Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:51:17 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Richard Koerner van
In-Reply-To: <1970925303.2124370.1681602204075@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Today I went to a 3rd body shop; this one was recommended by my Vanagon mobile mechanic, and also all bodywork Vanagons were referred to this shop by an esteemed local Vanagon shop. Anyway....it went like this: the owner immediately recognized how significant the frame damage is. Meaning, the Vanagon unibody. He asked about insurance coverage. He said it might be a combination of rework; first, frame straightening (I can't even remove passenger seat, pedestal got deformed). Some generous tugs here, more generous tugs there. Next, maybe a "clip". Good news--he has been doing this stuff on Vanagons for about 15 years, and has many "sources" for Vanagon carcasses; he said door is no problem, and also commented that rear passenger side damage is no problem. He said, "This is a classic vehicle; it's in very high demand for a good one. If insurance company looks at Kelly BB, wrong place; needs to get with the current market. Demand it. He said, "The thing to do is to go for the 2nd party's insurance company; have their guy come with you and your Vanagon for inspection at my shop; I won't let them screw you....I've been down this road a lot of times."
On Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 04:43:24 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Thanks for posting pics, Dan, just to give others a little awareness of my situation. I'm going to hold off buying new components for now. Reason: my plan with my Vanagon Body Shop guy is to locate a carcass. For the front end work. With luck, this carcass might even have a good Passenger door. It might even have a "floppy mirror" (which I upgrade with a crosswise drilled hole into shank with a SS dowel pin). It might even have a yellow signal lens on Passenger side. It might even have a good rear quarter. Sure....new windshield and gasket....but all that comes after successful grafting of Van B onto Van A. The fit must be just right; same with the fit of Passenger door. I'm trying to stay positive. But here's the thing: I've owned this van for 34 years. Hundreds of trips and adventures. Yes, monetary investment with Subie conversion and all the goodies, new tranny, bunch of other stuff. And a lot of emotional investment; somehow, while tooling along in some nowhere place....my mind drifts to past adventures....and I smile. So, believe it or not, even if it costs me $10K out of pocket in addition to whatever I get from insurance, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
On Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12:30:07 PM PDT, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
Richard's van will need another door, door gasket, a windshield with new
gasket. Other dented areas can be pulled and repaired, a new paint job.
On Sat, Apr 15, 2023 at 5:47 AM ddbjorkman@verizon.net <
ddbjorkman@verizon.net> wrote:
> That damage id significant but can be repaired. Ask me how I know.
>
> Good luck on the fix Richard!
>
> Dave B.
> the Boston one
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Fri, Apr 14, 2023 9:01 pm
> Subject: [VANAGON] Richard Koerner van
>
> hi all,
>
> an invitation to have a look at Richard Koerner van after the accident. I
> have the before pictures but I don't show them because we all know what a
> perfect pristine condition van looks like.
>
> Good luck Richard...
>
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384318.jpg
>
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384319.jpg
>
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384320.jpg
>
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384321.jpg
>
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