Restoration and Repair of the Front end Following the Wreck of "Calypso" a 69 Formula S 383 B7/B5 Fast Back

[1969383S]

Well The Tear down and Inspection/Discovery stage has started. After peeling back some layers I was able to access the two bolts that attach the hood latch mechanism and remove them to
get the hood open. Slowly progressing and taking tons of photos for insurance purposes. Down to the Core support on day one, Right Frame rail is definitely tweaked! Inner fender is distorted in the front and
bowed into the engine bay on the bottom spot welds failed. The mounting area for the bumper bracket is not flat as it should be and the rear lower side of the fender is pushing out and away from the body line with the door.
The Bumper was in strong tension as I started to remove the bolts. Once all the nuts were removed a well placed smack with the BFH did the trick to release the tension! I think the Left Grille Survived, maybe
a rechrome on the bezel. Still evaluating if anything other than the Parking light and bracket is salvageable on the right Grille. Both Eyebrows Survived! Fenders, Headlight Buckets all seem to be just fine, None of the
mounting bolts show signs of movement. Core support is slightly bowed in at the top and heavily at the bottom and lower sides. Oil pan is shoved back and Up into the crank case, Was able to bar the engine about a 1/2
turn before it locked. Tranny pan looks like it did not get hit and all seems good. My GlenRay Radiator took a hit from both sides, never saw any steam and no AF at wreck side or at my house. I will have it pressure checked
for sure. The impact pushed the hood back far enough on the right edge to impact the cowl yet relaxed back, WTF? All in all so far, I am more relieved than I was after the wreck and "Calypso" will prowl the streets once again!
Likely in a tamer appearance. The Link below is the Thread on the Wreck!

Did I get to "Greedy" Today? Did a double car show Saturday and the ending not so good!

 

[HemiSSDart]

You should not have removed all the parts before getting it on a frame rack. I did the exact same thing in 1979 on my 383 4-speed Dart GTS and was advised at that time to put it on a rack before removing anything! The frame was brought back to factory specs then the front parts were disassembled. I put the car back together and it was fine until I decided to restore the car in 1990 at that time I had the right frame rail and core support replaced. Yes they did have to replace the right inner fender, top core support, and the left core support upright in 1979, but the rest was good enough to keep the car intact and it drove straight. At this point get it on a frame rack ASAP before doing anything else...

 

[1969383S]

Bought 4 jack up wheel dollies to help move the car around as well before I mount the body wheels back on and drop the K/E/T assembly out the bottom.

 

[ProjectBazza]

Ouch! I'm following your original thread (and sorry to hear about this, BTW!), and looking at the damage to the frame (last photo above), I wonder if the k-member is okay. Obviously you'll be tearing everything apart and will check this, but I'm really curious as to how much damage, if any, it sustained.

Good luck with this, and has been said before: Thankfully no one was hurt, and all of this is just "stuff", when you think about it, and it can all be repaired.

 

[67/6barracuda]

Glad you’re ok. You and the car can be repaired slowly overtime.

 

[1969383S]

Ouch! I'm following your original thread (and sorry to hear about this, BTW!), and looking at the damage to the frame (last photo above), I wonder if the k-member is okay. Obviously you'll be tearing everything apart and will check this, but I'm really curious as to how much damage, if any, it sustained.

Good luck with this, and has been said before: Thankfully no one was hurt, and all of this is just "stuff", when you think about it, and it can all be repaired.

Me and my Wife as well. She keeps talking about how the driver side looks different to her for some reason.

 

[4spdragtop]

Sorry to read this, thanks for sharing. I will follow along. Let's hope insurance comes thru for you.

 

[autoxcuda]

My dad had a collision claim with Hagerty that ended up a total. Worse than your accident, car was parked.

They will send an adjuster out to your house. And the one we had was much more knowledgeable than any regular adjuster. We were very pleased with their service.

For the sake of insurance alone, I would not take anything apart until they looked at it.

