Wrecked 98' project

[amf201091]

Wrecked my 98' GT after driving into a traffic sign and high siding on the median. The damage seems to be mainly the bumper impact beam, radiator, and I'm guessing the headlight nose panel (correct me if I'm wrong). Insurance declared it a total loss... I want to keep the car and turn it into a dedicated autox/drift/andallothernonsensethings build. I don't care about making her pretty again... I plan on just stripping the front end down to a bash bar and leaving the rest as is.. Obviously replace the radiator and the headlight nose panel, if I even need too.. This is a big undertaking in my world as I've only ever put in a short shifter and a valve cover gasket. So I could use some tips, inspiration, love, and all that stuff Figured this would be the time to get my hands dirty and learn a thing or two... cause why not?

 

[totalchaos]

Sounds like a fun project. I would at least make the outside look a car again.

 

[RAU03MACH]

IT is not as bad as you think ,I have seen worse put back together
I do think you can put that back together

 

[white95]

This could help..

https://www.269motorsports.com/79-9...PraPnwRgeTnJQ1g-M5kgJlOGfqbUq3kxoCUg8QAvD_BwE

 

[PinkieT]

DO IT!!!!!

 

[amf201091]

So todays activites consisted of removing the impact beam along with the airbags. But uhhh... How do I go about replacing the whole assembly that the brackets for the impact beam are welded too?? (the one bracket completely snapped off) Seems like the entire front end of the car is one piece?? Next move is to take out the radiator I suppose

 

[RAU03MACH]

you are going to need the front apron radiator support , cut all the welds that are connected to the fenders and unbolt what ever is connected , you might get lucky at a junk yard find one that's t boned and not smashed in the front

 

[amf201091]

Sounds complicated. Might leave that to a collision repair shop lol

 

[RAU03MACH]

its pretty easy you have a angel or die grinder

 

[amf201091]

I don't lol... or a welder

 

[RAU03MACH]

that will stop you

 

[RAU03MACH]

The work is easy
not having to tools sucks

 

[amf201091]

You live in nebraska? LMAO

 

[RAU03MACH]

New Mexico
if you were down here I would help you fix it ,
don't let that car go to waste it is fixable

 

[amf201091]

I plan too. I'll probably remove the radiator and then have a collision shop give me an estimate on fixing the apron support

 

[PinkieT]

Angle grinders are cheap - you can get a basic one new for $20. I bought a used MIG welder for $125, took a half day class, and then practiced some more at home on scrap metal before attacking anything serious. Maybe you can find a buddy with a welder who will come over and help you out. Offer beer, that usually gets me going!

 

[MyLittlePony]

EDIT - It won’t let me delete a post. I replied to “I’ve seen things that were put back together worse.” Not “I’ve seen worse that were put back together.”

IT is not as bad as you think ,I have seen worse put back together
I do think you can put that back together

my precious beloved e30! The first car I ever owned, got it when I was 14!... ...totaled it one morning in 1998. Father sold it as a parts car to a guy who wanted the engine. 8 years later, the car resurfaces, abandoned for several years behind a shop. The registration was never updated, and the guy who left it could not be found. In the glove box was a receipt of the repairs $1600. The customer was not the man my father sold it to.

So what does $1600 get you? They cut up the front passenger corner of a coupe, and welded it onto the battered convertible. Coupes and convertibles are apparently different in length due to the added reinforcement. They didn’t measure anything, so doors and hoods never could be shut properly. They also welded it in sections, not completely so water would get in. And if you removed the rocker panel, you could see the ground! I drove that car for three years while we did an engine swap on the mustang, and neon, which had bent a piston rod when driven into a flooded street. But towards the end, the only thing keeping that quarter on the car was the crossmember brace, and the after market strut tower brace, which had to be modified to fit properly due to the misalignment of the work done.

 

[RAU03MACH]

that is crazy popcorn welder

 

[MyLittlePony]

It was struck at the A pillar at a very low speed. Before knowing the true butchery, I paid a body shop to pull the frame. $200. Why cheap out on something like that?!? “Can’t pull it, let’s just weld another car on! Hurr de durr!”

It’s sick to think about why the car was totaled in the first place. Probably like this mustang here. 10yo BMW, have to buy brand new OEM parts, find the factory zinnoberrot paint, parts and labor... ...that’s more than $6k. Don’t care if you paid that in 97. It’s not a 9yo BMW, it’s a 10yo BMW. Those cars are worthless!

Oh well... ...at least I got 3 more years of enjoyment out of it. The very last thing that car ever told me was “Don’t hang on. Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away, and not another moment will your money buy. Dust in the wind. All we are are dust in the wind.”

 

[totalchaos]

Car doesn't look all that bad honestly. I work in a body shop. New impact bar and a couple hours on the frame machine to pull the rad support. The impact bar supports are just spot welded on. If I remember correctly it's 4 spot welds per support. Could use a 3/8 drill bit to remove the supports.