Bonnie------
It really depends upon how practical that a repair would be and that depends upon just what the situation is like now. Hopefully, a member from the Reno area will be able to look at the car and assess this for you. Here are my comments:
1) I think that a repair is going to be your best bet if it's feasible. This would involve obtaining NOS repair panels, if possible, or reproduction replacement panels. The following would be good sources for reproduction body panels:
Corvette Image of Gresham, OR----excellent quality panels and excellent reputation;
Semmershiem's Fiberglass of Evansville, IN----also excellent quality and reputation
Eckler's Corvette of Titusville, FL----also excellent quality and reputation. They use the original GM molds for many panels.
For body repair and paint providers, I don't know of anyone in your area. However, in the San Francisco Bay Area which is not all that far from you, I can recommend the following:
Corvette City, Newark, CA----one of the best in the business for over 30 years. One of the few shops that I would entrust with my work
B & D Auto Body, Dublin, CA-----excellent work and has available (or, at least, used to have available) many NOS, mid year body panels (only for in-shop repair; not otherwise sold, as far as I know)
2) If a repair is not possible, then your next best bet is a complete, used front clip in good condition. These are very tough to find, though. Front end damage is the the most common thing that sends Corvettes to the salvage yard (so, the implication here helps explain why Corvette insurance can be so expensive----Corvette drivers are often "at fault" in auto accidents). Finding a REAR clip is not so hard, but that's not what you and most other folks need. Plus, with the value of mid-years being what they are, a lot of cars get rebuilt even if aftermarket parts have to be used. Most buyers can't tell the difference.
3) Your third alternative is to obtain a complete aftermarket front end. These are usually a "one-piece" design or are jig-assembled from individual pieces. They will do a VERY nice job of repairing your car. However, such installations are very detectable by NCRS or NCCB judges and significant points will be lost in judging competition. These will also affect the resale value of the car since they reduce the "investment value". However, they don't reduce the "fun value", at all. Corvettes with these front ends can look beautiful, operate perfectly, and provide "miles of smiles".
It really depends upon how practical that a repair would be and that depends upon just what the situation is like now. Hopefully, a member from the Reno area will be able to look at the car and assess this for you. Here are my comments:
1) I think that a repair is going to be your best bet if it's feasible. This would involve obtaining NOS repair panels, if possible, or reproduction replacement panels. The following would be good sources for reproduction body panels:
Corvette Image of Gresham, OR----excellent quality panels and excellent reputation;
Semmershiem's Fiberglass of Evansville, IN----also excellent quality and reputation
Eckler's Corvette of Titusville, FL----also excellent quality and reputation. They use the original GM molds for many panels.
For body repair and paint providers, I don't know of anyone in your area. However, in the San Francisco Bay Area which is not all that far from you, I can recommend the following:
Corvette City, Newark, CA----one of the best in the business for over 30 years. One of the few shops that I would entrust with my work
B & D Auto Body, Dublin, CA-----excellent work and has available (or, at least, used to have available) many NOS, mid year body panels (only for in-shop repair; not otherwise sold, as far as I know)
2) If a repair is not possible, then your next best bet is a complete, used front clip in good condition. These are very tough to find, though. Front end damage is the the most common thing that sends Corvettes to the salvage yard (so, the implication here helps explain why Corvette insurance can be so expensive----Corvette drivers are often "at fault" in auto accidents). Finding a REAR clip is not so hard, but that's not what you and most other folks need. Plus, with the value of mid-years being what they are, a lot of cars get rebuilt even if aftermarket parts have to be used. Most buyers can't tell the difference.
3) Your third alternative is to obtain a complete aftermarket front end. These are usually a "one-piece" design or are jig-assembled from individual pieces. They will do a VERY nice job of repairing your car. However, such installations are very detectable by NCRS or NCCB judges and significant points will be lost in judging competition. These will also affect the resale value of the car since they reduce the "investment value". However, they don't reduce the "fun value", at all. Corvettes with these front ends can look beautiful, operate perfectly, and provide "miles of smiles".
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