87.5 CGT

[Huw Powell]

> Big fan of your site.  I have a sad story.  My first car was an 87.5,
> tornado red CGT that I have kept in great condition (169k) until
> Thursday night.  Our 18 year old babysitter who has no appreciation for
> a classic, decided to play bumper car on Route 128 and spun out.  She
> ended up putting the front end into the guard rail and wiping the rt
> front fender and smashing back the whole front (grill, lights, etc).
> The hood was a bit banged up and the left fender is good.  I hooked up a
> tow rope and had my wife pull on it with the Suburban while I stood on
> the brakes to get the front off of the engine.  It worked, she turned
> over and hums like always.  I actually drove it around and it feels
> great but she looks beat.  It appears that I can unbolt the fender, swap
> out the hood but my big question is, how do I handle the mangled up
> metal that hides behind the grill.  This is the same piece that you cut
> out in your engine swap.  Can I replace that whole front support?  Even
> bigger question, do you work on CGT's or know who I could take this to
> for body work?  I am in no hurry but do not know if I have the
> capability to take on such a task.  Any thoughts greatly appreciated.  I
> am going to take a few pix so can send those if you want to see what I
> am talking about.  Thanks so much.
> 
> MT
> 
> Michael W. Taylor   (in MA)

Hi Mike,

I have sent this reply to the audifans mailing list so you get better 
coverage in terms of answers, and also to a guy in MD who is right now 
liquidating a bunch of parts that might help you.

http://ben_swann.homestead.com/GarageSale.html

As far as the fenders and hood, you are correct, they can be unbolted 
and replaced.  The center support area, could be "cut and pasted" out of 
a non-wrecked car, or alternatively, I believe the sheet metal bits are 
still available through Audi.

Whatever you do there, try to make sure everything is lined up right - a 
trip to the body shop for at least part of the work would be a good 
idea.  Depending on how handy you are, you might pull the fender and 
hood, have them fix the center support, and then put the metal back on 
yourself.

Good luck!

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/