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Crash - Fix or Replace?

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  • Peter B.
    Expired
    • July 31, 2000
    • 155

    Crash - Fix or Replace?

    Guys - I found a great shop that will work on my crashed 71. The question I have is that since the crash (someone backed into the front of my car in a parking lot, bumper went up and cracked left, center, right of headlights) should I replace the top surround or have the fiberglass repaired? I am leaning toward the repair so I dont mess with original parts. What do you all think?
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  • Tom S.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • March 1, 2004
    • 1087

    #2
    Re: Crash - Fix or Replace?

    If it were me I would try to repair the original. They are only original once so I would save what I could. Do you have a good glass repaiman? Or will you do it yourself? Try getting Dick Whittington's opinion. Tom

    Comment

    • Dick W.
      Former NCRS Director Region IV
      • June 30, 1985
      • 10483

      #3
      Re: Crash - Fix or Replace?

      Peter, I believe that you will be a lot happier if you went ahead and replaced the upper surround. To repair that area where it would not show would be very difficult. Sermershiem makes a good press molded surround. I have one of them here right now for our '72
      Dick Whittington

      Comment

      • Jim T.
        Expired
        • March 1, 1993
        • 5351

        #4
        Re: Crash - Fix or Replace?

        I had the top surround replaced from the doors forward. This was done about 1980. The professional body man that did my car told me when he saw my damage from a minor collision that replacement was the best way and that is what he did.

        Comment

        • Rich P.
          Expired
          • January 12, 2009
          • 1361

          #5
          Re: Crash - Fix or Replace?

          Pete,

          The damage in the pictures indicate that if you wanted to save the surround you will have to cut out the front section and straighten the header bar. At that point you would be sectioning the surround in from the forward fender skirt bonding area. Also if you don't fully cut out and releive the stress put on the nose and fenders you will wind up with cracks later.

          If you replace the surrond you will want to use your original header bar as the repros are not even close and don't always have the same mounting spots for relays and the like. Your header bar has a riveted bonding strip to it while the replacements have steel bonded directly to the glass and is easy to spot.

          I would recomend replacing the surroud as you will be suprised at how much stress is locked into the nose and is pulling the fenders in and down and can only be fixed by cutting the surround out and letting the fenders go back int thier original shape

          Rich

          Comment

          • Tom L.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • October 17, 2006
            • 1439

            #6
            Re: Crash - Fix or Replace?

            I'm not a body mam by any means, however in my car's history it took a hit something like yours. A donor nose was added from the wheels forward, I don't know when but by the time I bought it the nose was sagging and the stress bent the hood enough to start a hairline crack. I would assume the a fix to your existing pieces may result in the same result down the road. I ended up having the entire nose, except for the hood, with PM parts and after two years no problems (knock on wood). Good luck!

            Comment

            • Edward M.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • November 1, 1985
              • 1916

              #7
              Re: Crash - Fix or Replace?

              Recommend replacing the upper surround. Any other type of repair will be detectible. Correctly replacing the upper surround, if done properly, will not be detectible.

              Comment

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