Projects Racing Accident Sunday at Immokalee Raceway

Well, if you were at Immokalee Raceway this past Sunday, you no doubted saw my friend Joe roll his 1935 Chevy Steel body 3 window coupe while racing our other friends' 1941 Willys gasser. It was his dream car, and he's quite upset (but unhurt). Turns out about 1/2 way down the right rear axle broke right at the bearing, and it hit both walls, got on it's roof, and slid on it's side through the traps at 35 MPH. The issues now are, of course, how to fix the rare original steel fenders and running boards (ALL of them are damaged), and more importantly, the cab. Remarkably, none of the windows broke. But when you stand behind the car, you can see that the upper part of the cab is indeed slightly twisted to the right (i'm guessing an inch). I want to help him out. He's devastated, but he's got some cash. Does anyone have some ideas on where to start metal-wise to fix a wreck like this? I have trouble loading pics here on my computer, so tomorrow I'll take pics with my phone and post them. But be forewarned: It's painful to look at.

 

Sad to hear.Glad there are no injuries.Hope your pics get some good input.

 

What you need is a Florida version of Jim Sibley as he can fix anything. Unfortunately he is as far away as you could get in the 48.

 

Where is he located? I know I've heard the name.

 

Spokane, Washington

 

Quite a few guys on this board have proven that they can resurrect anything!

There's a few in your area but I don't have that info at this moment.

 

It will be interesting to see if insurance will cover it, since the car was being raced at the time of the accident.

 

Any pics or video? Glad your buddy is ok.

 

...hate to hear about this kind of stuff, but sounds like it could've been a lot worse. Hope things get fixed back up.

 

Really sad to hear these kinds of stories. Glad he is OK and hope he can get it fixed.

 

From experience I can assure you it does not cover the car. HRP

 

Anything can be fixed. Those old Fords are tough. Mine has been on it's roof in the past. Tell him not to give up it is worth doing. Maybe it's time for a roadster.

Cars can be replaced, friends, not so easy.

 

I know some people have mentioned to him to make an insurance claim, but they clearly state that they don't cover racing. On Wednesday, we have a weekly cruise night in our area that he usually comes to....but he was not there last night, and his closer friends have said they have not heard from him all week (as he has been drinking) lol but not funny. I can't even imagine. It's ONE thing to wreck a glass car....

 

I thought for sure there would have been video on youtube by Sunday night...but I searched twice this week and found nothing. The 41 Willys he was racing is such a neat car that I thought for sure people would have been videoing the race, but I guess not.

 

Glad he wasn't hurt, the car can be rebuilt. When sports cars get wrecked in Vintage Races, they get rebuilt/restored. It's just time and money, they are worth bringing back, same deal with this 3Window. Bob

 

Here's my take on it, and I know a few will slam me but many more may agree... I'm glad your friend is OK, but if his '35 3 window is so rare HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RACING IT. Yes, I know that driving down the street you have a greater chance of getting in a wreck, but drag racing really is a sport that involves SPARE PARTS, replacements, extras....not RARE stuff. OK, go ahead, let me have it.

 

Insurance is going to be a problem. Had a friend that wrecked his Model A at a nostalgia race and his insurance co., one that many of us use, wanted a police report. He explained that he was at an "exhibition" race with his car. Not only did they not cover him, but they cancelled his insurance for both of his cars. Good luck, hope it works out for you!

 

This is sad to hear.

 

The old metal man in Miami just retired....damn.
The shop where he worked had to shut down their restoration business and go strictly insurance work because of him retiring. He did fantastic work..

 

10 bolt GM rear? Just askin'...

 

You guys with the hot rods listen up: Don't race! ...and you guys with the reefers: Don't inhale!
I was drinkin' beer, but I didn't swallow....

 

we all take our chances. I would say even on the street screwing around if something happened and the police report said anything about speeding or racing you'd be out of luck. When you race a car you better be prepared to lose the money if something goes wrong



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Yep, I would not even file a claim and that way not be liable for insurance fraud.

Now for original question, I would start by pulling the cab upright, and go from there. I cannot see the car so I cannot determine if the fenders and boards can be worked but if they cannot fenders and boards can be had. If the car did the pinball thing like described basically everything on it will need to be checked for straightness.

All that said I am glad that no humans were injured in that stunt. Being physically able to put one back together and still on this side of the grass is priceless.

 

I'm hoping to post some decent pictures today. Gonna try to do it through my phone shortly.

 

Here are a few pics

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And another

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Gets worse

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And yes it is a GM 10 bolt rear end

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I've always had a motto: "If you can't afford to wreck it, then you can't afford to own it."
However, I personally would have never had that thing on the track. No way. But that's ME.

 

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