OT: What a bonehead!!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
OT: What a bonehead!!
I pulled a dumb move today and drove into the garage with a loaded roof rack that is attached to the drip rails of my Airflow. Three of the four mounting points survived with minor damage that I was able to fix. However, the fourth mounting point really tore the drip rail. I'm sure that it can be repaired, but I'd prefer to find a good used drip rail, but know that might be extremely difficult. I'm going to file an insurance claim on Monday to see what they can do/pay for. I plan on taking the car to a classic Jaguar restoration shop with hopes that they can repair the damage and match the patina. I'm in the process of trying to find a replacement used gutter. The gutter was an option and with not many 37 Airflow in survival, finding a replacement will be tough. Apparently the gutter is screwed in with screws and has a weatherstrip inserted to cover the screws. Of course, this weatherstrip is not reproduced. Plus I don't know what condition the screws and roof is in, so this may turn into a bigger project/repair.
Needless to say, I'm extremely anxious due to the uncertainty of how this will turn out and how long it may take to either find a replacement or have the existing gutter fixed. I dislike this agonizing feeling over a stupid move that I did.
WARNING!!! May contain some disturbing images. Viewer discretion advised!
Needless to say, I'm extremely anxious due to the uncertainty of how this will turn out and how long it may take to either find a replacement or have the existing gutter fixed. I dislike this agonizing feeling over a stupid move that I did.
WARNING!!! May contain some disturbing images. Viewer discretion advised!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 44
UGGG. I feel for ya son. by the way I have never ever, even back in the
day seen an Airflow in the flesh; Airstreams yes. none around here.
And trust me we all been through this. I give you confidence that, this
damage is better than if it was the entire roof. So after the shock is over
its time for an attack plan. (shame on me, I dont remember gutters on
mid thirtys Mopars and I had a share of those) what was it, some kind of
option ? My boy just bought a F2 same damage, maybe worse, we will
straighten with a machined die & mig to fill, and grind -more miggin and
grinding. No doubt gutters are tough to replace, I rather repair...
sam
edit; second look- boy it looks like aluminum from here
day seen an Airflow in the flesh; Airstreams yes. none around here.
And trust me we all been through this. I give you confidence that, this
damage is better than if it was the entire roof. So after the shock is over
its time for an attack plan. (shame on me, I dont remember gutters on
mid thirtys Mopars and I had a share of those) what was it, some kind of
option ? My boy just bought a F2 same damage, maybe worse, we will
straighten with a machined die & mig to fill, and grind -more miggin and
grinding. No doubt gutters are tough to replace, I rather repair...
sam
edit; second look- boy it looks like aluminum from here
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 6
From: Houston
We have all done bonehead moves before, mine was hooking up my trailer and driving until the 20' long chain that was through the wheel of it and around the bottom of a phone pole in my alley. I came to a sudden stop, bent and ruined the wheel, but at least I didn't pull the phone pole down 
Good luck on the repairs, it always feels so much better when it gets fixed!
Good luck on the repairs, it always feels so much better when it gets fixed!
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
OUCH!!
I feel for you. We've all done similar types of things. It happens
I think I'd get out some body tools and start working the metal back into shape. I think it can be fixed (but what do I know? I'm no bodyman). Its worth a shot at making the repairs. I think trying to replace the drip rail itself would open up too many unknowns and lead to spending thousands of dollars
Good luck
Bobby
I feel for you. We've all done similar types of things. It happens
I think I'd get out some body tools and start working the metal back into shape. I think it can be fixed (but what do I know? I'm no bodyman). Its worth a shot at making the repairs. I think trying to replace the drip rail itself would open up too many unknowns and lead to spending thousands of dollars
Good luck
Bobby
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
Don't get me started on the bone headed things I've done......I feel for you.
It can be fixed. Is it steel or aluminum?
Find a restoration shop with a good metal finish guy. If nothing else they can take a section out, duplicate it and weld it back in.
It can be fixed. Is it steel or aluminum?
Find a restoration shop with a good metal finish guy. If nothing else they can take a section out, duplicate it and weld it back in.
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Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
Likes: 403
From: W. Central FL.
I feel your pain. I think I would be inclined to attempt repair. Roll it back into form and cover with the roof rack mounts.
Almost as bad as some dumb azz driving the motorhome into the barn with the TV antenna raised. At least new parts were available for it.
Almost as bad as some dumb azz driving the motorhome into the barn with the TV antenna raised. At least new parts were available for it.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
I know exactly how you feel. I am feeling so frustrated got a socket jammed on my impact gun that has taken over an hour trying to get it off but failed . Before that it was a pitman arm jammed on the steering box the puller kept jumping over. These are such dumb mistakes i cant get past to get work done
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,688
Likes: 1,255
From: Jefferson City, MO
Ouch. Man that sucks. When I do things like that I get that sick to my stomach feeling for a minute. Get it fixed and wipe it from your memory...well except the reminder to remove the roof rack before you go into the garage.
I would agree with the others. Can it be repaired? This looks almost minor compared so some of the stuff guys on this forum have done. Let us know how it goes.
Just get the one Joe found for you to keep you running until you can get this problem fixed. Man that's a beauty. $57,500. Shoot, that only the price of a new Ford truck now a days.
I would agree with the others. Can it be repaired? This looks almost minor compared so some of the stuff guys on this forum have done. Let us know how it goes.
Just get the one Joe found for you to keep you running until you can get this problem fixed. Man that's a beauty. $57,500. Shoot, that only the price of a new Ford truck now a days.
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
When I started with the phone co years ago, I tried to drive the company 66 Econoline into a customers garage, I forgot I had a fully loaded ladder rack, EEEK Booooom!!!! I remember the feeling. That's such a drag, I hope the shop your thinking of taking it to can do the job, and have it covered by your insurance. Good luck.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
The irony in all of this is that I'm an auto damage appraiser for an insurance company and have done many estimates for similar type of accidents for people that drove into their garages with various items strapped to their roof (i.e., bicycles, kayaks, storage boxes, etc), but none were classic vehicles. Moreover, I was recently at the Jaguar restoration shop on an estimate for a customer (newer Jag) and was talking to them about my Airflow and how if it ever needed any body work, then I'd take it to them, but I was just joking. Now it's a reality.
OUCH!!
I feel for you. We've all done similar types of things. It happens
I think I'd get out some body tools and start working the metal back into shape. I think it can be fixed (but what do I know? I'm no bodyman). Its worth a shot at making the repairs. I think trying to replace the drip rail itself would open up too many unknowns and lead to spending thousands of dollars
Good luck
Bobby
I feel for you. We've all done similar types of things. It happens
I think I'd get out some body tools and start working the metal back into shape. I think it can be fixed (but what do I know? I'm no bodyman). Its worth a shot at making the repairs. I think trying to replace the drip rail itself would open up too many unknowns and lead to spending thousands of dollars
Good luck
Bobby
Below are the tools that I used. The handmade tool on the right end came in handy to straighten the other three mounting points in the gutter that weren't severely damaged. I attempted to repair the worst damaged area, but quickly gave up in order not to ruin it more. I figure this job is for a professional.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Kalamazoo MI
Don't feel too bad - even though I know you do. There was once a member on FTE that left his door open on his truck and backed into another member's garage at a certain Truckfest 2013. Sorry Rojak.... I still feel bad about doing that. We all do things like that. I always say - Mistakes will be made, it's how well you fix them that makes the difference.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Filed claim this morning. Now have to wait 24 hrs for claim to be set up and for an examiner to call me. I'll try to go to the shop this morning but not sure if I can before they close. Have to wait another 24 hrs in agony.