 

[toolmanmike]

Bought 4 jack up wheel dollies to help move the car around as well before I mount the body wheels back on and drop the K/E/T assembly out the bottom.

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Good to see you're saving it. Damn, that just makes me sick.

 

[1969383S]

My dad has a collision claim with Hagerty that ended up a total. Worse than you accident, car was parked.

They will send an adjuster out to your house. And the one we had was much more knowledgeable than any regular adjuster. We were very pleased with their service.

For the sake of insurance alone, I would not take anything apart until they looked at it.

The Adjuster Assigned encouraged taking it to the step I have brought it to! Was asked to take pictures after each piece removed, which is what we have done. They are supposed to visit next week.

Thank you for you suggestions and concern.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Do you have a body shop that you trust? There is one in Macon that would more than do that car justice. Trooper's Collision Center. Two brothers own it. I went to school with them. I would say it's probably better than most anything south o Atlanta and maybe even Atlanta itself. It's a ride, but worth it if you don't know of a good shop. Also, keep in mind that you do not have to use the body shop of your insurance company's choosing. You can use any shop you want. Trooper's stopped being a Geico prefered shop years ago, because Geico wanted them to use inferior parts to save money and they will not.

 

[1969383S]

Good to see you're saving it. Damn, that just makes me sick.

Imagine!

This Car was lovingly restored from 2012 to 2014. Feted out through 2015/16. All while being driven and enjoyed with a hiccup or 2 along the way. All in All it has been very reliable and a joy to drive!
The car did drive straight as an arrow, one hand on the wheel at cruise with a string align in my garage 10 years ago! No pull either direction, Braking was nice and straight, no rattles at all! Just a joy to
cruise in once I swapped the 4.56 out for 3.55's! Hopefully I can get back to that and better with stock wheels and tires and a bit of makeover even closer to full stock than Calypso already was!

Then the sickness will dissipate!

 

[autoxcuda]

The Adjuster Assigned encouraged taking it to the step I have brought it to! Was asked to take pictures after each piece removed, which is what we have done. They are supposed to visit next week.

Thank you for you suggestions and concern.

If your already in snyc with Hagerty then all’s good.

Thanks for sharing this process. Shows the benefits of a specialty collector car insurance company.

 

[Bodyperson]

Do you have a body shop that you trust? There is one in Macon that would more than do that car justice. Trooper's Collision Center. Two brothers own it. I went to school with them. I would say it's probably better than most anything south o Atlanta and maybe even Atlanta itself. It's a ride, but worth it if you don't know of a good shop. Also, keep in mind that you do not have to use the body shop of your insurance company's choosing. You can use any shop you want. Trooper's stopped being a Geico prefered shop years ago, because Geico wanted them to use inferior parts to save money and they will not.

They should stop being a "preferred" shop period. That is what the body repair industry should do. I have to say though. Some aftermarket parts are better than OEM.

 

[QuickDart360]

Imagine!

This Car was lovingly restored from 2012 to 2014. Feted out through 2015/16. All while being driven and enjoyed with a hiccup or 2 along the way. All in All it has been very reliable and a joy to drive!
The car did drive straight as an arrow, one hand on the wheel at cruise with a string align in my garage 10 years ago! No pull either direction, Braking was nice and straight, no rattles at all! Just a joy to
cruise in once I swapped the 4.56 out for 3.55's! Hopefully I can get back to that and better with stock wheels and tires and a bit of makeover even closer to full stock than Calypso already was!

Then the sickness will dissipate!

I recall you have the 292 mopar cam in the engine. What drew my attention is that you went 3.55 gears. I used to run thst gear in my 360 with same 292. However, was advised to run 3.91's or higher. So 3.55's do well with this cam?

