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General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: josh on September 03, 2007, 08:46:44 AM

Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 03, 2007, 08:46:44 AM
Very very sad to inform all that my prized '57 met a lamp post last night. After a couple hours of testing and jet changes yesterday, got it just right, pulling crisp through all RPM's it was ready for the races today at western speedway. My father-in-law and I were just driving it from his place back to mine to pick up my jeep and drive the family home.
Without going into too much detail (as mentined before in other posts about the possibility of big brother reading :rolleyes:) my elephant sized 14 feet played a roll wedging between the brake and gas pedal and things very quickly got out of control.
Luckily no-one was too seriously hurt, poor Ross took the brunt of it, popped the windshield out with his mellon and somehow dislocated his shoulder. I'm just super thankful that we met the post and and not 5 feet to either side to hop the curb cause there were some pedestrians in the area and things could of been a whole hell of a lot worse.
I don't know the faith of my poor 50 year old rocket ship ICBC will probably want to write it off i'm assuming but we'll see.

I'm sure I don't need to say it, but I will anyway......To all that run these monsters on the street, be careful out there, it happened a hell of a lot faster than imaginable.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: bwaz on September 03, 2007, 08:51:32 AM
sorry to hear that Josh, glad everyone's ok!
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: surgerypending on September 03, 2007, 08:56:52 AM
Wow....sorry to hear that! Atleast you guys are ok!
Take care!
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: James Buchan on September 03, 2007, 09:16:43 AM
WTF - that sucks man, glad your OK!
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Russ on September 03, 2007, 09:17:06 AM
sorry to hear that.especially after all the hard work.
most important is that you are both ok for the most part
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Hansk on September 03, 2007, 09:27:52 AM
OH NO!  Very sorry to hear that. Glad there was no serious injuries.  Don't let icbc write it off.  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: surgerypending on September 03, 2007, 09:29:39 AM
Ya...just about anything can be fixed!
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: slammedbus on September 03, 2007, 09:29:50 AM
Glad you are all ok and alive. TOTALLY sux about the car dood,  :(  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: steveo_32 on September 03, 2007, 09:32:02 AM
Glad to hear your okay!! Dude if you need any help at all feel free to ask me, I offer anything you need! (there are execptions of course   :P )
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: VW 144th on September 03, 2007, 09:32:07 AM
Dude i saw that car at mission it looked exceptional. Sorry for your loss,glad to here your O.K.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 03, 2007, 09:40:54 AM
Thanks boys, I really couldn't get a good look at the damage, the fuel line sprung a bit of a leak and the firemen were all over me. The thing that scares me most is the front end got pushed in enough to twist the dash to the left of the speedo. no pics yet, I don't think the holding yard will let me in on a stat.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: egspot on September 03, 2007, 09:44:27 AM


WOW,  #$%&&^

I am glad you and your father in law are not too banged up. The car can always be replaced.

I am sending you a pm.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Darren Dilley on September 03, 2007, 09:59:47 AM
Sorry to hear , glad you two will be ok...  maybe you can make the car into a full time race car  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: KOOL-AID MAN on September 03, 2007, 10:30:37 AM
wow,  what a loss :( Im glad you guys are okay tho, Its always sad to hear about a beetle getting smucked up esspecially a nice clean one like yours. Good luck with everything!

Tom
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: silas on September 03, 2007, 12:58:12 PM
glad you & your pops in law are ok josh. take care and heal well.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: flat4 on September 03, 2007, 01:10:08 PM
No good brother.  Glad no one was hurt too badly.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: red snapper on September 03, 2007, 01:13:27 PM
Josh, Im sorry to hear about you and the car. I have seen you put alot of work into it since you got it. Most importantly your O.K.
Im sure Im not alone when I say, if you need any help, just ask. Good luck.
 
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Trevor P on September 03, 2007, 02:31:49 PM
Never good to hear things like this. :(  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: billybob57 on September 03, 2007, 03:28:41 PM
Sorry to hear about your beetle :(     Glad you ok!
But you have to fix it and get it back on the road its 50 this year, so geter dunn... :rockon:  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Jeremy on September 03, 2007, 03:35:37 PM
Terrible. Glad to hear your going to be ok. Too bad about the car. You were just getting her going too.  :(  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: OUTKAST on September 03, 2007, 04:45:38 PM
Take er easy Sorry about the car  :( Glad you are OK  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Greg on September 03, 2007, 06:59:16 PM
OMG, thats horrible!
Glad to hear you and ross are ok though!
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 03, 2007, 07:20:52 PM
yeah this whole thing licks ball, all in all, I probably had a total of mabey 1 1/2 hrs actually driving the car..............I don't even want to think about the hours into it.

