[J.C.you]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

I'll bet it hit something like a concrete or steel overpass support column. I'll also bet whatever it hit didn't flinch.

you are probably right on a steel column. Looks to be rectangle in shape. You can see the outline in the bumper. Concrete would leave sand blast type marks and a tree would have definitely left bark and pieces of wood stuck in the metal. I have seen many wrecks over the years and I would guess this car was traveling 40 mph or so when it came to a abrupt stop.

[arbys]

It sure looks like something square that didn't move maybe a 20-24" square column.

[Old Blue 66]

Geez. It appears the motor passed the firewall. No pics to support that though.

[MescaBug]

I'd never buy a car that I know people got hurt or died in... Is it just me?

[67gtojones]

I'm a supervisor in a claims branch here in California. We have comparative negligence liability statutes, which you know is different than no-fault.

This vehicle would be totaled out.

A loss-of-use or rental claim would be thousands for this during repair time in addition to the repair costs. Most insurers and every-day body shops aren't into classic car restoration. They don't want to get into arguments with the owners about OEM parts, NOS parts, bad reproduction versus good reproduction, $10k paint jobs, etc, etc...

if your car is unique and worth more than $20k, you really should have classic car insurance. Day-to-day insurance companies are inexperienced to handle this and would total it out, even with a 50% repair to ACV ratio.

[60sstuff]

This is exactly why the famous 65-66 Corvette Teakwood Steering Wheel was discontinued!
Many punctured lungs from long wood splinters in this type of collision :-(

[66Post]

Not that they would have saved a life, but shoulder belts may have helped out here, Anyone with an A Body made after Jan 66 can install them. They are cheap insurance.

[arbys]

Originally Posted by 66Post

Not that they would have saved a life, but shoulder belts may have helped out here, Anyone with an A Body made after Jan 66 can install them. They are cheap insurance.

Why after Jan 66?

[Old Goat 67]

That's when they starting putting the mounting points in the roof rail.

[66Post]

Originally Posted by Old Goat 67

That's when they starting putting the mounting points in the roof rail.

Roger that, there is a small 1/8" hole punched in the firewall mounted trim plate that also indicates the threaded mounting hole up by the coat hanger hook is present.

[Old Goat 67]

Only on 66's.

[arbys]

Originally Posted by Old Goat 67

That's when they starting putting the mounting points in the roof rail.

No wonder I couldn't find any. LOL

[chinquapalian]

and as far as your 17-yr old and your old ride.................