F-Body Europe

Hi folks,
last weekend I overrated my driving skills in the wet, ending up sliding along a guardrail.
Now the right hand side front fender, the mirror and the rear fender need to be replaced.

Actually I had big luck, as the wheels, suspension, hoods, bumpers and lamps are not damaged at all.

But what a shock when I saw spare part prices:
Front fender 463EUR
Mirror 425EUR
Rear fender 1029EUR

THESE ARE FERRARI PRICES!!! Especially the simple sheet metal rear fender is far too expensive.
The Fbody is a budget sports car with premium spare part prices. Is GM making its turnover on spare parts only?? I thought in US the Fbody is aimed at young buyers, so why are spare parts so horribly expensive? What would be the price in US?

So, above this was the offer by the GM dealer.
Is there any other way to get the parts (considerably) cheaper? Let us say 30% less.
I also would not mind to use second hand parts, as they have to be painted anyway.

I checked 27 pages on Ebay, (Section: parts for US cars) but a GM V8 string tanga was the closest thing to the parts I need!

This question is to the GIs: Is there an Fbody scrapyard around Spangdahlem??

The repair is not so urgent as the car will be hardly moved over the winter time.
If somebody could get these parts from US (maybe with the help of the US forces),
I would also pay in advance.

Hope for constructive help!
Gunnar, 99 Red Z28 T-Top

The rear 1/4 panel can be punched out depending on the damage. Front will need replacing. Try the fbody salvage yard based in alabama. Can't remember the site address but if you do a search it'll show up.

I did the exact same thing 4 mos back at the Ring so I know what you are going through good luck and if you don't find it the site post here. Another option ins cz28.com in the for sale section guys part their cars out on a regular there too.

If I ever need parts, I will go here!

http://www.lambertsalvage.com/

Hallo John,
Mr Berger, the boss of the body repair shop in town also suggested to hammer the rear fender back into position.
He has been doing this job for 40 years and is confident to make it right. He has done all types of cars also US types.

Are you pleased with the result on your car?
I do not want to save 500 EUR only to get annoyed every day by looking at a wavy, uneven fender!

Hi Jack!
The link to lambertsalvage does not work!
But I found some other Fbody salvage yards in US,
eg Billy Grahams Fbody salvage yard (well this link was dead too!)
I am sure I will find plenty of them in US and none in Europe.

Cheers,
Gunnar

Sad, but true ... chances of finding F-Body parts in Germany (especially 4th gen) are pretty slim ...

There is that one in Sweden, but I don't remember the link. It is on here somewhere. Billy Graham's is actually the one I was thinking of. They have good prices.

That's right, a couple of folks wanted to go up there some time, probably next year after the Big Meet ...

Sigi is parting out a 4th Gen. 09331-89070. Can't remember the year.

Yeah I do remember that having DS damage. The PS door is upstairs, and I think that the PS rear quarter panel has been cut off for someone else... but the last time I was there the guy didn't pick it up or want it or something. I think it is like a 96 or 97 though. Did that much change between the years?

Rob

Rob, your red is bad to read for my old eyes, can you pick yellow please?

Sweden: http://www.bildelarosby.se/main.htm

There is a large warehouse for used parts (also us car parts) in the Landstuhl/Miesau area, got to check on the address

The US scrapyards in Baumholder and Ramstein I have not seen any
4th gen fbodies lately.

Gunnar sorry for not responding sooner. To answer you question I'm very pleased w/ the end result. Actually you wouldn't know unless I told you.

Ok I will change it. It looks alot better on the computer at home. I am at work now and it is a bit hard to see. Maybe I am just getting old. I'll just leave it with white I guess.
Rob

...my daughter asked if you got time to come over and play.
She likes your style.

I could only find one late F-body in the salvage ads over here in the Uk and as you might guess, the front right hand wing is wiped out as is most of the right side. I guess they all go the same way. Hope you get it fixed.

Doesn't the insurance pay for this anyway? Mine sure as hell did.

Hi folks, I think I will let them punch out the sidepanel.
Insurance? Haha! I thought I could save the money for
fully comprehensive insurance, because I am such a
sensible driver...
I am waiting for response for my inquiry to Sigis Garage
for a new mirror.
BTW How to dissamble the mirror glass without braking?
I have dissambled the right hand side mirror, I want to
keep the glass. Only the plastic housing is broken (Euro
Model). Is it just pry out of the ball joint?
Do the adjustment motors need to be detached?

Cheers!
Gunnar

PS: The swedish salvage yard I will contact later. But I found out that
the side panel is identical for 93-2002 models.

I could have told you that. Man, you are brave. You always have to be weary of the other guy, no matter how good a driver you may think you are.

You mean to tell us you have a car worth (presumably) around 15-20grand WITHOUT full insurance coverage? Sorry to say, but that's not brave, but kind of stupid ... let me guess - your insurance ain't down too far, or? My 98 'vert runs me ~350€ insurance for 8 months, full coverage ... I hardly drive it, could probably say that every ride I take costs about 30-50€ insurance (and another 15-25€ taxes) --- still wouldn't want to go without! (well, could do without the taxes ...)

You may be sensible but a Camaro trying to shove over 300 bhp through some thin steel rods with wheels on the end is always going to be a risky business and lord knows, the car has no choice but to give in to the laws of physics.

hm... I am stupid too, then. I never paid full coverage. Always had liability only. After buying the car I could not afford insurance, and since I had to go without the help of my parents buying a Ralley-Sports-Car when I was 18 the Insurance company made me pay 175% liability out of my pocket when I was still in apprenticeship contract... making about 900 Deutsch Marks (450€/$) a month, paid about 2400 Marks liability a year, modded the hell out of that Ford, (a friend won a few trophies with it ), and the gas was very high (2,40 marks!) then. Can you imagine what I would have paid for full coverage?
That car got eaten up by a truck changing the lane and ripped it apart from the rear bumper, rear fender, door, front fender, front bumper and squeezed the right tires towards the sidewalk, just missing my left arm and leg for about an inch.
Hm, the money I got out of this bought me the first brandnew Toyota then. (The parts worth on the wrecked car was twice as much, but the trucks insurance was picky because it did not belong on the streets, they said) And I still did not have money for the full cover insurance of my new car...