Classic Cars and Cell Phones Don't Mix Well

[Dako]

I'll text while in my vehicle, but it's stopped. I still have great peripheral vision so knowing when the light turns green isn't hard at all. And many years ago, I rear ended a Toyota Corolla that pulled out of a parking lot into the inside lane and didn't attempt to speed up. It pushed the whole back end down a good inch or so and jammed his doors (2dr Toy) and well, the cop didn't believe the 67 Dart hit the Toy since there was very little damage to it. It went to court....I won when he said "When I pulled out in front of him.........." he meant to say that I was way back when he pulled out but he also was supposed to pull into the right lane and not the inside lane.....and I wasn't way back. One of 3 witnesses showed up but he called me by my first name....usually not good. And I do what I can when I see people driving while texting. Loud exhaust, horn, whatever. Morons.

Sorry to disagree, but every person on their phone at a stoplight is what's contributing to traffic congestion. Light turns green, first driver momentarily delays... second driver delays even longer, and so on. Get five to ten vehicles back and your not moving until the light has been green for 10 to 20 seconds. On a commute with 20 to 30 lights in 15 to 20 miles and the phone addicts are adding minutes to the commute...but their oblivious due to their phones! Don't believe me?..put your phone down and time it yourself. Nothing on that gadget that can't wait 'till you're at your destination!

 

[Charlie Brown]

Be aware that there are 3 styles of the separate lens bezels. The ones used on the big base plates are flat. However, the outside ones that bolt directly to the body on lower priced series Dodges will have a slight left or right curvature to match the rear fender form.

Thanks Dave. I was aware of the differences and it can be somewhat tricky to get this right. I'd be looking to get the "flat" ones since I have the big base plate.

 

[440 4 speed]

My suggestion.
When you get the approval, take it to a shop you trust.
Offer to find your needed parts. Have the body shop pay.
I checked my taillights. Found out that our Granddaughter has the driver’s side on the drag car. Passenger side is driver quality, broken lenses. I was unable to get the housing off the shelf to get good pictures.
Sorry.

 

[440 4 speed]

State Farm Insurance experience.
1991 my wife and I decided to take a sightseeing trip south in her very low mileage 85 Supra stick car with sun roof. She bought it from her brother in 1987.
First day we got to Malta Montana, stopped for supper. Asked about the highway to Billings. Waitress said lots of deer, was she ever right. Got to Billings.
Next day we were driving down a street looking for a car wash. Looked in a mirror saw very nice black 80’s Mustang following way back. Saw a car wash on the right, slowed down and signalled had the wheels turned, then we were slammed into the lot.
What do you do in a foreign country. Guy called the police. Told the officer that he didn’t think I had the signal light on. Officer responded (You did hit the back of their car).
Report was written up, addresses exchanged etc. Fortunately the Supra had buckled slightly at Toyota’s planned point in the rear quarter.Taillights were fine, and car was drivable. Carried on and had a good trip
Farm State contacted us when we arrived home. Told us to get it repaired. Asked about injuries. I said I had a pinched nerve in my left elbow that bothered for me for a while. My wife had a slight headache for a day. After the car was repaired, State Farm sent a release form, after that they sent me a check for about 1500.00 and my wife I think they called it a minimum check for about 800.00.
We were very impressed.

 

[Budnicks]

As we all type away on our phones. ...

nope,
I use only my PC at my office desk, exclusively on the forums....
It's the only social media I even do...

When I'm driving I don't even turn on my phone
unless I want to call someone, & I will pullover to stop & talk
'always', that's extremely rare even...

As you can tell I'm not a fan of cellphones, no matter the make or style

if it's important, then they can leave a message
I'll get back when not distracted, by a damn phone, while doing something else

It's how I was raised & how my kids were taught

my sisters didn't let that sink in, they were too old to listen or something
all their kids do the same crap they do, can't put the damn things down
'addicted'

 

[dadsbee]

JHC folks... it was in jest! You think I use my phone while driving? Only option I have all Summer is phone and data from a cell signal. Thinking next Summer I'll just turn it off..

 

[Budnicks]

JHC folks... it was in jest! You think I use my phone while driving? Only option I have all Summer is phone and data from a cell signal. Thinking next Summer I'll just turn it off..

 

[Charlie Brown]

My suggestion.
When you get the approval, take it to a shop you trust.
Offer to find your needed parts. Have the body shop pay.
I checked my taillights. Found out that our Granddaughter has the driver’s side on the drag car. Passenger side is driver quality, broken lenses. I was unable to get the housing off the shelf to get good pictures.
Sorry.

Appreciate the effort. Thanks.

 

[440 4 speed]

JHC folks... it was in jest! You think I use my phone while driving? Only option I have all Summer is phone and data from a cell signal. Thinking next Summer I'll just turn it off..

Great idea. Before cell phones and answering machines, call display, people would walk out of the house and not have a clue if someone called. Believe it or not, we lived! I am fortunate to be married to one person. I am NOT married to the phone. Even though I carry it with me when I am alone doing things at the acreage. It is on then.

 

[dadsbee]

Met with the appraiser yesterday. Meeting went well. He has 31 years experience and has dealt with classic cars a lot.

Hope they didn't send you Ted....

 

[Charlie Brown]

Hope they didn't send you Ted....

It was Kevin actually....

