1966. SL. Front crash damage

[Hollson]

I live in Naples fl

  Someone reversed into my SL  Front end is pretty badly damaged , grill, font apron , hood etc

  Anyone have any ideas where I can take it for repairs.   Needs a lot of metal work and paint

Appreciate any help

[JamesL]

I do hope they didn't drive away!

[Hollson]

Nope.  I was sitationary sitting at an intersection.  Then for no reason the lady in front just put it in reverse and hit the gas.  Straight into me.  She admitted fault to me and the sheriff.

   

[Raymond]

It's 200 miles from you but the body shop associated with Classic Corvettes and Collectibles in Tarpon Springs, is Concours level.  Otherwise, I'd talk to the M-B dealer there in Naples and have a look at their work.  In Florida, if the other party is at fault and her insurance is covering it, you can to take it anywhere you choose.  Don't let her insurance company tell you any differently.  If you want a complete re-spray, you can choose a shop that will separate the jobs and charge you only for painting the rest of the car.  The insurance company probably has a contract with a few collision repair shops where turnaround is the most important consideration.  Those shops will not touch anything except the actual damage.  They will not do a complete re-spray.  You're the injured party, if the insurance company gives you any static, call the Insurance Commissioner's office.  Be pleasant but don't be afraid to play hardball.  You'll regret not getting it done right.

[MikeSimon]

I thought you had a "no fault" system in Florida??? How does that work in a case like this?

[Kleine]

Hollson,

Very sorry to hear about the damage to your car.  It must have been hit hard based on your damage description.  I can't offer any suggestions on where to take your car
on the East Coast, but please have a competent frame repair shop look at the car and determine if your frame rails are bent.  My car ( 230 SL ) was hit in the nose and repaired by a previous owner only for me to find out several years later that both frame rails were slightly bent and the hood latch pushed into the firewall slightly affecting the hood gap.  The solution was to remove the engine/trans, strip the front end, and put the car on a Celette frame bench with the alignment gigs for a 230 SL and straighten each frame rail to the correct position.  Mercedes no longer supplies frame rails as a replacement part so unless they are cut from a donor car you pretty much have to deal with the ones in the car.   Hopefully your frame rails aren't bent and all you have to deal with is sheet metal repair.  If the frame rails are bent your steering geometry and alignment get screwed up...it is all a matter of degree and a competent frame repair shop would need to determine how to correct this.

Kleine

[Jordan]

Ouch.  I don't know who you have your insurance with but your insurance adjuster may know of some reputable body shops that can do the repairs, even if they are not in the area.  You may need to prod him or her.

[stickandrudderman]

Celette frame bench with the alignment gigs for a 230 SL

I'd be interested to know which bodyshop that was. When I enquired with Celette here in Europe they told me that the jig brackets were not available so I had them made.

[Hollson]

I’m insured through haherty.

  They gave me 2 shops locally.  Both didn’t look too good.  When I told them what the car was they both refused to work on the car

  I’ve spoken to palm beach classics.  Guy sounds very knowledgeable and I think I will take it over there

Thx for all the advice from everyone

[Hollson]

Thx for the advice.    I totally agree

[teahead]

is your hood repairable even?

I hear aluminum very hard to repair.  May need to find a good used one.  Start shopping.  Sux is the VIN won't match. 

Got any pics? 

Poor thing.  Maybe also start looking for genuine, NOS parts.  $$$, but that's not your problem.

Hope the new shops can replicate any factory-looking spot welds.

[Bonnyboy]

I saw a used hood on the seattle craigslist - it looked to be very reasonable in terms of price.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/d/mercedes-280sl-aluminun-hood-fits-230sl/6916066678.html

[MikeL43]

Hollison,
I just had a very similar experience and had a stated value policy ($50,000) through USAA.  The damage didn't look all that bad but the hood, grille, bumper and fender were unbelievably expensive since I demanded original parts.  They offered to total the car which I refused.  I had the repairs done by a high end shop near me but it took 14 months due to lack of availability of original parts.  I am extremely happy with the results except for the possible diminished value issue and the loss of use for 14 months.  The guy I hit zipped across the road out of a McDonalds in front of a city bus in his F150 and of course he had the minimum of insurance and my attorney said forget about trying to get anything from him.  i live in Safety Harbor (next to Clearwater), Fl. and am about 150 miles from you.  It may be worth your while to call me to discuss this further since I have "been there, done that".  My phone number is 727-515-0753.