Well guys, shes done for...

The '74 Grabber has drove it's last mile as of 6:30 this morning. I had just picked up my gf and was makeing a left turn through an intersection. Looked to make sure no one was comeing and started on my way. Next thing I know Krystina (my friend) starts screaming and I hear a loud crash noise and I'm spinning around and aiming the wrong way in the road, looking at the bottom of the hood. I don't know who did what or whos fault it was, I have to go to court on January 23rd to sort all that out. I'm sure I'll get screwed because I'm 18.

Got hit by a brand new 2005 white Lincoln Navigator. He was running about 60 mph, I was going about 10 mph. It had recently stopped raining. The Lincoln had 300 miles on it. The guy driving it was in his late 50's or early 60's, seemed like a real nice guy. It broke his grill, head light and smashed his bumper. Also blew his air bags.

I got threw into the steering wheel and hit my head on the rear view mirror. Kryssie got threw into the passenger door and hit her head pretty good on the window, but I think she is alright. The stock 3 point seat belts really didn't do anything... I think I may have a couple of broken fingers on my left hand. I can't feel my 2 middle fingers and one of them is now swollen up and bleeding in a couple of places and I can't move it. It literally ripped my hand off the steering wheel and I guess then that my hand smacked into the heater controls because they are all bent sideways and the plastic panel is broke. I'll be going to the doctor for that soon.

The cops came and questioned me and Kryssie and then her mom came and took her on to school. I had the Maverick towed back to my house. I'm not sure at this point what to do or whats going to happen to it. I did get it started but I think the block may be cracked. For some reason blue smoke blows out all around the engine and big clouds of blue smoke come out the exaust. I backed the car up and turned it around in the driveway and it seems to be holding oil pressure.

Right now I am just in shock. I cannot believe the Maverick is actually wrecked. It's just absolutely unbelievable. The doors and everything still open and close like normal, but the front frame rails are tweaked. I just can't believe it. It's like a bad dream. Do you guys think there is absolutely any hope of fixing it? I would cut the entire front sub frame off if thats what it takes. And I thought yesterday morning with the dead battery sucked. I just cannot believe this. It did get on the radio and traffic was backed up pretty bad on 317/Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Here's a few pics:

 

Ouch, that sucks hope everything works out for you in court.

Stephen

 

Man ... that really sucks! I would take the money it would cost to fix it and put it in the red car you just got. Not even sure if a body shop would even want to touch that and stick it on a frame machine ... Let me know if you need anything .... That wasn't your ride up to NC tomorrow was it?

 

Yea Dan it was. I'm not sure what I'm going to do right now as far as the red car goes. I've got some thinking to do.

I'm really ready to do what ever it takes to save this car. It's just to good of a car. This may sound stupid but I have really become attached to it with all the work I have put into it. If I have to cut the frame off myself and have someone help me weld the front clip off one of my parts cars on, I will.

The red car will probably become my daily drive depending on some stuff.

 

Man that sucks Jamie. Glad no-one was seriously injured. I have to agree with Dan though. I would use the parts to fix up the 72. Probably wont be able to completly straighten the frame.
Tim

 

I hear yah ... guess it's up to you to decide if it's worth the time, money and effort ... If it's gonna be a while before you get back to NC should I start looking for another damper for my engine?

 

Jamie ... didn't you say you removed the third pulley off of you car? If you do still have it perhaps I could use your damper if you are gonna be taking your car off the road for a while?

 

Dan, I'm going to probably get my grandpa to come down here and tow it to NC sometime this week after we hear something from the insurance company. I'm pretty sure they will call it totaled. If you want the damper it's yours. The rubber is kind of dry rotted on it but it works fine. I think the engine is probably ruined anyways.

Man this just screwed up so much for me. I just cannot believe it.

The car will drive again, but it will be a while. For now it will go sit in NC with a tarp over it.

 

Do you still have the third pulley ... no good without that since I need all three .... anyway somebody could pull the one in NC off the engine and your grandpa could bring it down?

How far a ride is it if we were to drive up and pull it ourselves if I drove?

 

This is not your week!

Hate to say it but, judging by the shock tower braces and what appears to be cowl damage it is not going to be an easy fix. Let's see what Jean and Ray say.

 

Jamie,

Sorry to hear/see what happened. But, as I'm sure you have already heard, the important thing is that no one was seriously hurt, that is number one! Hopefully you can fix the car, but even if you can't, it's only metal and it can be replaced. I understand how you have become attached to it emotionally, I totally remember how I felt about my Stallion many years ago. I can't say I have become "attached" to my new Maverick yet, but I'm sure as time goes buy, and as I put more time into it (and someday have it painted to look like my first car), I will. So even though it's tough to see the damage on the car (kind of like an old friend in pain), you can and will divert your time and efforts into another one (or fix this one if possible). Again, main thing is that you are ok.

Hey, get those fingers checked out!
Art

 

'Sorry to hear the news. Glad no one was seriously injured.

Stay in bed for a few more days - you're luck hasn't been the best this week.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. And as much as it hurts, you gotta start preparing for the case. As an 18 year old, its stacked against you.

Fight, fight, and fight some more....

 

that's a bummer. sorry to hear that but glad everyone is okay. i'd wait a couple of days and go back to look at the location. what's the speed limit there? any stop or yield signs? if it was raining was he going to fast for the conditions? just a few questions to think about. hope you make out okay in court.

 

Jamie, there are enough parts on my red '76 and the drag car I got from Rick Porter to about 90% put that '74 back together again. Come down when you can and let's look 'em over.