Lost my car in a chassis shop accident

Alan Warman · 01-07-2014, 09:16 PM

Did not want to hijack the thread of the 2014 updates so I am starting a new one here.
As many of you know I lost my Stocker in a chassis shop fire/accident. The car in question was an '85 Cutlass no VIN car that originally belonged to Ron Garey.
Before I took my car to the chassis shop I had pulled the engine and trans, fuel system, and ignition from the car. The problem I am having with the chassis shop is, he thinks that an '85 Cutlass off the street is the same as a no VIN car that has never seen the street.
He has offered to replace the body, but nothing else (ie paint job, lettering, etc).
He has made me several offers including the one mentioned above or an '03 double cab Ford Dually ( wore out). One of the other offers was, back-halfing our super stock project and $4500.00 for my engine, transmission, and all parts to make a running stocker. He feels my car is not worth what I am asking, because it does not have a store bought engine or a high dollar rear-end. I run the car in K/Stock automatic and have run a best of 11.883 at 111 mph off the 12.65 NHRA index.
With the suspension changes, and converter changes the car would have been a 1.00 under NHRA car.
This is a 307 Olds engine, non roller cam engine, so he knows he has me over a barrel as far as potential buyers for my left over parts.
I really don't want to take legal action, but don't want to get screwed out of my hard work and accomplishments either.
I did not buy this car turn-key. I bought it as a roller and accomplished all the engine, transmission, and rear end (suspension work) myself. I know I can't charge for sentimental value, but there is a lot of that in it. When I was building the car I sustained a back injury, could not work, and the labor on the car was my rehab.
Any suggestions on what I might do would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alan

01-07-2014, 09:16 PM	#1
Alan Warman Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Angelo Tx Posts: 231 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lost my car in a chassis shop accident Did not want to hijack the thread of the 2014 updates so I am starting a new one here. As many of you know I lost my Stocker in a chassis shop fire/accident. The car in question was an '85 Cutlass no VIN car that originally belonged to Ron Garey. Before I took my car to the chassis shop I had pulled the engine and trans, fuel system, and ignition from the car. The problem I am having with the chassis shop is, he thinks that an '85 Cutlass off the street is the same as a no VIN car that has never seen the street. He has offered to replace the body, but nothing else (ie paint job, lettering, etc). He has made me several offers including the one mentioned above or an '03 double cab Ford Dually ( wore out). One of the other offers was, back-halfing our super stock project and $4500.00 for my engine, transmission, and all parts to make a running stocker. He feels my car is not worth what I am asking, because it does not have a store bought engine or a high dollar rear-end. I run the car in K/Stock automatic and have run a best of 11.883 at 111 mph off the 12.65 NHRA index. With the suspension changes, and converter changes the car would have been a 1.00 under NHRA car. This is a 307 Olds engine, non roller cam engine, so he knows he has me over a barrel as far as potential buyers for my left over parts. I really don't want to take legal action, but don't want to get screwed out of my hard work and accomplishments either. I did not buy this car turn-key. I bought it as a roller and accomplished all the engine, transmission, and rear end (suspension work) myself. I know I can't charge for sentimental value, but there is a lot of that in it. When I was building the car I sustained a back injury, could not work, and the labor on the car was my rehab. Any suggestions on what I might do would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Alan __________________ Alan Warman STK 4107