I've driven some pretty fast cars in the past, 4-500hp v8's etc but this thing was a hand full.

The old man is doing good, i'm over for a visit right now. he's a tough old bugger

I think i'm still in shock :(  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Matt on September 03, 2007, 07:23:47 PM
Thats the shits Josh. Hope you and Ross recover soon and well!!  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Greg on September 03, 2007, 07:28:44 PM
Tell him he better be at work tommorow, I have a few jokes about using his head :P
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Lanny on September 03, 2007, 07:48:01 PM
Trust me, I found out the hard way how big HP can get you into trouble. Sorry to hear about the accident..As you are not the lazy type, I'm sure the car will be back ASAP better than ever.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 03, 2007, 08:55:22 PM
I don't think you'll see him for a couple days greg, pretty tough to work with one wing.

no i'm not really the lazy type but this kinda thing sorta takes the wind outta your sails, kinda like a kick in the gonads

quite the wake up call though, especially with my little girl in my life now, really could have been a lot worse.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Greg on September 03, 2007, 09:07:29 PM
OH NO!!! I didnt realize he disloacated his arm
Well yeah, he better take a bunch of days off work then, wouldnt want to see him get hurt any more!

5 point harness for the next bug?
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Mowser on September 03, 2007, 09:12:03 PM
Sounds like putting on the steel hood may have been a good thing after all.  I would imagine it would provide a bit more impact dispersion than the carbon fiber one.  The important thing is that everyone will be okay.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Mike Scott on September 03, 2007, 09:26:06 PM
Sorry to hear about that Josh, glad you and Ross are OK.  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 08:27:09 AM
Quote
OH NO!!! I didnt realize he disloacated his arm
Well yeah, he better take a bunch of days off work then, wouldnt want to see him get hurt any more!

5 point harness for the next bug?
The drivers side had the 5 point belts, I just had the lap part on. Stupid thing is I bought a used but new matching simpson camlock set for the pass side and the guy sent it UPS and when it showed up on friday they wanted an extra $65 in customs/taxes so I turned them away to dispute the fees. In hindsight I wish I just bucked up and installed it. weather or not ross would of been wearing it is anouther story.
We were joking that with him flying across the front of me, he acted like my airbag..........or rossbag :lol:  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 01:51:35 PM
So we went to look at the car today, and I dunno, she pretty hurt.............


first ones a little blurry but I think you get the picture so to speak

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FDSCF2847.jpg&hash=31513821bbcb64ac0d4620299c7b0fe22c3b1990)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FDSCF2858-1.jpg&hash=f6803aa504f647f2c35d856d0652654524ca0e16)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FDSCF2857.jpg&hash=2d89ef7fd69c50612dec8d814de75bf7b3a79006)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FDSCF2860.jpg&hash=ab51a05ff9af3e56f3f5b58961ced6b81a0ee83b)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FDSCF2863.jpg&hash=2f57ec6465367e86730933de6f5ad167bcfc549a)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FDSCF2846.jpg&hash=88b09d02f0547a51a63ae115416b35ccda7f0520)
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Matt on September 04, 2007, 02:10:02 PM
ouch.

 
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Russ on September 04, 2007, 02:25:24 PM
no kidding.
like gerry said anything can be fixed but at what price??
you would be better starting over and transfering the running gear over.
anything i can do to help let me know
 
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 02:39:53 PM
I personally don't think I want it fixed, it will never be the same ]:( That's a hard conclusion to make but to do it the \"approved\" icbc shop (using that term loosely) would have to find a clean, rust free front end, including dash, hack it at the windshield and graft it on properly.
So in the near future I will be on the look out for a new shell......keep your eyes open for me
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: CHEECH on September 04, 2007, 03:02:29 PM
WOW... MAn sorry to see that....... found this though

http://vancouver.craigslist.org/car/410188155.html (http://vancouver.craigslist.org/car/410188155.html)


Dont know if this is your cup of tea.....
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: vanBoven on September 04, 2007, 03:26:55 PM
was there any pan head damage
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Jeremy on September 04, 2007, 04:06:30 PM
Ouch. :o I think it's had its day. What a shame. The first few pics look fixable but the pic of the dash all tweaked pretty much ends that discussion. Geez I hope your father in law didn't cause that damage when he hit the dash. A dislocated shoulder sucks but it looks like it could have been worse. Shitty luck Josh. That's your old '63? and your '57 both wrecked within a month of each other.  :(  

Jeremy  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 04:15:27 PM
yeah not really into the chop idea, thanks tho

with the beam twisted like a pretzel, i'd say pan head is pushed in to some extent, the suspension geometry would never be the same if you tried to pull it straight.

