death in family revisited

[dawson-md]

Thank you to everyone that was concerned about my well being after hitting a
deer with my 5Ktq. I was inundated with e-mail expressing support (and
requests for first dibs on parts) which goes to show what a great group of
people are on the list. Many people also expressed their relief that I was
not in the Ferrari, they are not as relieved as I am.

My insurance company has generously offered the car to me for a $250
reduction from the settlement, I still net a $9 profit after driving the car
for 6 years! Today I took my first good look at the damage and started
taking off mangled parts. To my surprise, I found that except for 2 easy to
repair bent support arms, everything that is damaged is a "bolt on" part!
This should be easy to fix. The hood, left fender and the support panel that
holds the hood latches need to be replaced. The grill, headlights and trim
were destroyed but I may replace them with non-turbo parts due to the fact
that they are easier to find, cheaper and I could use Euro headlight bulbs
to better locate those pesky deer in the future. The headlight bulb socket
was rammed into the AC condenser neatly between two tubes. I was able to
start the car and confirmed that the AC still worked, what luck! The upper
radiator rubber mounts gave way which no doubt saved the radiator. The
bumper was untouched and a few of the plastic shroud pieces around the
radiator are cracked but reusable. All in all I have been extremely lucky.
Maybe I'll invest those $9 in lottery tickets.

Thanks again to all those that responded. One more Audi saved from the
crusher and those wanting parts will just have to wait a little longer. As a
side note, Ohio will issue a salvage title for the car and I have to have it
inspected by the state police before using it again. My neighbor, who is a
body shop manager for a dealer, said that they will seize the car if I don't
have receipts for all the parts and the serial number of any car that I get
parts from. They are serious about trafficking in stolen auto parts and he
has seen them confiscate cars that didn't stand up to complete
documentation. Even painting over those little serial number stickers on
fenders and doors is enough to lose the vehicle.

Mike (relieved and lucky)
'83 UrQ (quietly resting)
'84 4Kq (could be a parts car soon)
'87 5Ktq (bloodied but still breathing)
'77 Ferrari 308 GT4 (safe and warm)