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Corvette totaled from one inch of damage

RapidRabbit

Well-Known Member
Donator
Hey Mike, don't run anything over in your Corvette.

http://jalopnik.com/heres-how-a-corvette-was-totaled-because-of-one-inch-of-1806727930

Here his story

On July 19, my wife and I were in the middle of northbound late in heavy traffic heading back from Des Moines on I-35 by Ankeny, IA. The vehicle in front of us had cleared an object that was lying in the middle of my lane. I couldn’t avoid it or stop without causing what would probably be serious accidents for multiple vehicles. I had no choice other than to go over it, hoping it was small enough to go under the car.

We aren’t sure what it was, maybe a rock, maybe a chunk of steel, but whatever it was, it was HARD. It barely nicked one of the alignment adjustment cams, then went on to dent the aluminum stiffening panel that also protects the exhaust and torque tube, bending three bolts on the panel and broke the head off one. Further back it dented a shield for the driver’s side gas tank and then hit a part of the frame. At least it missed the oil cooler.

I had it inspected at Karl Chevrolet the next day and from a quick look, there didn’t seem to be any serious damage. We took it in to Karl’s for repair a few weeks later and we were told the frame strike caused a small crack, less than an inch and a half long and they were having difficulty finding a replacement part.

A few days later, the shop told us the part is not available from Chevrolet and the car would be totaled.

That led to a week and a half of calls with the insurance company who disputed what we were told as they thought that a part may be available or that the crack could be welded. We couldn’t get them to answer our question about who would warranty the car when welding apart that was labeled as unavailable from Chevrolet. Chevrolet indicated replacing it would compromise the structural integrity of the car.

The insurance company finally came to the same conclusion on the frame part being unavailable, and declared it a total loss. We were surprised that after all of this, they gave us a fair offer and had a check to us for the car the very next day.





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No one at GM will stick out his neck and will say that if it will be welded by a pro , it will be OK for the structural of the car .
Thats the only reason the car is totaled.
I beat when it is welded by a pro , its good as a brand new car.
If this crack jeopardize the structural/safety of the car , something is very wrong with the car's concept.
Its all about accountability, nothing with the car itself.
my 2 eurocent.
 
GM sucks, period. I had to have the radio in my 1995 Suburban replaced 3 times, more importantly, I had to replace the heads on the Diesel engine due to sloppy Systems Engineering. If I did that kind of sloppy work in my job, I would have been fired. I will never own a GM vehicle again.

The Company has no clue
 
I believe the frame is hydroformed aluminum. My C5 is stock ride height, and if you make a fist it will just touch as you push it under the front spoiler. The center section of the spoiler is spring loaded so it doesn't get damaged (as often). There are two skid bars under the nose to help when going over speed bumps and in and out of driveways. It rides so low that I couldn't get it in one of my garages because it would bottom out in the middle. I had to make a ramp to get the back of the car high enough to drive it in. I absolutely hate to drive it on a freeway in crowded conditions, because what the SUV in front of you drives right over is going to tear-up your front end. You need to be able to see the road in front of you and have time to dodge objects.
 
If YOU have the full story. Know and have talked to ALL involved. Have all the engineering degrees involved. Well then I would listen to your opinion. But spouting off out of ignorance is just internet noise. But alas......


No criticism of Pat. He just reported it and a good story it is. Vehicles these days are designed to the edge and many things that could in the old days no longer can....but, I think we are safer and have much more performance than the "back in my day" attitude.
 
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that is a sharp looking car. Someone is going to get a great deal on it, weld up the crack and drive it like no tomorrow!
 
Its that weld of a structural aluminum that you will have to trust.....Do you trust Willy who welded your lawn furniture...hey its fine why not?

If the manufacturer thinks its a risk...and cost prohibitive....I think it a perfect car for those who think ignorance is bliss.
 
Its that weld of a structural aluminum that you will have to trust.....Do you trust Willy who welded your lawn furniture...hey its fine why not?

If the manufacturer thinks its a risk...and cost prohibitive....I think it a perfect car for those who think ignorance is bliss.

I know many certified welders that could make it stronger than factory. Of course GM call it a total loss. First they don't have to pay for it, the insurance does. And second, thanks to frivolous lawsuits, if something happened down the road, even if it had nothing to do with the weld, a lawyer would own GM!

As a metallurgical engineer and someone that has more than passing knowledge of mechanics and cars, I would have zero issues with driving it after it was fixed correctly.

That being said, if my insurance is buying the car and paying me for a new one, I would jump on that deal!!
 
I know many certified welders that could make it stronger than factory. Of course GM call it a total loss. First they don't have to pay for it, the insurance does. And second, thanks to frivolous lawsuits, if something happened down the road, even if it had nothing to do with the weld, a lawyer would own GM!

As a metallurgical engineer and someone that has more than passing knowledge of mechanics and cars, I would have zero issues with driving it after it was fixed correctly.

That being said, if my insurance is buying the car and paying me for a new one, I would jump on that deal!!
Ken, you should prove yourself right by buying that car, getting it welded up and then ship it to me and I will happily drive the crap out of it in the name of science.
 
8 GRAND , if I had the opportunity , it was mine.
Shipping , import tax , regular tax and insurance overhere , it would kill me instantely !!!
 
Ken, you should prove yourself right by buying that car, getting it welded up and then ship it to me and I will happily drive the crap out of it in the name of science.


You are way too kind Terry, but I am not currently in the market to spend money to prove my point! I doubt it will sell cheap either!
 
Ken, you should prove yourself right by buying that car, getting it welded up and then ship it to me and I will happily drive the crap out of it in the name of science.
Is that because you still haven't figured out how to finish your car, get it done and on the road?
 
Is that because you still haven't figured out how to finish your car, get it done and on the road?
How is not an issue, funny guy. Time is my problem. I just got back in the wee hours this morning and have family stuff to attend tomorrow and then back out Sunday night for work. Sucks but pays the bills. October looks like things might slow down. :(
 
How is not an issue, funny guy. Time is my problem. I just got back in the wee hours this morning and have family stuff to attend tomorrow and then back out Sunday night for work. Sucks but pays the bills. October looks like things might slow down. :(

Your priorities are out a whack.
 
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