70 M20 02 Body Shop Documentation

[evanc]

Some of you may recall that I was in an accident on 101 South just past hospital curve almost three years ago. Since that terrible day I've been fighting with the insurance company (AllState) first over the value and then over how much it was going to cost to do the repair. Long story short when I was back in the states I brought my car to a guy who specializes in classics and works with insurance! The money has just been secured for the work to begin here are some photos of the progress so far.

UPDATE: May 11, 2010

The parts covered by insurance have been delivered. The additional fenders, door and front clip are on order, but to be delivered in the next two to three weeks. What started as just a simple "fix" the rear end damage has now turned into replacing other body panels and a full respray (including the engine bay). I'm only going to do this once in my life, so I'm jumping feet first. **YIKES** No photos yet to post. Thanks for following along.

UPDATE: December 21, 2010

Things are starting to take shape now and honest work has begun on the body shop portion of the restoration. The first sprays of Malaga have been shot and you can see from the photos that Roger is very detail orientated. This update has been a long time coming, but I only go home once a year thus the slow updates.

That's all for now, but when I get photos I'll post them up. This is a once and a lifetime opportunity for me and it's ironic that the only way to do this is to live 7,000 miles away. The night before I went to see my car I couldn't sleep. I've got problems.

UPDATE: 20.05.2011

Just got some new photos of the body work. Roger has been so great to work with and as you can see does very meticulous work. I'm very happy to see the progress of his work. Enjoy

Update: August 29, 2011

Just added about 20 photos from the body shop. It's looking good. The plan is to have all the body work done by the time I return home in December. Notice anything unique about the latest photos?

That is it for now. Sorry if they are out of order. I just wanted to get them posted so you guys could see the progress. Really hard to over see a project when you live 7000 miles from the shop, but things are looking great. Let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend fellow 02ers!

[sl0ride]

holy hell, that rear was in bad shape. Good luck.

[bkerr]

Nice work Evan. Did you also buy a new trunk floor. It will be much easier doing the replacement with the quarter and rear panel off the car. Lots of nice welding spots. Good luck with the project.

Best,

Brian

[eastsidebimmer]

My 68 2002 was in an near identical collision. I have a new quarter, trunk floor, tail panel, etc but I've not started the expensive part of the project--the bodyshop. I'd like to stay in touch with you to see how your project is coming along and ask about the billed labor hours so I have some idea how much my car will cost to rebuild. mobiletradition at gmail Thanks! -Ben

[evanc]

Hi Ben,

Sorry to see that you got hammered like I did. That's great that you've secured all those new body panels. I only was able to get the rear center section and trunk floor board.

When I get an estimate for the body work I'll let you know. The insurance is going to cover everything you see in the photos above. The estimated cost is in the 8.5 - 10K range. Initially the insurance company said it could be done for 6k and I knew that it couldn't but after a long back and forth my 02 is finally getting some love.

I'll be in touch.

My 68 2002 was in an near identical collision. I have a new quarter, trunk floor, tail panel, etc but I've not started the expensive part of the project--the bodyshop. I'd like to stay in touch with you to see how your project is coming along and ask about the billed labor hours so I have some idea how much my car will cost to rebuild. mobiletradition at gmail Thanks! -Ben

[evanc]

Got hit pretty bad. Never thought I'd be doin a resto on my car.... Kinda cool to see bare metal

[jgerock]

You car looks to be in very capable hands at the body shop.

Very nice pictures (and another MALAGA).

[evanc]

Roger is a stand up guy and does some pretty amazing work from what I've seen.

I know from talking with my buddies when I was home that there was some chatter about how common MALAGA is now. I love the color and although it's not the original NEVADA & it's not a tii, as my custom rally car it'll be perfect.

Hopefully more photos to follow soon.

You car looks to be in very capable hands at the body shop.

Very nice pictures (and another MALAGA).

[nbcbird]

Evan--Glad to see your progress with the bodywork. I see now you're in Poland. Again thanx for getting the horn button to me while you were in Germany.--Jim

[schwarz75]

Your body shop is doing some excellent work. Nice car and glad that you're saving it.

[tjones02]

Lookin great! Progress!!!

Can't wait to get it back up here to reinstall the drivetrain. Looks like I'm gonna have to detail the motor out to match the rest of the car! Black wrinkle powdercoated valve cover with polished ribs, a few plated parts here and there, maybe even black wrinkle intake ala Alpina and Dinan.

BTW for all following this thread, the M20 is going back in without cutting the nose this time.... More details on that when the time comes.

[NickVyse]

awesome Evan - congrats on saving that one, she's going to be a beaut.

N

[evanc]

Thanks for comments guys. It's exciting to finally see the car come back together after 4 years. I honestly can't believe that my accident on 101 South at Hosptial Curve was that long ago. I've only driven one other 02 since then and I'm itchin. Although, I won't be able to drive the 02 during the summer for two more years

There was a point that I was considering not fixing the damage and starting over, but the personal history with my 02 won me over. After all it was the only West Coast car to drive the entire US on the way to the Bavaria Tour 02

As Tom mentioned, after the body shop work is completed it'll be flatbedded up to Casey Motorsports. More photos to come and will post as they are sent to me.

It's nice to see the Swap and Show photos that people have posted. Bummed not to be home to go to events like that.

[Evan Chong]

Well... it's been a long time and after 12 years of living/working abroad, I'm back in California and believe it or not my 02 is about 50% back on the road.  I had to read the posts to remind myself what exactly has been done!  

 

Long story short, the drive line is back in, but we have a few challenges with the nose, which I thought I had asked to be buttoned up (welded) is now removable, but the screws weren't installed while some of the other mounting spots still need holes to be drilled (frame rail).  Once we can get that nose secured, Sean Casey can continue working to finish off the cooling.  The drive line is all in and we are using the Dan William's M20 motor mounts that I originally had before the accident in 2007.  At this point, and this is being totally honest, I just want my car to drive.  I'm going to leave it as is and when I have more money and time I'll put attention into the interior.  It's been 13 years since my 02 last ran... I'm not getting any younger!  It does seem kinda crazy that I'm doing a motor swap for a motor that puts out 168HP...  Maybe I'll have to turbo it... the boosted life, right?!  Not sure the dif will be able to handle the power and well, that's another cost to beef that up.  One day... I'll post photos soon.  So bummed that photobucket dumped all the other photos. 

 

Goal to have my 02 running is the end of February.  Wish us luck!