can she be saved

[cc]

Hi guys
Am buying this 2001 V6 monza low km for parts or a possible repair. The nose was damaged in an accident including deformation of the front of the engine/'chassis' rails. Assuming the front of the car is still all square.See pics. Was wondering what a panel beater  would quote to fix the rails.
cheers CC

[bazzbazz]

"Haven't you already got enough unfinished projects" I can hear your wife echoing . . . . .   

Seriously though, The damage as long as all damage is forward of the sub-frame/steering & suspension mounting area so there shouldn't be much issue getting it sorted. You'd be amazed at what panel beaters can achieve, it's all a matter of cost.

[Citroënbender]

That will be kinked behind the powertrain mounts, "easy"* fix on a rack if you have a donor front cut, there are designated splice points to choose from depending on severity of damage. Look at eLearn for the methodology. If it's like the 147 you don't need a V6 donor.

* Relatively easy in the sense of a modern built car with excellent factory tolerances and no apparent compounding of damage (ie, not T-boned or shunted as well).

[cc]

thanks guys. Now... to make more room in the garage : )

[cc]

Hi Guys
Can someone recommend a good panel beater for either Canberra, Sydney of the south coast of nsw. Someone with experience with recent Alfas especially the 156 would be ideal.
The car is on the south coast of nsw and as im originally from nsw, currently in Brisbane, I'd rather spend the $2200 to truck it to Brisbane, on local repairs and air fares.

[Citroënbender]

Why can't it be tacked together to drive north on a NSW UVP?

[bazzbazz]

Ahhhh, have you seen the angle of the front left wheel?

But it should only cost $400-600 to get it shipped to Brissy on a car carrier.

Just out of curiosity, HAVE you gotten your other 156 finished yet?   

[Citroënbender]

FWIW, Thatchams gave 32 hours for similar repairs to a Frenchie, if you added 10% and work d with used parts it's probably a $6K repair to fully pre-damage condition.

[poohbah]

ship it off to that Polish bloke who rebuilt the BMW...

[Citroënbender]

Lithuanian? 

[poohbah]

Ahh yes. My mistake. But he did look a bit like a plumber!

(No offence to any Polish members out there...)

[cc]

was hoping for a closer workshop than Poland .
Hi Baz the first 156 is in the home garage, have ordered parts from UK : )
The strategy for this posts car is either as a parts donor or to put back on the road.

As a parts donor, to strip and then scrap or
Take to a recommended repairer, have the panel beating done, supply or I put on replacement/missing nose componentry, then drive back to qld..
Its such a nice example I would prefer to do the 2nd.. probably should do the first..
Will hopefully speak to an alfa panel beater in the next fortnight.

[Citroënbender]

Poor bloke would need a proper holiday after the forum members had finished flogging him on all their projects. 

It doesn't need an Alfa specialist, just someone with a proper bench, traditional welding skills and Euro experience. You could do it "the Arthur way" by cutting it open, working the metal and closing the panels again, but it's easier in a country like this to make use of a good donor front cut. The driveline will need to come out, which is a good time to deal with the starter motor!

[Craig_m67]

"why are we doing this again"....... 

[Citroënbender]

..."Hey, Siri!" 

Making something once more usable and durable - it's a good antidote to the nihilistic wasteland of consumerism that's served up in appealing packages.