 

[1969383S]

Do you have a body shop that you trust? There is one in Macon that would more than do that car justice. Trooper's Collision Center. Two brothers own it. I went to school with them. I would say it's probably better than most anything south o Atlanta and maybe even Atlanta itself. It's a ride, but worth it if you don't know of a good shop. Also, keep in mind that you do not have to use the body shop of your insurance company's choosing. You can use any shop you want. Trooper's stopped being a Geico prefered shop years ago, because Geico wanted them to use inferior parts to save money and they will not.

I want to Bring it back to HODGE Restorations in Inman SC that did the original work. I have reached out to Le but not sure if the channel I used is correct? I have not got a response yet. Normally he takes
a month or so off prior to Carlisle so will give him some time to respond! His in house trained Painter and final body prep man Jeremy is setup at Elite Auto Body in Spartanburg SC. THey did all the original "Fantastic" work on the Body and paint. I also Checked on the AMD recommended shop in Cleveland Ga just up the street, and they seem to have closed shop but I have not confirmed yet!

Any ways, This is not my fortay and It will need to repaired by a specialist. Mechanical stuff is my strong suite! Thank you for the input Rusty and my Trailer can deliver as needed!

 

[Mtrhead]

That's what I'm running with my 292 / 509 cam.. 391 gear and I would have Lee Hodge out of Inman South Carolina repaint that car he's about 25-35 grand but he does 100 point work ... Hodges Dodges right outside of Spartanburg ...Super Meticulous painter...and my second choice would be J.E. Floyd's son out of Lake City SC...Top notch also

 

[1969383S]

I recall you have the 292 mopar cam in the engine. What drew my attention is that you went 3.55 gears. I used to run thst gear in my 360 with same 292. However, was advised to run 3.91's or higher. So 3.55's do well with this cam?

It still has a rather deep stall "loose" 9.5" convertor in it as well! Game changer with the 292!

 

[1969383S]

That's what I'm running with my 292 / 509 cam.. 391 gear and I would have Lee Hodge out of Inman South Carolina repaint that car he's about 25-35 grand but he does 100 point work ... Hodges Dodges right outside of Spartanburg ...Super Meticulous painter...and my second choice would be J.E. Floyd's son out of Lake City SC...Top notch also

Le did all my original work with new quarters, inner fenders, driver side door jamb, Trunk floor, some other metal repair here and there! The Painter he trained in his Shop, Jeremy went to Elite Customs in SpartanBurg.
My car was last one he painted before getting Married and disappearing for a while on an extended Honeymoon!
Le is one of the BEST out there! He was also nice enough to just do the body/paint work for me, while my wife and I did the rest at home and final assembly!

 

[340sFastback]

It is very good news the fenders are not damaged. They are very hard to find and prices are crazy if you can even find them at all. Chrylers at Carlisle is coming up in July. I was there two years back and saw numerous '69 grills, nose pieces, saw a '69 hood there too.

 

[1969383S]

It is very good news the fenders are not damaged. They are very hard to find and prices are crazy if you can even find them at all. Chrylers at Carlisle is coming up in July. I was there two years back and saw numerous '69 grills, nose pieces, saw a '69 hood there too.

Have a Line on the Header already, I do have extra grille parts and will have to get them out of the attic to review. Have not started searching for a hood yet. Not sure if I can make a quick run to
Carlisle or not, but may consider and just sleep in the dually over night! Thanks for the insight!

 

[340sFastback]

You prob already know a '73 - '76 Dart hood will fit but underside bracing looks different then a '69.

 

[like_A_pike]

Jeez I’m just now putting 2 & 2 together…. Sorry to hear about this!

Mopar A body complete front inner fenders, core support and suspension - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive...

good luck with this rebuild and glad you are ok!

 

[1969383S]

Sent all the tear down pics to my adjuster this morning and he decided he did not need to come review the car in person. It was about 250 Pictures +or -10!

Just waiting to hear from a few shops to get the car on a frame rack at this point. The advice from @HemiSSDart was well received!

 

[1969383S]

Picked upped a few pieces in Carlisle last week! Thanks Vendors you Know who you are!