needless to say, I'm a little upset. Now, seeing as though my Vette only has 46,000 miles on it, prior to this incident it was in nearly immaculate shape. I want to ensure that the work done is top notch, but I am not sure if most body shops are qualified to do fiberglass work, or if repairs are even possible, or if panels just need to be replaced. I'm certain the entire rear fascia will need replacement, but I'm not sure on the quarter panel. Anyhow, here are some pics. If anyone has any advice for me, or even if someone knows of a body shop in the Alamogordo, NM/El Paso, TX area that they would recommend, please let me know.

Thanks!

Velocity_Vette

Yeah that sucks big time.

I have a 1999 C5 that somebody hit last month on the passenger fender and leading edge of the door in a parking lot. haven't had half a year). Person stayed and left their info though which was good. At first I and the adjuster only accounted for fender and liner damage. However, after I managed to track down a 16 year Corvette body shop veteran, he confirmed that I'll likely need an entire door shell as well.

Obviously everyone has unique situations. You're in Texas and there are plenty of Corvette specialists in that state, so you may call one of them. For me I called my local Chevrolet dealers and found someone working at one of their body shop's who is a "Corvette Guy" (as in he's the only one that works on them when they come in).

Another thing you may consider too is it appears the damage is mostly cosmetic to the fascia. There's not a whole lot behind the fascia up top, so you may be able to locate a full fascia shell in matching color, swap the lights and such out, and if there are minor imperfections see if they detail or buff out.

JEH03Vette

Man, that sucks. Sorry that it happened. I hope that karma comes back and hits that person HARD.

66dts-v

allred

That REALLY sucks big time.....................but, a professional body shop will be able to fix that where no one will be able to tell it has been done. But I stress professional, you will need to ask around and find the best body shop in town.

As for the bastards who did it........may they rot in hell, but you will never find them now, so put it behind you and get on with the repairs. You should be covered by your insurance, right?



.

ssrallyred

What time at Denny"s ? Just a thought but that's just like Waffle House if its late night. Drunks trying to sober up( not talking about you OP) If that was the case you can bet they wanted no police report filled out. That does sux though. I had the same happen many moons ago.

QCVette

Ouch. That hurts finding your car that way.

My first thought was to see if the Denny's had a video cam so you could catch the culprits.

My second thought was Alamogordo is pretty small (I lived there a long time ago when my dad was at Holloman), so doubtful that there is a good shop there, but good luck checking out the shops.

2FAS4UU

Two things I would look into, see if there was any parking lot video and don't wash that handprint off the car. My cop buddy told me they had apprehended a most wanted guy by finger prints in a similiar situation with a hit and run (might have a criminal record)! Sorry to see this happen to you, but it's fixable!!!!

up nprth al

if there is no paint damage and you want it to stay original , you can fix that in a couple of hrs with just a heat gun , remove the cover or even leave on the car but would be easier removed , heat up the area with the heat gun but not to hot push from the back of the cover then quench with a cold rag it will go back into shape , you just have to work at it slowly doing a bit at a time and remember not to over heat the paint

up nprth al

Lee DeRaud

Not quite sure whether you meant that as a joke or not, but it does raise a question: just how flexible is the front/rear fascia material and paint?
I've seen urethane bumpers with this type of "dimple" damage that did indeed pop back out, but there were enough cracks in the finish to require a repaint, so the bumper had to come off anyway.

4XLR8N

Damn that sucks!

Very sorry, OP...

Hope you are able to get it fixed quickly and PROPERLY so that you cannot tell it ever happened.

Prime example of why (sadly) I rarely ever take my collector cars on errands, even out to eat. I just drive them for fun and to shows, cruise-ins and such and take the DD Malibu everywhere else. I would love to take my cars out a lot more, but this is what happens due to clueless and careless azzhats.



Sorry about the rant...I will stop now...

f6john

Sucks but count your blessings as it could have been a lot worse. Hope it works out well in the end.

up nprth al

this one is more extreme and has paint damage but the bumpers back in shape

Mickeyrx70

sfc rick

So sorry to see it damaged. Hopefully you can get it fixed quickly.

krm_wi_C5

Try taking the tail light out and pushing from behind.

MotoJB

There lies your problem...I don't take my Vette and park it places like the supermarket, Costco, Denny's (who goes there anyhow?), etc unless I truly have to.

If I have to, I'll park quite a ways away where there are little to no cars and walk. These places are filled with idiots o plenty and I can imagine the odds/risks will always be higher at a Denny's parking lot for God's sake.

That aside, sucks and sorry to hear...I hope the karmic debt that person pays is large.

Good luck with the repairs.

Vetteman Jack

Sorry to see that damage to your car. If you still have the handprint on the car, see what the police say about using it to track down the moron that hit you. Maybe they will, maybe they won't mess with it but worth a shot. I'd probably want the quarter panel replaced, but it may be that the rear fascia can be repaired without replacement.

hoosiervette

That sux, man. I hope they find out who did it. I like the idea of checking with police to see if they can find a match to the palm print.