car accident question
 

i just got into a minor accident with my 87 300e with a saturn. The front wheel is a little tilted (control arm probably broke), the passengers door is dented and the front quarter panel is smashed. when we looked at it while it was in storage, it was just leaking washer fluid.

question 1. are parts like these easily avaliable from junkyards?
2. anyone know of a shop in the southern chicagoland area that can make the car drivable for an affordable price?

thanks for your help

For what it's worth, I've seen cars (especially as old as yours) with damage such as you've described, declared "totaled" by insurance companies.. I assume you don't have full coverage insurance.

In order to get it drivable, you probably will have to put it on a frame straightener, in order to get the suspension mounting points lined up for proper geometry, before you can even start trying to replace parts. That alone can be pretty expensive. :eek:

You might actually want to consider parting the car out if it's too expensive for you to fix it. Good used parts command a premium price these days on places like eBay, since there are so many of these aging cars still on the road today.

i wouldnt jump to the
 

conclusion that the frame is bent without a thorough examination. many of the parts can be changed by a determined hobbiest and get it back on the road. the cosmetic issues are much more difficlut fo r the amature.

tom w

id love to have it driveable in a couple weeks, but i dont think thats going to happen. i could care less about the dents and stuff.

a little tilt
 

may not hurt much. i would just look at everything carefully, comparing the bent side to the straight side. and making notes.

good luck.

tom w