Where to get Wrecked '76 Eleganza Repaired? Remember, I hit a horse!

[tom winslow]

As a result of the information provided by the list, the horse owner's
insurance has decided to have our '76 Eleganza repaired and not totaled.

He will not pay to tow the Motorhome out of North Carolina. It looks like I
need to find a repair facility within a hundred miles or so of Statesville,
NC (intersection of I-77 and I-40).

Once more I come to the group asking for help.

Does anyone know of a facility in the above mentioned area that can repair
the damaged '76 Eleganza?
1. The nose cone has to be replaced.
2. The entire Motorhome has to be repainted and the decals replaced.
3. The steering, cooling, Power steering, bumper, etc has to be repaired or
replaced.
4. Both windshields are out.
5. The dash is damaged.
6. Maybe other stuff that I have not noticed.

Any suggestions as to where I can get the Motorhome repaired?

Tom Winslow

- --
Thomas P. Winslow
189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-157
E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
Web Page: http://www.iredell.com

 

[thomas g. warner]

Since there is not a good GMC repair facility that close to you I would opt
for a good tractor trailer repair facility. They are familiar with the
combination of fiberglass and aluminum that will have to be repaired and
painted, and are used to working with larger vehicles. Golbys has the best
front clip that I have seen (made from the original GM molds), and
manufactures new front end parts. I think Alex Sirum has the best wind
shields. If I were doing it I would talk with the repair facility and have
them make up the estimate for repair based on telephone discussions with a
good repair facility such as Cinnabar, Golbys, Buskirks, or Alex Sirum. I
would get a complete repair estimate to include:

1. Frame alignment to factory specs, make sure it has not been twisted or
bent all the way to the back.

2. 6 wheel alignment

3. If radiator has been damaged make sure that it is replaced with the
proper one since it has extra tubes and special soldering.

4. Front sway bar checked for damage and bushings.

5. Upper and lower A frames for bending or alignment problems. It is
possible to align the front end and still have misaligned A frames, that
will change the front end geometry when hitting bumps or ruts.

6. Engine mounts

7. bent Axels and damaged CV joints

8. Factory original paint, Dupont Emron.

9. Body attachment to the frame the length of the coach.

10. I would have the bumper repaired and replated. If you do make sure
that they give you a good quote to include complete repair, buffing, copper
plating, buffing, nickel plating-buffing, and finally chrome plating and
buffing. Replacement bolts should be stainless steel even though you may
have to pay the diference. If it is not done right it is a waste of money
and will start peeling in a short while.

11. New bumper cylinders.

12. hub caps get them from Alex Sirum

13. Need to have the hubs and rotors checked for bending depending on where
it was hit.

14. Water pump shaft and seals may be damaged.

Should have an agreement from the insurance co that any discovered damage
will be repaired as found.

Just some ideas.

>As a result of the information provided by the list, the horse owner's
>insurance has decided to have our '76 Eleganza repaired and not totaled.
>
>He will not pay to tow the Motorhome out of North Carolina. It looks like I
>need to find a repair facility within a hundred miles or so of Statesville,
>NC (intersection of I-77 and I-40).
>
>Once more I come to the group asking for help.
>
>Does anyone know of a facility in the above mentioned area that can repair
>the damaged '76 Eleganza?
>1. The nose cone has to be replaced.
>2. The entire Motorhome has to be repainted and the decals replaced.
>3. The steering, cooling, Power steering, bumper, etc has to be repaired or
>replaced.
>4. Both windshields are out.
>5. The dash is damaged.
>6. Maybe other stuff that I have not noticed.
>
>Any suggestions as to where I can get the Motorhome repaired?
>
>Tom Winslow
>
>--
>Thomas P. Winslow
>189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
>h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-157
>E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
>Web Page: http://www.iredell.com
>
>
>
>

 

[hdavis]

>
>As a result of the information provided by the list, the horse owner's
>insurance has decided to have our '76 Eleganza repaired and not totaled.
>
>He will not pay to tow the Motorhome out of North Carolina. It looks like I
>need to find a repair facility within a hundred miles or so of Statesville,
>NC (intersection of I-77 and I-40).

I don't know about the other facilites, but Wes Caughlin at Cinnabar told me
in the past that they will tow a vehicle up to 1000 miles to Sandusky as
long as you are having major work done there. If I recall his offer
correctly, the tow (on a trailer) can happen any time during a few week
window - that's how they can afford to do this I think. Cinnabar is
certainly qualified to repair your GMC. The good news is that you appear to
be less than 800 miles form their facility.

You might ask the other guys if they can offer a similar service.

Good luck,

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com