shockingly strong

[Patrick N.]

just thought Id share a recent experience with my 05. I was driving on the highway at night in the middle lane when an SUV came shooting over and plowed into the front passenger side of my car. catching it out of the corner of my eye, I braced for impact. after the dust settled and we pulled over, the SUV had a decent amount of damage. My car now has tiny chip in the front fender, and i mean tiny. All involved were amazed at how well the car absorbed the impact. No structural damage or misaligned panels. the repair won't even meet my deductible

Impressive!

[Leif A.]

Re: shockingly strong

Patrick,

I think you had a Christmas angel watching over you. Truly amazing there wasn't more damage to your car...and, extremely fortunate, as well. Happy to hear you and your car are OK. Merry Christmas.

[Stuart F.]

Re: shockingly strong

They have made them strong for a long time now: Back in late 63, before I left the country for SEA, I was driving my L-76 hard on a country road. Came over a hill (blind rise) at about 100 where shortly beyond the other side was an intersection at which a car was completely stopped waiting to turn left, I.e. The road was blocked. I braked hard with my J-65's, but it was obvious my choices were few; 1) hit one or both cars, 2) try to get around the right side of the car in my lane by squeezing between a series of the old white poles and a telephone pole in a shallow ditch. Some how I made it through by bouncing off the poles (white on the left and pole on the right). I glanced off the poles and did a little space launch on the other side coming down hard in my lane and continuing on under full throttle. When I stopped further on up the road to inspect the damage, I expected the worse, but I instead found just some white paint on the left side of the coke bottle ridge of the C-2 body, and a good scuff on the right side. I did crack the panel below the front bumpers, but otherwise the suspension was ok

I believe it was an anomaly, probably due to the angle of the impact being a glancing blow. But, if anyone wonders why I continue to hang on to this car (a convertible), just consider I have spun off an off ramp into the weeds and only broke a rear spring and cracked a strut (other cars would have rolled over), I hit a deer (my worst experience) and only sustained a minimal amount of damage. I would have drove home with the deer on my hood only I don't like bruised meat. Call it luck or that combined with a well built car. However, I still don't subscribe to my buddy's assertion that you're better off without a seat belt in a convertible Vette, so that you are thrown clear in a roll over - uh, I think not.

Stu Fox

[Leif A.]

Re: shockingly strong

They have made them strong for a long time now: Back in late 63, before I left the country for SEA, I was driving my L-76 hard on a country road. Came over a hill (blind rise) at about 100 where shortly beyond the other side was an intersection at which a car was completely stopped waiting to turn left, I.e. The road was blocked. I braked hard with my J-65's, but it was obvious my choices were few; 1) hit one or both cars, 2) try to get around the right side of the car in my lane by squeezing between a series of the old white poles and a telephone pole in a shallow ditch. Some how I made it through by bouncing off the poles (white on the left and pole on the right). I glanced off the poles and did a little space launch on the other side coming down hard in my lane and continuing on under full throttle. When I stopped further on up the road to inspect the damage, I expected the worse, but I instead found just some white paint on the left side of the coke bottle ridge of the C-2 body, and a good scuff on the right side. I did crack the panel below the front bumpers, but otherwise the suspension was ok

I believe it was an anomaly, probably due to the angle of the impact being a glancing blow. But, if anyone wonders why I continue to hang on to this car (a convertible), just consider I have spun off an off ramp into the weeds and only broke a rear spring and cracked a strut (other cars would have rolled over), I hit a deer (my worst experience) and only sustained a minimal amount of damage. I would have drove home with the deer on my hood only I don't like bruised meat. Call it luck or that combined with a well built car. However, I still don't subscribe to my buddy's assertion that you're better off without a seat belt in a convertible Vette, so that you are thrown clear in a roll over - uh, I think not.

Stu Fox

And, you my friend, are a cat with nine lives. Merry Christmas to you, as well.

[Patrick N.]

Re: shockingly strong

Can't say was doing the "proper" speed in my car as Stu was when I got in my scuffle, but like you said Leif- early Christmas present was well liked! I'm sure this crowd can spot the excessive damage quickly
Merry Christmas guys
vette.jpg

[Jim D.]

Re: shockingly strong

No structural damage or misaligned panels. the repair won't even meet my deductible

Impressive!

If he hit you, his insurance should be the one paying, not yours. You shouldn't have any out of pocket costs.

[Leif A.]

Re: shockingly strong

Can't say was doing the "proper" speed in my car as Stu was when I got in my scuffle, but like you said Leif- early Christmas present was well liked! I'm sure this crowd can spot the excessive damage quickly
Merry Christmas guys
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Patrick,

If you're talking about that little "pimple" on the wheel opening then you truly had a guardian angel on your shoulder...amazing!!! Can't tell if the discoloration above the side marker light is a reflection or some residual paint from your "friend".