My $300.00 72 Vega GT build, to replace the departed 76

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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build

Postby 76Vega » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:33 pm

I finally got the frame rails in and for the first time since i bought it i was able to put it on the lift without fear of it splitting in half, now it's time to finish up some grinding on the frame rail welds, and start finishing up the floor and and inner wheelwell rot areas, as well as install my new rear control arms and install the s10 3.73 rear guts i got from a salvage yard (whole rear for $125.00).
Sorry no pics just yet i wasn't planning on working on it today, but i found the time but i didn't bring the camera, i'll take some tomorrow and post them in the evening.
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby 76Vega » Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:03 pm

As the topic says the car and garage are no more. :(
Everything is a total loss, so i'm out about $3500.00 (but thats nothing compared to my brother in-law's loss)and i was planning on bringing it home sunday.
It was a 7 alarm fire building was gone in less than a half hour, along with my car the customers truck that started the fire and the customers cars in the lot.(pics of the fire and all cars in my album link).
here is some pics and if you want to see more here is the link to my photoshop album.
http://photobucket.com/Garage-fire

Here is what o could see of my car before the fire company tore the rest of the garage down.
Image

here it is after the loader lifted it and moved it to were the alignment rack was.
Image
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby megavega » Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:27 pm

Oh man, sorry for your loss, thats a shame. hate to see anyone have to go thru that! Hopefully nobody got hurt, the rest of the stuff is replaceable, a life isnt.
1972 hatchback, 28,000 orig miles, 427BBC/twin T4 turbo's/T56 six speed/big wheels, lowered down pro touring style-work in progress....

1973 vega wagon-under the blue flame knife.
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby stage169 » Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:29 pm

I feel for you man! I hope some way a big part of it works out for you and your brother-in-law.

I thought the "gone up in smoke" was just added and what exactly did it mean? Plain and simple that is too bad!

Keep us posted, Brian
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby cammerjeff » Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:29 am

I am Devistated!!!! I can't imagine the feelings of losing your car like that, or the Buisness. You have my Condolances1 :shock:
Jeff R

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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby 76Vega » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:24 pm

The worst part for me is since i'm on disability, so it took me 5yrs to save up the money to get a car and start the restore, and i had already spent all i had and sold my daily driver to get the car to the point it was at.
The saddest part was i was going to bring it home today to do the outside body work and finish the interior as i spent every night last week finishing the frame work and the rot repairs on the floor and under the rear of the car.
The only parts i have left are the GT dash and harness and the S10 rear i just purchased, both of which were at my house at the time, the fire company won't let anyone in the area until their investigation is done, i'm atleast hoping to be able to save the v8 frame mounts, but i doubt it as the fire was hot enough to melt the bumpers and the galvenized steel rockers that were on the car when i got it.
I'll probably get something from my brother in-laws insurance company, but not much considering it was a vega and not running.

Thanks for your concern.
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby 76Vega » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:26 pm

And i would like to thank Ford Motor Company for their fine quality vehicles. which caused the fire.
Sorry buy I'm a die hard Chevy guy.
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby monzajer » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:58 pm

SERIOUS OUCH!!! :bang: :bang: :censored: :cuss: I am very sorry for your loss. Glad you are OK. It is a horrible feeling after all the work and you were ready to bring it home.

Quick question: if you could, would you try to revive the Vega or just color it toast?

Again, my condolences. :( :cry:

jer :mrgreen:
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby 76Vega » Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:46 pm

if i could i would try to bring it back to life but everybody panel is warped, so imagine the only thing i could probably save is the 3X3" 3-16th frame rails i welded in.
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby 76Vega » Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:12 pm

I lied the hardest part about this is help my brother in-law figure out what all was in the garage and it's value. :bang:
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby megavega » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:21 pm

Hang in there Dave, I think youll be able to save a few things off the car and put it towards your next one. I would think the thicker steel parts would still be fine, like the motor mounts, rear axle brackets, front spindles, etc. to use on another vega build if thats what you want to do. Then you could roll the car over and remove your frame rails via a torch and just grind off the welds to the floorpan sections and reuse that. Likely just scrap the rest of the hulk for some money recovery there. Its got to be a bummer but there got to be some light yet in the tunnel for you. My wife is a insurance agent and she said that if the garage wasnt a business with insurance as a business each car would need to have its own policy by the owner(you),if the car wasnt done and on the road most people dont carry insurance on them(myself included) so when something like this happens all you can do is salvage anything you can and build another. I wish you the best in this situation, thats a real shame!
1972 hatchback, 28,000 orig miles, 427BBC/twin T4 turbo's/T56 six speed/big wheels, lowered down pro touring style-work in progress....

1973 vega wagon-under the blue flame knife.
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby SOLSAKS » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:35 pm

man, i am sorry, glad you are o.k.

i really liked that car, and was looking forward to seeing the resto.

take care. :D
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby HAULIN' IT » Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:10 am

WOW! That's a bummer! Hate to see things like that. Fire is bad stuff!
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby 76Vega » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:06 pm

My brother in-laws insurance agent was out today and went over his policy and they will cover my car up to $35,000.00 obviously i'm nowhere that amount buy since i have all my receipts and my paypal invoices for the parts that i had put on the car i may just get about all my money back, and if so i will be looking for another one to build but it will be awhile.
I just hope they accept the receipts for the s10 and nova parts i put on the front end since they were not made for the car.
Yes MegaVega it was a business so the car will be covered by his insurance company.
Well it will take awhile but things may be looking up ,i hope because it has been a long time since i had any real good news, I was in a bad accident that screwed up my back and knees back in 2008 which put me on disability, i can work but extremely limited to what i can do and how long i can stand, when i found the Vega i knew it needed a ton of work but i had that good feeling like i did when i built my first one many years ago but with my luck as you all can see it was short lived, so know i prey that with the insurance money i may find another and build it up, that is as long as i get some good luck and for the love of god no more bad luck.
David
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Re: My $200.00 76 Vega build/ gone up in smoke.

Postby chevy art » Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:57 pm

dave like i mentioned the other day to you, your labor into that resto has to add to the insured value of the car. it is a custom car in the making and the insurance company should look at it like that when they do an appraisal on its value. remember that alot of insurance companies are always trying to deny claims and hope you go away when they say no. if you dont like what they offer, you can probably get a state insurance official to review the claim. hopoefully it wont have to go that far . good luck. art
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