Hit and run!!
 

Not happy. Went to my work site at 10am this morning. Left for a errand at 3. During my errand I notice my rear passenger side was hit by a red car. Thinking it happened at City Hall I called... no cameras. I am pretty ticked at this point since finding the perp will never happen. Or so I thought.

I get back to the work site and find my co-worked picked up pieces of tail light near my car and put in in a pile by the door. He thought they were mine. Well I was happy in once sense. Since it happened at my work site they number of people could have done it was narrowed down.

The work site is an 8 unit apartment complex that I am remodeling to new. To the side it one small duplex. So after the police get involved I still get nowhere. We try the tenants, who have been in trouble with the law since they moved in. We know they are home, but they wont answer.

So later tonight I drive by in chance the car is there. No car, but lights are on. I then ask about who of their friends owns a red Cavalier. I had narrowed it down to that based on the lens design and part number. After a bit of reluctance they give me their friends info.

So I guess in the end it *might* work out. I told the officer to nail the girl for all she can. And if she pays for repairs, or her insurance takes care of it, then maybe I will reverse the hit and run to a failure to report.

Had the car two weeks and its already been hit!!!

Now I need to price out a new passenger rear light assembly. I am also taking it to Euro paint/repair shop for estimate. I am guessing around a grand at this time.

Nice one Sherlock I hope it comes good

sorry to hear about this. it was your tenacity to continue to try and find the culprit that finally paid off. most people would have given up. now, hopefully, with a little work, the car will look like new again!

Give me some beer and I will handle the situation for you, I have done this sorta thing before. :cool::cool::cool::D

I'll help out if you split the beer with me. I think we'd make a pretty solid team.

Sounds like a plan to me, let's do it. :cool::cool::cool::D

I've had that happen too and it sucks! You're lucky that you were able to get something on the offender, better luck than I have had in the past. Good luck, hope it works out for you.

Heard nothing today. I will call the cop shop tomorrow.

I will also try to get pics. First estimate, $2,800!! If you saw the damage, there is no way it can be that much. But they want to replace the bumper which is $1,100 and a new tail lens which is $695.

$700 for a tail lens? Maybe at the dealer. Find a shop that buys parts from the places we all do!

I doubt the Ins will pay for a new bumper/lens either. It's an older car ans as some other thread pointed out the ins co will only pay for salvage parts on a older vehicle. I had the same done on mine and as long as it looks like it did before the accident I do not mind. Bumper is going to be painted regardless of new or old and as long as the lens is not cracked or tarnished it's no big deal as far as I am concerned.

Good sleuthing job. Hopefully it all works out.

Well I want a few high estimates then go from there. I would prefer a used lens anyway, unless I can find a new PAIR. Otherwise they will not match in color, especially the back-up light portion. And the prices for parts were indeed "new dealer items".

In the end I will probably have a friend repair it for much, much less. One restores Studebakers - his son actually runs the national museum. And the other has a shop pertaining to street rods. They are both about perfection. So either the way my just acquired Benz will look good again!

Any word if the driver of the Caviler has to pay up or anything?

1990-1991 560SEC/SEL repairs CHEAP !!!! (pic's included)
 

I had to go and repossess this 1990 560SEC (seen here, after I fixed it up, in May...)

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...ade91/0391.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...ade91/0091.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r.../mini-0351.jpg


When I recovered it, it was a mess. The rear bumper was utterly ruined, she had tried to take out a pole, (unsuccessfully) when backing up.


http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...-IMG_02261.jpg


A junkyard search, netted a replacement rear bumper for $68 !!!!

In good condition, too, even the correct color, smoke silver !!!

Easy install, right there at the junkyard !!!

Before:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...redownload.jpg

During:


http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...wnloadjpg2.jpg

After:

Voila !!!!! Almost as good as new !!!

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...wnloadjpg3.jpg



As for the taillight, I agree, check the shade on the backup light lens before buying a used one.


You could find one in good shape at any junkyard; probably for about no more than $20 for one, or double that for a matched pair, of them.

But be careful, -- the tail light seal needs to be perfect!!! It is a VERY common problem when they rot, or don't seal perfectly, that water leaks into the trunk through he tail light seal on this model.

When it rains, check how it runs down the roof, into the trunk drains and empties out on both sides of the license plate. This is why your tail light and its seal ALWAYS needs to be in perfect condition!

(seen on the coupe here, the night I repossessed it in May this year; cleaned and repaired where needed and now with a new owner in Florida.)

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...-IMG_02251.jpg

Late picture taken shortly before shipment to Florida from here in June of this year:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...ade91/0021.jpg

Wow looks like a SEC (slightly lifted) 4 matic!

Yes,
Stock 15" wheels will do that. The handling is very untidy when pushed hard into corners, the car leans luridly, and feels sloppy, though doing this with typical American sedans would have them cornering on their door handles..

I think the stock tires and wheels, show WAY too much space below the fenders; I agree.

The black 1991 one I decided to keep, though is running on 16" AMG Penta wheels, and lowered with eibachs and Bilstein HD's and the SLS is retained at the rears, and has a very slight rake.

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...e57d0d55_b.jpg

It can be caned really hard into corners, especially into decreasing radius ones, to no ill effect, except for some body lean. (as seen here, recently in Sacramento)

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...aa4b9c0b_b.jpg

Also lowering the car PLUS going to 16's integrates the overall look better, it eliminates the huge gap in the wheel wells, without rubbing, though the ride is definately harsher than stock, which is silky smooth.