my right knee is getting sore so i'm kinda wondering if that hit under the radio block off plate and gauges.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 04:18:02 PM
yeah not really into the chop idea, thanks tho

with the beam twisted like a pretzel, i'd say pan head is pushed in to some extent, the suspension geometry would never be the same if you tried to pull it straight.

my right knee is getting sore so i'm kinda wondering if that hit under the radio block off plate and gauges.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: surgerypending on September 04, 2007, 06:10:52 PM
If it were me....i'd get the car and some $$$$ from icbc. Buy a pan and beam...find a good front clip for it...cut it at the A-pillar and heater channels and put it back together...easy job.....right Lanny?
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Darren Dilley on September 04, 2007, 06:57:16 PM
thats is right, it was a easy job for Berry. to to put the Old 67 back together  :D  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: red snapper on September 04, 2007, 07:07:31 PM
Ouch dude. If your wanting a real race car let me know, I have a project car that Im sorta-kinda contemplating on putting up for sale. Either way, good luck to ya.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 07:09:03 PM
trouble is finding a clean clip.

why do I feel like i'm missing a story about a certain '67 :huh:  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 07:11:16 PM
Quote
Ouch dude. If your wanting a real race car let me know, I have a project car that Im sorta-kinda contemplating on putting up for sale. Either way, good luck to ya.
I'm not really in the market for a real race car, I just need to build a throttle stop governer for the street car :rolleyes:  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: neil68 on September 04, 2007, 07:20:56 PM
Josh,

I'm sorry to hear about this accident!

I don't know if you would remember me at all, as we only met briefly at the DVKK Strip Show at Mission (I loaned you some sockets/extensions while you were trouble-shooting some IDA issues).

Anyway, I hope you can find a way to get back in action for next season!!

Neil (Calgary).
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: surgerypending on September 04, 2007, 07:49:20 PM
Not so hard to find a good clip
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/det...l.php?id=443698 (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=443698)
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Lanny on September 04, 2007, 08:01:32 PM
Quote
trouble is finding a clean clip.

why do I feel like i'm missing a story about a certain '67 :huh:
Unfortunately your hit appears to be quite a bit worse than mine. I made one car out of two, not that big a deal. :lol: PM me for the scoop..
IMHO, I'd get the car back and start making a plan.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 08:07:36 PM
I do remember you neil, thanks again.

I saw that one today gerry, but isn' a 55's gas tank opening a different size?

the plan is to get it back ASAP and go from there.

 
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: surgerypending on September 04, 2007, 08:28:54 PM
I believe the tank is a different size....maybe the guy still has the tank...no big deal. I have an extremely solid rust free 58 that I could sell but personally I think you need to put this car back on the road. Finding  clip wouldn't be that hard....trust me....it will be worth it in the end.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Shane on September 04, 2007, 08:42:18 PM
Josh, I just read this.. mna that sucks, I would not fix that car either. Try and get jeff's other car..
Glad your ok.. I must say I had the Hulk balls to the walls and that could have easily happened to me  ;)  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Bruce on September 04, 2007, 08:48:03 PM
The tank hole is the same from 194?-1960.  Any oval clip will fit perfectly.  However, I think finding the perfect clip will be difficult.  That red one on the Samba is rotten.  Finding a complete rust free shell may be easier.  

Anybody remember that late 2 fold Euro oval at the vintage meet last Jul?  I believe it was right around $3k.

Josh, get that car home.  There is no need for you to pay to store it at a towing yard.  
Note to everyone, if you wreck your car, tell the tow truck to take YOUR car to YOUR house.  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 10:00:43 PM
Quote
Josh, I just read this.. mna that sucks, I would not fix that car either. Try and get jeff's other car..
Glad your ok.. I must say I had the Hulk balls to the walls and that could have easily happened to me  ;)
yeah that would be the same as amish hitting me up (prior to this of course) trying to buy my car after the '63, Jeff would probably tell me to pound sand....well mabey not cause he's cool but you get the idea.

I'm sure lots of guys have near miss stories lurking, the reality is once you get past a certain point there's no turning back, damb it happened fast.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: AlanU on September 04, 2007, 10:02:58 PM
Sorry josh,

When I read this post initially I was sick to my stomach and didn't reply.

Man.... sorry to hear such a bad thing happening.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 10:03:47 PM
you were sick to your stomach, i'm still churnin'.... life will go on

Quote
The tank hole is the same from 194?-1960.  Any oval clip will fit perfectly.  However, I think finding the perfect clip will be difficult.  That red one on the Samba is rotten.  Finding a complete rust free shell may be easier. 

Anybody remember that late 2 fold Euro oval at the vintage meet last Jul?  I believe it was right around $3k.

