1971 LS5 Convertible

[Tom Northcott]

Long story short, I took my car to a regional automotive shop to get aligned and the tech took it for a joy ride and wrecked it. This was a restored numbers matching car and now I am in need of a body shop that can repair it back to original standards. I live in the Wentzville/Lake St. Louis Missouri area, which is located about 30 miles west of St. Louis. Also, if someone could tell me roughly how much value the car has lost since it will now have major body work done to it (the rear clip needs replacing) Thanks for any help.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1971 LS5 Convertible

One thing to wreck your own car, but for someone else under this circumstance it tough to live with. Hope that you can find the best bodyshop in the USA and have the car shipped and repaired at the alignment shops expense. In replacing the rear clip I wonder if a donor cars rear complete rear clip from the doors back would be best or replacing/building the rear clip from new parts? If you are looking for a original value loss in now having a repaired Corvette to access the alighment shop for lost Corvette value, a real apprasial should come from an certified appraiser. Lots of repaired Corvettes have been judged that have been professionaly repaired. Saw a show where body shops use laser lights to get a perfect frame alignment. This forum is a good place to search for the best shops.

[Tom Northcott]

Re: 1971 LS5 Convertible

You are not kidding. After 10 years of work, it comes down to an 18 year old kid wrecking it. Thanks for the advice, I just got off the phone with Mid America (those guys are great by the way) and they had some good advice as well. My biggest concern is finding someone that can rebuild this the way it should be. The mechanicals don't scare me half as much as the body work. If you hear of anyone in the Midwest area please let me know.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 LS5 Convertible

Tim Thorpe in the St. Louis area comes to mind, if he still works on Corvettes. His name used to be associated with restoring some of the high dollar L-88 cars. I don't know him, I've just seen his work on "sharks."

Patrick

[Dick W.]

Re: 1971 LS5 Convertible

Tim is still in the business in O'Fallon, IL Phone is 618 632-8080

[Tom Northcott]

Re: 1971 LS5 Convertible

Thanks Dick, I got a hold of him and he is going to look at it on Saturday. Hopefully it will soon be on the road again!