do I keep it? ideas for after the fire

[popeye1978]

My Cutlass Supreme was in the StorExpress storage facility that caught fire in Etna, PA, on 08 May ... that should be enough detail for you to find news articles if you didn't hear of it at the time

The car wasn't consumed by the fire but it was so close to the (fire-made) hole in the floor the car couldn't be removed from the building & appraised until a few weeks ago, it is now sitting at a yard where it was towed upon removal from the building.

The insurance company is calling the vehicle a total loss as from the appraisal ...

• Wheels should be replaced
• All sheetmetal has to be repaired
• The plastic on the front and rear ends (bumper covers, lights, etc) should be replaced
• Headliner needs to be replaced

... and the amount for all that exceeds the guaranteed insured value. The appraiser can only do a visual inspection so -- except for the wheels -- I have no idea whether it's roadworthy.

I now have to decide whether I want to salvage/rebuild the car or take the insurance money and let somebody else part-it-out ... I've admittedly only gotten this idea because from the lone low-resolution picture I have of it, the interior looks to be in decent shape.

I am going to do my own inspection and make a decision from there (I'm taking a friend with me to ensure I am not looking at it with rose-colored glasses). As the taillights melted-in on themselves the electrical wiring is a concern so I plan to take a close look at the easily-accessible wire harnesses; any ideas of what else to look at when judging whether to save it or walk away?

Thank you in advance for any input you're able to give

 

[DRIVEN]

Ask us again after you've seen it in person and post the pics.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Burnt cars are almost always a PITA to repair, especially if the sheetmetal was deformed.

Buyback might be low enough to make it worth retaining and parting, if you have the means/place to do so

Not meant as rude, but Cutlasses seem to be more common than most of the other G bodies, so unless it has exceptional value (Hurst, 442) probably better off to find another...which might benefit from some of the salvageable pieces of yours, thereby living on in a small way.

Sorry for the loss

 

[565bbchevy]

I have the buyback option on my Monte but for me most of my money is in the drivetrain so it would be worth it for me to get mine back even if the rest of the car ruined.

 

[pagrunt]

Hard call cause what I saw on the news about it showed it was a big fire & I know there was alot of cars lost in it. If it was just paint damage then they body would be OK then. But pics would give a better idea. Then an autopsy of the car would be needed to see how bad the electrical is with what harm was done to the interior. Another thing is the glass intact?

 

[fleming442]

 

[ck80]

Biggest question: do you want to still own a Cutlass?

If yes, regardless of this car or another, buy it back (unless value is astronomical). Even if unrepairable, there's core parts and misc parts in there usable.

If no, then it's a bit tougher calculus. I will say this: the burn stink that gets in the interiors of burn cars is ridiculously hard to get out unless you gut/blast/dip almost everything.

 

[popeye1978]

Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen -- I am taking a look at it Friday morning so we'll see what's what

 

[pontiacgp]

what about the company that was storing the car, they would have a liability under whatever law in your area covers bailment

 

[bracketchev1221]

If the car has no sentimental value to it, walk away. Start with another one.