1970 Coronet: What Should I expect for Unibody Repair?

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

Sorry if this is the wrong section, or if I missed a similar thread, I hope I did it right.

Anyway, a back in January my Coronet got wrecked by an inattentive driver (no drivetrain damage, I was able to drive it home), and now I'm wondering, what would be the expected price for fixing this sort of damage? I'm not talking about the doors, quarter panel, or windshield, but the unibody damage and the B-pillar. Is this something in the ballpark of 1k, 5k, 7k, or even more than that...?

69L48Z27 · Mar 26, 2019

Is the floor buckled?

To disassemble I would go 8 hrs, pull doors, fender, windshield.

From there who knows. Did you find a frame shop that’s willing to work on it?

Put it on a frame machine and start pulling. Rocker may need cutout and replaced along with B Pillar. Probably 20 hours? That’s with no rocker or floor replacement. If you had sheetmetal in hand for rocker and B Pilar that’s another 20-40 hours. From there your ready to fix the rest, quarter, hang doors, fender, etc.

At $70/hr your looking at $5-6k? Just thinking out load.

flypaper · Mar 26, 2019

you could probably find another car for the money you would invest into saving that.
especially if you do not do all the work yourself..
good luck

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

I have not yet contacted anyone, been having other stuff to work on. Just went and got some photos of floor; not the best though as it's night.

flypaper said:
you could probably find another car for the money you would invest into saving that.
especially if you do not do all the work yourself..
good luck

Problem is, it's almost impossible to find 4 door coronets, in 1970 model, in any price, in any condition...seems everyone who has one is either "I'm gonna part it out, I don't care if it's near perfect" or a fellow 4-door lover who doesn't wanna sell unless they really really have to.

flypaper · Mar 26, 2019

that isn't going to be a cheap fix, inner rocker moved in
and that will take a lot of digging and time to fix right.
is the roof buckled?
at over 5k it might be time to look for a parted one
and move your parts over.
I could see 7 to 8k easy more then that wouldn't surprise me
it has to hit a frame machine and the floor will probably have to come out
not trying to discourage you
but be aware of what you are up against.

moparnation74 · Mar 26, 2019

Firstly, glad you are OK and can walk away from this accident....

That is a significant amount of damage........The cost of the repair would be over 7k........

Billccm · Mar 26, 2019

Is the other driver at fault? Did they have insurance?
You should not settle the claim until you have a repair or replacement plan.

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

I see...

To be honest, I'm seriously wondering about just getting this instead; assuming that the expired link is simply due to being up too long and not that it has sold (it's bee reposted multiple times). The only problem is the location, OK vs me being in NC. But I rather like this car too; yes, the similar design on front end is a reason, but it's also a higher trim overall, and seems good condition. It was asking $5.5k though; your thoughts? (Sorry for going a bit off topic here.)

And yes, other driver was total fault, ended up getting back nearly 3x what I bought the car for.

moparnation74 · Mar 26, 2019

You have to decide what will make you happy and not limit you financially.......If you love the car that much and want to sink a lot of coin into it, then so be it.........In some situations you have to cut your losses and walk away........Which sucks when you have a strong attachment to a car....

Billccm · Mar 26, 2019

Link does not work.
I might know a car for you in Phoenix.

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

I haven't even had the car for a year.....that said, the 72 Fury I'd be happy to take in its place, assuming no issues that'd prevent me from driving it whenever I like.

"Link does not work". Ok, I'll try it this way, guess I didn't format the other one right. https://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/threads/72-fury-gran-sedan.46560/

moparnation74 · Mar 26, 2019

PanzerschreckLeopard said:
I haven't even had the car for a year.....that said, the 72 Fury I'd be happy to take in its place, assuming no issues that'd prevent me from driving it whenever I like.

"Link does not work". Ok, I'll try it this way, guess I didn't format the other one right. https://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/threads/72-fury-gran-sedan.46560/

Those seats

...........

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

moparnation74 said:
Those seats...........

.....feck, it HAS been sold now. Dammit, these are just as hard to find as the coronet...grrrrrgggh...

dadsbee · Mar 26, 2019

Hey, those inserts were a high dollar option!!

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

sigh....seems I have no good options now...I don't wanna spend 8k just just to fix it, let alone anything I would have wanted to do to it before I got wrecked...

flypaper · Mar 26, 2019

patience
plenty of deals come up all the time
you just have to have the ducks ready to go and don't hesitate when you find one.
the good deals do not last long

Billccm · Mar 26, 2019

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/newkirk-1974-plymouth-valiant/6848189640.html

PanzerschreckLeopard · Mar 26, 2019

flypaper said:
patience
plenty of deals come up all the time
you just have to have the ducks ready to go and don't hesitate when you find one.
the good deals do not last long

And that Fury was a good one too, assuming road worthy; although the base 318 engine, it was the top trim. Bleh, if it hadn't been a 20 hour drive away I probably would have already tried to get it...

Thanks, but I already have a 1971 /6 Valiant, I'm not getting another 6cyl. But it's not near as fun as the Coronet was...

Montclaire · Mar 27, 2019

If the roof and floor are buckled, forget it.

68Moparmaniac · Mar 27, 2019

PanzerschreckLeopard said:
Sorry if this is the wrong section, or if I missed a similar thread, I hope I did it right.

Anyway, a back in January my Coronet got wrecked by an inattentive driver (no drivetrain damage, I was able to drive it home), and now I'm wondering, what would be the expected price for fixing this sort of damage? I'm not talking about the doors, quarter panel, or windshield, but the unibody damage and the B-pillar. Is this something in the ballpark of 1k, 5k, 7k, or even more than that...?

View attachment 740028 View attachment 740030 View attachment 740031 View attachment 740032 View attachment 740033 View attachment 740034

Man the ole girl took a pretty good lick, glad your okay. From what I can see the floor is junk, gonna be needing some expert care for sure. Don't be tempted to go with the lower quotes if you plan on keeping the car. Do your due diligence when choosing the shop because not all shops are created equal, this issue can go from bad to worse in a hurry. Find a reputable shop that has experience and frame specs for the older Mopar uni-bodies. The next hurtle is finding parts or a donor for a four door Coronet but I'm preaching to the choir here. Best advice is get comfortable with the shop before you hand over your baby and hard earned $$$. Get the shop to document what they are going to do to get your Coronet straight again because once the sparks start flying things tend to get a little blurry when it comes down to what's expected because the days of a mans word and handshake are long gone... just sayin

1970 Coronet: What Should I expect for Unibody Repair?

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