Josh, get that car home.  There is no need for you to pay to store it at a towing yard. 
Note to everyone, if you wreck your car, tell the tow truck to take YOUR car to YOUR house.
that's good to know about the years for the clip bruce.

I'd like more info on the 2 fold euro, semi's would be cool
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: silas on September 04, 2007, 10:41:50 PM
Quote
my right knee is getting sore so i'm kinda wondering if that hit under the radio block off plate and gauges.
that's the first thing i thought of when i saw the pics. knee on dash & with an impact like that.....

i'm sure you've been to & from the hospital allready and have had the tests & ex-rays & whatnot.....but if for some reason you havent...please go get yourself throroughly checked out so you know the status of your injuries.

good health & a full recovery is more important than anything else right now.

i'm not trying to preach....i'm just more concerned for your well being than your car right now.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 04, 2007, 10:45:30 PM
no doubt, thanks man

did the ER thing that night, just to cover my ass.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Cameron on September 05, 2007, 10:18:59 AM
Ouch!

Josh, you have my condolences. Thank goodness that you, and your passenger are okay.

It's accidents like yours, that make me think I should leave in my 5k rev limiter.  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: beetleboy on September 05, 2007, 01:17:12 PM
gah wtf???  sorry to hear josh. Glad you guys are ok.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 05, 2007, 02:09:16 PM
thanks,


Managed to sweet talk ICBC into towing the car back home so it can be locked up and dry. My nerves are a little better now, I was stressin' about rain damage to motor and electronics inside let alone parts growing legs and walking off.

Got the hood pryed open to take a closer look...............she's hurt bad


(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FIMG_1560.jpg&hash=d8fd7f0a2eae43c3584044d108cb36c07e263e60)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FIMG_1562.jpg&hash=589b4b692a62ea1e99649d87276013fce583fc77)

figured out where the fuel leaked from, my reseve stash of 94 octane. it's pinned in there good. I tried to pop the tank out to look at the pan head, but it's trapped between twisted sheet metal.

The more I look at it the luckier I feel
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: Jeremy on September 05, 2007, 02:31:00 PM
:unsure: Josh, i doubt you were looking at the speedo but how fast do you figure you were going before shit went bad?  :blink:  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: G-dog on September 05, 2007, 03:11:17 PM
Holy Sh!t!!Glad your not doing too bad!Sucks to see damage like that
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: silas on September 05, 2007, 08:30:47 PM
Quote
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FIMG_1560.jpg&hash=d8fd7f0a2eae43c3584044d108cb36c07e263e60)
figured out where the fuel leaked from, my reseve stash of 94 octane. it's pinned in there good. I tried to pop the tank out to look at the pan head, but it's trapped between twisted sheet metal.

The more I look at it the luckier I feel
:o  you are one lucky guy!

note to all drivers.....please dont stash jerry cans full of gas in the front crumple zone of your car. imho, the potential for disaster is too great.
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: jim martin on September 05, 2007, 09:22:21 PM
glad to here both of you are  ok. cars can be replaced,people can't.
now that i've looked at all the photos and being one to have taken on a few body mods in my time ,the damage on the car is too much to even think of reparing,strip out everthing that is not bent and take your time looking for something to put it in.

 
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: josh on September 05, 2007, 10:18:13 PM
Quote
Quote
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp201%2Fjoshbuchan%2FIMG_1560.jpg&hash=d8fd7f0a2eae43c3584044d108cb36c07e263e60)
figured out where the fuel leaked from, my reseve stash of 94 octane. it's pinned in there good. I tried to pop the tank out to look at the pan head, but it's trapped between twisted sheet metal.

The more I look at it the luckier I feel
:o  you are one lucky guy!

note to all drivers.....please dont stash jerry cans full of gas in the front crumple zone of your car. imho, the potential for disaster is too great.
good call man, it seemed like a good idea at the time as I don't have a gas gauge or reserve lever.... lesson to all

If I had to guess the speed, a stab in the dark would be 40km 'ish, just hit second allthough it looks like 80+ by the damage..... goes to show it doesn't take much. A buddy and I were talking tonight about what kinda damage would have occured if it were a 50's muscle car, probably just a fender bender :rolleyes:  :rolleyes:  
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: AirCooledRules on September 06, 2007, 07:48:35 PM
you would be surprized, a muscle cars crunches like an accordian, having no aprons or substructure to the body, just a complete bolt together front clip, it would fold.

Now if you were driving a 60s-70s mercedes or volvo then you would probably still be driving =).

 
Title: Anouther One Bites The Dust
Post by: markm on September 26, 2007, 05:05:35 PM
Damn!  That '57 was always one of my favorite cars.  Really sorry to see it that way.  Good thing everyone is ok.