Valiant is no more, Drunk Driver totaled it.

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whitebomber63

whitebomber63

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Location
Long Beach, CA.
so long story short drunk driver hit a very sentimental car to me just sitting in my parents front yard. if you need certain parts let me know and ill get pictures and let you know of condition. my family owned this car since the 60s.

car is a 1963 valiant 2 door Signet 200 with 60k OG miles never rebuilt just repainted and reupholstered. this was gonna be the car I give to my son, it was my grandfathers work car from the 1960s this was the only car allowed right into Kaiser Steele Mill cause my grandfather was foremen, that location is now Fontana Speedway.

it is beyond repair but would be a great car if you got a car that needs tons of interior bits and bobs, from what i've seen the seats are wrecked also the rear seat and passenger might be salvageable. ill have more pictures tomorrow when i go see the damage for myself.

ASK FOR WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AND ILL GET PICTURES!
ill move this to parts forum once I figure out what i am doing with the entire car.

Car located in southern California Riverside county.

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Sorry to hear about this.
It sounds like the car was in great shape, and it will live on to put a few more cars on the road.
Are you going to get another car?
 
Dartnut said:
Sorry to hear about this.
It sounds like the car was in great shape, and it will live on to put a few more cars on the road.
Are you going to get another car?
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Was a kick *** looking car, hope the jerk that hit it had to pay out the *** for it !!
 
Dartnut said:
Sorry to hear about this.
It sounds like the car was in great shape, and it will live on to put a few more cars on the road.
Are you going to get another car?
Click to expand...
i have a 1972 Chevelle 2 door Malibu, but this was my only classic Mopar and the car that started my love for cars, I got more enjoyment out of driving the valiant then the Chevelle personally. things happen tho think i am just gonna take whatever i get out of my valiant and put it into my Chevelle to get it on the road again.
 
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famous bob said:
Was a kick *** looking car, hope the jerk that hit it had to pay out the *** for it !!
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trying to collect information on the worth of the car but its very hard to find comparable cars, usually the Valiants i've seen go up for sale in my area are very very far gone or need tons and tons of work... this was a surviving example of a stock car, it even had all the jack information still glued to the trunk.

if anyone has information or links of similar cars that have sold that would greatly help me out with fighting their insurance guys value, I know they are gonna try and low ball me like all insurance companies do out of the gate I've dealt with in the past.
 
Well that sux for sure. Hope you get a reasonable settlement out of it but can't replace sentimental value. Sorry.
As Dartnut said. It will help other cars live on.
 
whitebomber63 said:
trying to collect information on the worth of the car but its very hard to find comparable cars, usually the Valiants i've seen go up for sale in my area are very very far gone or need tons and tons of work... this was a surviving example of a stock car, it even had all the jack information still glued to the trunk.

if anyone has information or links of similar cars that have sold that would greatly help me out with fighting their insurance guys value, I know they are gonna try and low ball me like all insurance companies do out of the gate I've dealt with in the past.
Click to expand...
The term to use with the adjuster is "LKQ"
Like Kind and Quality.
As the damaged party you can INSIST they either repair the car to your standards ( they will try to "total" it ) or find you another replacement of Like Kind And quality.
I have seen worse repaired around here, some of the shops that build totaled cars are quite talented.
So, you need to make it clear form the get go you will not be lowballed and they need to pony up and pay or replace it with a like car in like condition.
Good luck.
 
If your '63 was currently licensed & insured, call your agent and ask for help in determining the value.
 
Wow, that sucks big time! Major bummer, of all the crap he coulda hit he chose your car, so sorry.

Here is a thought....how about getting another 1963 Valiant hardtop and changing over as many parts to it as you can? Atleast you will still have some of it. I only see the one picture with damage through the cover so it’s hard to tell how much is still good to use or the amount of damage....that might be a bunch of work but maybe would be nice to do? I hope you get compensated good for it, good luck bud.
 
Very sorry to see and hear about this... I hate when someone else wrecks your car...
 
Sorry to read, wrecked cars suck, but this one had a lot of sentimental value.
Like above was mentioned, come up with a price and stick to that price. It may take 3-4 offers before they get realistic. I've had to in the past.
Good luck.
 
Sorry for your loss. Make him pay for your car and turn him into your indentured servant for the next 5 years of his life.
 
motorpirate said:
The term to use with the adjuster is "LKQ"
Like Kind and Quality.
As the damaged party you can INSIST they either repair the car to your standards ( they will try to "total" it ) or find you another replacement of Like Kind And quality.
I have seen worse repaired around here, some of the shops that build totaled cars are quite talented.
So, you need to make it clear form the get go you will not be lowballed and they need to pony up and pay or replace it with a like car in like condition.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

thanks for the information ill remember that.

BobW said:
If your '63 was currently licensed & insured, call your agent and ask for help in determining the value.
Click to expand...

I have moved out of town and haven't driven it in the past 4-5years was just keeping it covered and running the engine from time to time, I was just driving around today seeing old cars thinking about getting it all registered and back on the road also weird coincidence.

66340SEDAN said:
Wow, that sucks big time! Major bummer, of all the crap he coulda hit he chose your car, so sorry.

Here is a thought....how about getting another 1963 Valiant hardtop and changing over as many parts to it as you can? Atleast you will still have some of it. I only see the one picture with damage through the cover so it’s hard to tell how much is still good to use or the amount of damage....that might be a bunch of work but maybe would be nice to do? I hope you get compensated good for it, good luck bud.
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yeah i was thinking about it maybe, we will see what happens with this insurance stuff i am not looking forward to.
its bad the entire window and hardtop on the drivers side is smashed in he hit it so hard it moved the car about 15 feet and almost into other cars we have, my sister sent me a video its really bad ill get some good pictures up soon.
 
Sorry to hear about the car. I think you are doing the right thing by preparing for dealing with insurance. Their goals are cheapest and easiest solution - no matter how long it takes. And of course with all their experience they have lots of tricks. Sending you a check (don't cash) which you never agreed with, would resolve the claim. Lots of run around

Stand strong you will have more satisfaction in the end
 
Can we see some uncovered detailed pictures? Lots of these guys on here have done some amazing things with body repairs.
 
There are publications such as The Old Car Prices guide that list recent values of nearly every vehicle ever produced, these are often used by appraisers to provide an accurate valuation.
Sorry to hear about your family heirloom, good luck with the insurance company.
 
Go to hagerty insurance and run the value deal they have. If the other car is insured, you may be up against the property damage limits pretty quickly especially if it is the minimum required coverage in CA.

Look online for cars all over the country for comparable values. The adjuster will pull the "it's an old car barely worth scrap value" type of stuff. They did that with a 66 Mustang my mother owned. They paid dearly for that one.

They also have to provide with a comparable value assessment to justify their basis for settlement in CA, IIRC. That may be difficult with the age of your vehicle.

It's up to you to do the homework to come up with a fair value of the car. Stick to your guns as well on whatever you come up with.
 
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