The Phoenix!

[Paul Workman]

It has taken a while, but my "Phoenix" has started to stir, and soon will be back in her nest!

Some good news: As Brett had predicted, the frame damage wasn't too bad, limited to the frame rails being bent up slightly at the "horns".

And, apparently, this wasn't the ol girl's first rodeo! the frame was tweaked at the same spots previously. It didn't show up in the Car Fax either. However, that first "go round" was also minor, but a bit more damage than my episode.

In all, the passenger side horn had to come down 10mm and the driver's side 15mm.

Very precise measurements...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Vettes/takingmeasurements_zpsec27746a.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Vettes/takingmeasurements_zpsec27746a.jpg.html)

Front to back, side to side. Only the horns affected: Got lucky!

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Vettes/moremeasurements_zps53bee858.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Vettes/moremeasurements_zps53bee858.jpg.html)

Fuzzy photo, but this is the spot behind the driver side front wheel where it got tweaked - twice now.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Vettes/driverssideframedamage_zps62fc8955.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Vettes/driverssideframedamage_zps62fc8955.jpg.html)

Putting the strain on...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Vettes/Pullinghornsdown_zps3a9ca859.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Vettes/Pullinghornsdown_zps3a9ca859.jpg.html)

Once the strain is applied, the bent spot is "massaged" (read: beat with a hammer!) to relax the metal's natural elasticity. All better... (see "whack marks"?)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Vettes/framespotfixed_zps19494627.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Vettes/framespotfixed_zps19494627.jpg.html)

"New hood installed and being precisely fitted on "for size".

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Vettes/newhoodmeasurements_zps24320a12.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Vettes/newhoodmeasurements_zps24320a12.jpg.html)

Next step: finish installing replacement pieces, and then paint... Talk about a "winter project"!!

[Kevin]

it's like a phoenix rising out of Arizona

[Paul Workman]

it's like a phoenix rising out of Arizona

The legendary Phoenix rises from it own ashes...

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Phoenix-Ashes.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Phoenix-Ashes.jpg.html)

Well, not really as miraculous or dramatic as all that, but none the less - she will soar again!!

[Z51JEFF]

Lookin good Paul!

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Barely hurt either time, Paul. They'll be no ill effect to your value, if I were looking to purchase another Z. I've seen much worse put back together.

[Paul Workman]

Barely hurt either time, Paul. They'll be no ill effect to your value, if I were looking to purchase another Z. I've seen much worse put back together.

Yeah... I BET YOU HAVE, Brett!

(Referring to Brett's 89 proto ZR-1 restoration- you'd have to see to believe!)

[LancePearson]

Looks pretty good, Paul. With a rig like that the skill of those operating it to straighten it, even with the "mallet thumping" is paramount. Looking good. Will you just paint the hood or the whole body?
Lance Pearson

[Paul Workman]

Just dropped by the repair shop to check on 'er. She's all better! The hood and the bumper are installed now, and everything lines up nicely!

Looking good. Will you just paint the hood or the whole body?
Lance Pearson

I'd rather NOT paint the whole thing if I can avoid the $$. However, the hood and bumper have to be painted, and the rear bumper cover needs a small crack fixed and so it too has to be painted. After blending the paint at each end, virtually the entire car is involved...So, it doesn't look like there is much $$ to be saved - or that big of a gap between just the involved panels and doing the whole thing. I might be able to avoid doing the top, since it was not scratched. At least maybe that is where I can save a few bucks. might as well "connect the dots, I guess. [sigh].

Well! She'll be home tomorrow so I can get her running again (after installing the radiator and coolant). Then she'll be able to be driven to the paint shop under her own POWER.

I can't wait to see her all fixed up! Shouldn't be long now!

[-=Jeff=-]

Is that a hood from Jason?

[Schrade]

Was the frame hit in front of the wheel?

[efnfast]

This all started with Paul out to have fun. Bummer.

[Paul Workman]

Is that a hood from Jason?

Yep!

[Paul Workman]

This all started with Paul out to have fun. Bummer.

Now who said I didn't have fun? Hey! I logged some flight time in a Z!!:p

[Racinfan83]

Glad to see you posting today....:)

Wondered how close all those tornadoes yesterday got to you...
Couple that I work with and are good friends live 5 miles south of where the one hit New Minden and killed a couple people...

Sorry for the hi-jack - looks like the car is getting better!
And red is hard to match - guy down the street is a former bodyman/bodyshop owner - he buys stuff at auction now and fixes them up in his garage. He has been working on a red Chevy crew cab for a while now - and is having a bad time matching the paint. Think he's gonna end up with a total re-paint...

[Paul Workman]

Update!

Came home to today to finish convalescing/fitting/painting.

Found a crack in one of the rocker panels, but I'm sure it is fixable. (No, Brett...I'm not even going to say it! LOL!)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Zrepair8-19-13-2_zpsb8876ea8.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Zrepair8-19-13-2_zpsb8876ea8.jpg.html)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/Zrepair8-19-13-1_zps5f85c76f.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/Zrepair8-19-13-1_zps5f85c76f.jpg.html)

have to install the radiator (thanks Pete), fill -er with coolant and go visit Jason Francis (Vette2Vette) for some brackets and odds and ends - whatever she needs. Ooooh...she's getting closer!:icon_boun

P.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Looking good, Paul!!!

Hey, got any extra front bumper shims laying around????? LOL

[Paul Workman]

Looking good, Paul!!!

Hey, got any extra front bumper shims laying around????? LOL

Could be!

See PM

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Just funnin' with ya Paul