[Peter B]

I crashed my 968 during autocross.  I spun out going from one gate to the next, slide 25+ yards sideways and hit a concrete wall.  I hit the drivers front corner with the tail going backwards, brakes locked up/clutch in.   Then the driver's side came around and slid into the wall.  I hit a a Jersey barrier, with the base sticking out, so the side of the driver's side body was mostly spared.   

 

Nobody hurt - just the beautiful car.   I'm pretty sure insurance won't cover this.  I need to ask.  

 

The front suspension is clearly damaged.  The tires point in different directions and appears to be lower.  I had it  towed to a body shop and I haven't really taken a close look.  

 

The Shop today said it was likely "un-repairable".  I was thinking of getting all the suspension parts off of a junk 968 and replacing them.  This assumes the mounting points are good.  

 

I'm no expert on this.  When is "un-repairable" really un-repairable.  What should I ask and look for? 

 

I've got a few ugly pics here.  Don't look if you're squeamish.   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

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[Rap]

Somewhat similar to mine. What’s your rail look like? Although mine was judge totaled I was faced with a choice of straightening a bent frame. I chose not to and took as many parts as I could and bolted them onto another car. Was it insured for the autocross? Happy to talk to you. PM me if interested. If not good luck.

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[94SilverCab]

Regarding insurance, it seems that different companies respond differently for Autocross. Because it is a single car, then it might not be considered competition.  My policy specifies "no timed events", but would allow drivers education.

 

At least you weren't hurt.

 

Good Luck, 

 

Jay

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[az968]

Oh, man, what a bummer.... I presume it's a good body shop? You should have them show you what's wrong and maybe it's replaceable parts and they think cost to repair is more than value of the car. Some parts aren't too hard to DIY. But it does look like the frame may be bent.

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[MCL968]

I don't think there is an actual point where a car becomes "un-repairable", in my experience it depends on the value of the car, and the integrity the car is left with after the repair.

 

I was having my 1966 fastback straightened by a frame shop in San Diego, and they had a 1977 GT4 Dino on the rack getting some pulls. It was horribly bent, and most cars with that degree of damage would have been totaled. Because of the value of the car, they were fixing it, but the owner of the shop said it would not be nearly as stiff as it was before the accident. It would be straight and square, but not like it was before it met the telephone pole.

 

The same applies to your 968. If you will be content with a car that is close to what it was before the crash, and you are willing to spend the money, then go for it. If not, start with another car and go from there.

 

If you enjoy AutoX that much, get it straightened and squared and make it a dedicated race car and you won't have to worry about the occasional scratch or ding.

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[94SilverCab]

If the 968 is too much work, maybe you can have this one fixed...Only $60K to buy it as is...

 

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/car...81030.html

 

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[JWahlsten]

I feel your pain, as I have too been in an 'on track' incident.  For my insurance I view any timed or competitive event as self insured.  Hopefully, your company is friendly toward autocross, but I can tell you mine specifically prohibits timed and/or track events.  

 

Unfortunately, your car looks bent.  They body shop can check the rails, but that looks pretty bad.  The structures on these cars are pretty strong making a hit on one corner effect another...  This  doesn't look like just suspension damage. As MLB said you could now get it straightened and put in a good cage.  Instant stiff car again!

 

Sorry to see this.  

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[Rap]

Was this a daily driver? If not JWahlsten's suggestion is a good one. Strip the inside and put a cage in. There is a cage that has been configured for the 968 that some of us use. If not while it is a pain your parts have value. Was the engine damaged? $2500. Transmission $2000+ to start. Lots of other parts. Another guy with a 968 and I are stockpiling parts. Go figure this is what I have been reduced to!!!

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[Peter B]

Hi Rap - yes this WAS my daily driver.  My 19 year old son wrecked his car so I let him drive mine my audi.  The school parking lot is killing that car.   

 

Engine, tranny and all are good - not damaged.  The damaged areas are Front and rear driver's side suspension, misc body parts.   I look at it tomorrow with the autobody guys. 

 

If you want to offer $ for it as is, please PM me.  I have a friend who's been asking for parts help.  Apparently, as he says it, the "vultures are circling".  Selling the car instead of fixing it, may be a good route.  If I do sell it, I don't want to sell it to a dismantler.  

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[Rap]

I’m sorry I didn’t mean to imply I wanted to buy your parts. I’ve been stockpiling just to have. Side view mirrors and door handles are interestingly enough parts people want. I used what I could off mine and saved others. If you have people ( vultures ) circling for parts that’s great. The hatch is another rare part. There is a fellow in the Pittsburg area who buys and sells parts and I’ve done biz with him. If you want his name and number let me know. Pete from RS Barn could be another guy to talk to. If you send me your email I will send you a pic showing how lucky you were! Good luck.

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[Eric_K]

Sorry to see the results of your incident. Joe told me about it. The car is definitely fixable. I know because I have done similar, more than once. Whether it is worth it to you to fix it is a seperate question.
 
Apparently the walls at PIR enjoy the taste of 968    because I have found them a few times. I get a tinge of PTSD seeing your car bent, sitting in the same paddock where my car was last bashed up. After a lot of work, my car is now back alive and kicking, better than ever. But it is a race car that doesn't require the cosmetic perfection of a nice street car. Hopefully you didn't get the extra joy of being billed to fix the wall that you hit. BTDT.
 
If it was my car I would try to fix it but it is a lot hassle, time and money. Having just been through it, I can see the appeal of just walking away from it and moving on.
 
Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. I try to view these as upgrade opportunities not set backs.

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[Rap]

Your comment regarding insurance not covering this might seem to indicate you did not have track insurance. While it is of course an added expense to off road driving it only takes one accident for the redeeming value of insurance to be realized. Personally it made my incident much easier to not only experience but to plan for my next steps. There is value in your car one way or the other. You just have to figure out how to best utilize that value.

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

I stay away from auto cross and racing. My 968 is way too precious for that stuff.

 

 

   

 

 

 

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