[AROWHED]

So this happened last Tuesday, won't get into the specific details but I was rear-ended by a 2003 Dodge Caravan moving somewhere around 40-60mph...I was braking heavily at the time but not completely stopped. I did not see the van coming.
I've been wearing a neck brace nearly constantly since then, only today is my neck not nearly so painful. Somehow cracked my nose on the steering wheel as well, I don't actually recall that, but it must have been after the driver seat folded backward, and I bounced off the rear seat, pitching me forward again..it all happened ultra fast.
The wedge shaped front end of van apparently slid under the GP, giving it that fancy rake. Found a piece of it's grille neatly cookie-cutter jammed into the exhaust tip.
Frame is toast, as the body, but doors forward is fine. Even the filler panel between rear glass and deck lid seem ok. Damnglad my half tank of gas stayed put, but rear bumper came real close to ripping tank open. I'm starting the hunt for another decent 65 GP to move all good parts over to, depending on insurance settlement. By the way, those huge rear tires never rubbed before..until now!

[marxjunk]

heart breaking...my biggest fear...when i drive my old stuff...i worry..and am just always head on a swivel..hard to enjoy sometimes..

look at the good side...you walked away...it could have been much worse...

i feel for ya..i really do...i lost a low mile 71 GTO way back when..i was devastated...drunk driver t-boned me at the door and 1/4...i actually cried...right before i tried to kick his butt...the cops cuffed me and put me in a car for 30 minutes before i realized...i was an idiot..i dream about that GTO all the time..loved it...

theres other cars...you'll get past it..it will take sme time...

did you go to the hospital to get checked..neck injusries are nothing to play with..

[66 Wagon]

Ouch! Rear-endings are nasty. Too bad on a really nice car but I'm glad you walked away from the crash with only minor injuries.

[Deadhead]

Sorry for your loss Mike. Confirms my belief that people who drive cars with those flags rolled up in the windows are morons.

At least you know exactly how to set the next one up.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by Deadhead

...Confirms my belief that people who drive cars with those flags rolled up in the windows are morons...

Concur , only exceeded in lack of driving skill by Camry drivers.

AROWHED - I am glad you are ok; looks like a lot of energy was bled off by him sliding under you. I always loved the clean look of lowback seats but this is exactly why I will not use them without a headrest: I shudder thinking the force you exerted on that seat to break it.

[JSPONT]

Heartbreaking. I think I would have wanted to kill that person. Hope the person was not texting or chasing pokemon, which is common where I live. I am an insurance adjust and see this everyday.
Glad you are somewhat okay! And yes I add highback buckets to my old cars.
If you have collectors insurance with a stated value, you might be better off using it rather than that persons insurance. Most likely Geico (35% of the market). Your company will go after the other persons company for the entire amount and you will get your deductible back.
Sorry to see this good luck in your search for the new car!

[61-63]

Sorry for your loss and good luck with sorting all of this out and replacing your car.

You should get a nice settlement for your time and frustration IMO because getting you back to where you were with that nice GP is a lot more involved than with an '07 Taurus or something.

[stevep]

I hope that you will be OK and that you are properly insured.

[Hitman]

I'm glad that you made it out alright, enough to let us know. Looks like it took a hard hit. Get well and we'll all look forward to your next build thread.

[Sirrotica]

Classic case of following too close and/or distracted driving.

If they were the 3 seconds behind you they would have had room to stop even though admittedly you stopped quickly. People never give themselves time to react to an emergency. Driving a fuel tanker we had plenty of training for defensive driving. One thing they stressed is the moron behind you is following too close pull over and let them go by you. Chances are in a tanker accident if there is a fire, no one in the immediate proximity is going to survive. If they tailgate me I just let them go ahead of me no matter what I'm driving.

Too bad for the car, at least you made it out with hopefully minor injuries. I've been rear ended more than once, and it raises hell with your back and neck every time. The second day after the accident is worst.

[Engine-Ear]

Man, what drag.

I owe you a call to see how you are doing, but until then, count your blessings, brother.

While I get the motivation to add certain safety adders to these old cars, the simple fact is, when your card is punched - it's punched (SteveP) - and Mike, yours wasn't.

...but do me a favor, save that Gadsden flag sticker.

[Heybuck]

I can't stress strongly enough the importance of having your personal (neck & head) injuries monitored on a continual basis and to keep a diary line of when you saw a doctor and what the results are.

I don't know what age you are and what your physical shape is/was in before this crash but you MUST be aware that some of these injuries can manifest themselves quite some time - years even - and hugely affect your later laife enjoyment.

Take good care of yourself & good luck

Ian

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

So sorry for your loss,It looked a real nice darksider
It would be like loosing a family pet..

John L.

[Keith Vrabec]

Wow.

[hurryinhoosier62]

That SUCKS, but I glad you came through it OK.

[6567GTO]

omg, that's terrible. my condolences.

[Marv]

Brutal - I'm so sorry to see

Surely with the big aftermarket these cars have in the USA you could fix that? I've seen worse repaired (properly, too) out here!

[Willshire]

That totally sucks man! So glad only minor injuries. Well, whiplash sometimes isn't minor but i hope you are ok.

[Ragtop Man]

Glad you are OK - there are plenty of GPs out there but only one of you.

Glad the tank was in one piece (!!!!!!!) that was a wicked hit. That good old perimeter frame did its job.

[marxjunk]

[QUOTE=Marv;5616149Surely with the big aftermarket these cars have in the USA you could fix that? I've seen worse repaired (properly, too) out here![/QUOTE]


not much really available...the exhaust and tires...bout it...