Corvette Body Panels - Whats out there?

[Rain]

After a high speed run in with a truck tire on the interstate my C5 is in need of some new body panels and front end parts. Insurance is covering replacement of the factory parts but I'm tempted to go with something besides stock. (but that's about my funding limit)

I have a RK Sport hi-rise hood that survived the impact. The nose, driver's quarter panel and rocker are toast.
Whats out there that I need to be looking at?

[Toms01]

Wow...sounds like quite a run in Rain. Several different noses, but the problem is going to be the rocker panel. From my understanding those are out of production and no one is making a replacement.

[Rain]

In noses, is the YES list shorter than the NO (AVOID AT ALL COSTS) list?

eBay has some that seem too cheap to be good. And its been years since I looked at ACI or Tigershark.

NADA on the 2000 is in the $16k range and I'm already up to $9k in damages at this point. (FYI)
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[Toms01]

Ouch! I can't say for sure Rain about the list. I have toured the ACI plant and was very impressed with the quality, though.

[bill81vette]

Ouch!!!!!Sorry to hear of your run-in....
FWIW,I would give ACI a call to see IF they are making the C-5 panels..

[XLR8]

Ouch! Sorry to hear about your mishap, Rain, but glad you're okay.
I-10 has come to resemble a recap graveyard. It's easy to see how much piles up on a daily basis because they're re-paving the section I drive every day which means it's cleaned every night!

The trucking industry lobbyist in DC must be one deep pocket individual.

Good luck with the repairs.
Jane Ann

[6 Shooter]

[Rain]

Wish I could afford to go widebody. Those are slick!!
Even Tigershark at full retail is looking like its gonna surpass my budget. Trying to see if HRE will refurbish/refinish the wheels for the same price as replacing two of them. And I get 30% off parts at the dealership so I'm pricing out that this morning.
Keep ya posted,
Rain

[Rain]

slidell la - Google Maps

Here is where the Corvette stopped. I had just started my turn to stay on I-10 east (while other vehicles were going north on I-55) and a second later slides in this big tire. It hit and went under (i assume) before I knew what had happened. Figured the whole front end was gone so I aimed for the grassy spot between the interstate split and figured the sign would stop us if the brakes didn't.

It came to a rest just a couple feet in front of this sign. Parts of the car were spread all over both shoulders and scattered for feet behind the car.

[Rain]

Today's pics:


Corvette2.jpgCorvette.jpgRocker.jpgLFrontCorvette.jpg

[Rain]

Left Front Tire/Wheel -

LFront2.jpgLFront.jpg

[XLR8]

Damn! You're living my nightmare, Rain! Everytime I pass one of those things (and so far I've been lucky enough to do just that) I shudder and think 'what would that do to a Vette at speed?!?!'

Now I know.

[Rain]

OK - help me here fellas. HRE will refurbish my wheels. WORST case (new inners, new outers, strip and re-chrome the centers. $3000 plus shipping there and back.


What do ya think? Take the $ and look for another 20/19 combo? Or do it?

[Rain]

Following up - Anyone with advice re: my wheels?

I do need to replace one of the Hankook tires, but with HRE's repair possibly blowing my budget, what else should I be looking for in a 19/20 combo?

(yes, I could drop down to a 18/19 combo but then I'd have to also purchase new tires - killing any price savings I may find)

[Rain]

UPDATE:

I sent the wheels back to HRE. They totally replaced the most damaged one and refurbished the other three. (new inner, new outer, new chrome)

In the mean time I picked up what seemed to be a great deal on some Ronal LZ-VT 19/18 wheels and have them on the car now. I think they will grow on me but the offset has to be a bit off, they stick out more than I think they should. Anyhow, I'll deal with that when I get the car back.

The shop drug their feet for a month. Promising me some ghost graphics and then not really being a qualified shop for doing it. So I finally told them to just paint it back to the original black, install the Tigershark front fascia (which Tigershark forgot to include the fog light brackets and front brake ducts) and get her back together.
Last week I stopped in and the shop had forgotten to reinstall the air pump. I had to show them where the tubes routed and terminated into the air filter/intake. (they claim they weren't done yet)
Once i get her home I plan on gutting the interior. Putting in a dynomat kit, cleaning the carpet, installing new leather seat covers, and possibly putting in a RK Sport interior kit I've had in the garage for about 4 years.
Keep ya posted!