 

[Charlie Brown]

UPDATE - My car will be ready for pickup next week at the body shop - old school guy who works from his home. A couple of pics - Before -

During -

After -

My insurance company, through Hagerty, will deal directly with the body guy. In regards to sourcing the trim, replating, bumper straighting, clips, removal of trim and some interior panels etc., I will send invoices to the insurance directly for compensation. I will be puting in a claim for my time, which is already at around 50 hours.
I was able to source all the related trim parts - some NOS and some used. The hardest items to source were the two tail light bezels. Lots of heavily pitted ones, but very few nice ones. A very long search for these. I then came upon an obscure FaceBook ad for unrelated parts I needed and bingo - I hit the jackpot, and only 2 hours away from where I live -

Anxious to see my car in person. I especially want to see how the entire rear quarter turned out as well as the color match. Stay tuned.

 

[chrger1967]

Baby Blue spent 15 years in the DC suburbs. I had a guy at a car show ask me how did a car from that area survive? The answer was with a new passenger door and quarter panel, new trunk lid, new trunk finish panel, and new grille. Timing was great, as the original parts had just started to deteriorate. When Bob Miller sold me the GTX in 1983, he was relieved to see it go to rural PA. When we got it back in 2013, it had ended up in rural Tennessee. That car was built under a lucky star. Bob just came to his senses, and moved to rural Delaware.

Let me tell ya, I lived in Brooklyn N.Y and my daily driver was a 70 Charger. I had a hit and run once and had to get the 1/4 panel repaired. That really sucked, but that's the price we pay sometimes driver these beauties.

 

[dadsbee]

Nice and I hope that AVIVA / Elite actually covers the full costs, as they sure F'd me after promising to pay my labour and all parts purchased.

 

[chrger1967]

Distracred driving - this is the result. After 5 years of getting my car the way I wanted it, this is what happens when the other driver is on their cell phone and isn't paying attention. I was stopped to turn left and this guy plows into me. Ask me how I feel. Anyhow, no one was hurt. Now I get to start all over getting my car back to the way it was - and as most of you know, that's going to take a lot of leg work, which by the way, the insurance company (Hagerty) is not likely to compenstate me for MY TIME involved.
This is my small rant for today. I feel better already.
I'll be posting in the "Wanted" section for some parts (especially tail light bezels).View attachment 1919065View attachment 1919066

That really sucks. Thankfully you had the right insurance. The other party's ins would probably only give you what the value they think the car is worth. Please send us pictures when your car is fixed and back on the road. Is that a 500 with buckets and a console?

 

[chrger1967]

Man, that just sucks!!! I hate those damn cell phones with a passion, as they are not worth it when it comes to driving these days. Even with the interfacing now through a sync up for hands-free driving being available in almost every vehicle these days. Yes, I do own one, have it for emergencies and when traveling, and for directions if needed, but when I see just about everyone else driving with a phone grafted to their ear or holding the phone and texting with one hand, I have to ask WHY??? If you have to be so caught up to constantly be on them, then pull over and be safe about it. As my brother, 69a100, would always say when driving and seeing others on their phones..."FOOKING HANG UP AND DRIVE!!!" Guess ya just cannot fix "STUPID"...cr8crshr/Bill

I drove a tractor trailer in the Tri State area. I've seen other truckers watching movies as they drive. I don't need to tell you there ate allot of stupid drivers out there.

 

[chrger1967]

I'll text while in my vehicle, but it's stopped. I still have great peripheral vision so knowing when the light turns green isn't hard at all. And many years ago, I rear ended a Toyota Corolla that pulled out of a parking lot into the inside lane and didn't attempt to speed up. It pushed the whole back end down a good inch or so and jammed his doors (2dr Toy) and well, the cop didn't believe the 67 Dart hit the Toy since there was very little damage to it. It went to court....I won when he said "When I pulled out in front of him.........." he meant to say that I was way back when he pulled out but he also was supposed to pull into the right lane and not the inside lane.....and I wasn't way back. One of 3 witnesses showed up but he called me by my first name....usually not good. And I do what I can when I see people driving while texting. Loud exhaust, horn, whatever. Morons.

Luckily no one questioned it thinking the witness was one of your friends.

 

[chrger1967]

I’ll add another SORRY this happened. Always had a peeve about people tailgating for obvious reasons. Couple years ago, my wife was rear-ended in my Dakota I had just got done fixing up. New box, bumper, fenders, repaint, etc. I fixed the 3rd brake light that wasn’t working for a few months and added another light in the trailer hitch I insert when the hitch is out. Didn’t matter. What’s more irritating is the repairs weren’t all proper. Grrr..

Anyway, just tossing this out: You have LED lights? I remember a few close calls with my old lights, the LEDS are much brighter and seems I don’t have the frequency of close calls I had. Yeah, they won’t stop everyone being distracted, but better odds I think. I’m more cautious or observant of people behind as I approach a stop or turn.
Good luck with getting your Dodge repaired!

I've though about adding a third brake light. Just have to find the right way to mount it in my Charger. Has anyone seen a third brake light that says.. "Stop you funkin moron, this is a 67 Charger, its worth more than you grandmother has". If anyone sees a third brake light that says that, please DM me.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Nice and I hope that AVIVA / Elite actually covers the full costs, as they sure F'd me after promising to pay my labour and all parts purchased.

I have a really good friend who is a cracker jack lawyer. The insurance company won't want to dance with him. My gut feeling though, is that they will be fair with me. I'll be sure to let you know how this plays out.

 

[Cranky]

Luckily no one questioned it thinking the witness was one of your friends.

The lawyer mentioned that after it was over but he also said the other side put his own foot in his mouth.