Disaster - rear-ended by hit and run driver

[itsnotanova]

Sorry about your accident. I would guaranty that would be a total loss here in the States. It sounds like you've put a lot into that car and imagine you'll hate to see it go. If that's the case, I say buy it back from the insurance company if they will give you a good price on it. The damage from the pictures doesn't look that bad. It doesn't look like the damage reached the main structure of the car. A good body man should be able to replace that 1/4 panel and have it good as new.

[thstone]

Sorry for your loss. Definitely a total loss here in the States. Hope you get something just as nice or better to replace it.

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

A good body man should be able to replace that 1/4 panel and have it good as new.

Please note that the rear quarter panels are not bolt on fenders like the fronts. Instead the rear quarter panel is part of the entire side of the car (it is seamless from the rear fender to the door opening and continues along the bottom splash panel under the doors to behind the front fender. This is done to add body strength because its a convertible with no roof structure).

The repair shop will have to plasma cut the rear quarter panel out (including creating a cut in the lower splash panel beneath the doors) and then custom cut a similar replacement piece and weld back in. Its not a trivial job but can be accomplished by a competent body shop.

Does the driver's door still work ok or has the door opening shape changed? Is there any change in how the top sits - is it bowed up at all? If so, then the chassis has been compromised.

I know all of this based on this experience: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43878-ahhh-my-car-hit-bad-today.html

[itsnotanova]

Originally Posted by thstone

The repair shop will have to plasma cut the rear quarter panel out ]

Most body shops I deal with use a reciprocating saws for work like that. It's a million times quicker, without the risk of starting a fire.
Here's two Boxsters at my salvage yard that have donated parts, so that other Boxsters and 911s can live.
This guy lost his front clip to a 996 and rear quarter to a Boxster with similar looking damage as the OP

This Boxster had some of it's front clip repair a damaged 996. The rear has helped repair two different boxsters. The left rear quarter went to one Boxster with slight damage. The right side went to a boxster that had been hit real hard on the right. It was hit so hard that even the trunk and clam shell had been damaged. I probably would have not repaired that car, but the owner was determined to get that car on the road. I don't do the work, I just sell the parts. Don't be scared by how much was taken off those cars. You always want to take off from the donor car way more than you'll need


I can do body work but prefer to just work on my cars. It's not really that hard if you have the tools. Here's my 911sc after I welded on some 930 flared fenders

It's hard to completely tell the damage to your car. I'm guessing you'll cut off that damaged quarter panel right behind the intake. If so, you'll have to butt-weld them together and I highly recommend using the clamps in the pic below.