Re: A Bear of a story, and looking for a good Denver body shop

[Al Feldman <afeld@sni.net>]

Bob,

Sorry to hear about your car. I know how stressful that can be.

I have used Foreign Auto Body (owner's name is Ed), 700 S Monaco (north of
Leetsdale) for repairs to my previous 86 4kcsq. Was very pleased with their work
and service, and the work held up over the years. Fairly reasonable on price too.
He seems to take a lot of pride in his work.

Long time ago I used Nylands Automotive and Refinishing on W Dartmouth. They were
good at the time and I image they still are.

My friend has used Prestige's body shop and was happy, but I don't think he had a
lot done. Would imagine they would be pricey.

No affiliations with any of the above.

Good luck with your repairs. Let me know how it goes.

Al Feldman
Denver CO

94 90csq
85 4ksq

Bob Cotton wrote:

> I just returned from a 2 week 4,350 mile road trip in my 97 A4Q
> through S.E. Utah, Palm Springs, Yosemite and Death Valley. The A4 is
> a wonderful road-trip car, as I drive the entire trip loving every
> mile. Very comfortable seats and fun to drive the back roads of Utah.
> I finally got to experience all 176 hp. while in Palm Springs and
> Death Valley (elv. -282ft) , now I know what all you low-landers enjoy
> every day.
>
> While staying with a friend in the Yosemite Valley, I awoke the next
> morning to find that a bear had attempted to gain access to my
> car. Apparently it had seen something that it wanted, even though had
> taken all the food inside with me.
>
> >From the paw prints on the car it attempted to open every door from
> the top, bending the chrome molding around the doors, then climbed on
> top of the car and proceeded to pull at the sun-roof! It managed to
> pull open the sun-roof about 3/4" and destroy the molding around the
> sun-roof glass before finally giving up.
>
> When I saw the car the next morning, I just stood there for several
> minutes staring is disbelief. The roof behind the sun-roof was caved
> in, and in front of the sun-roof was dented as well. Bear prints were
> found all over the car. From the hood to the trunk. Every where the
> bear touched it scratched the paint, for it's paws were covered in a
> sandy dirt.
>
> The car was driveable, and after taking some pictures we managed to
> bend the sun-roof down a little. I didn't bother to wash the car until
> I got back because I didn't want to see the damage, the dirt and the
> caved in roof was enough. Every time I got in the car, I said to
> myself, "F'n Bear!" ;-)
>
> Initial damage estimates say that *every* panel on the car is
> scratched, save the drivers door. So a complete repaint will be
> necessary. The roof will be replaced (and probably the sun-roof also).
>
> I called my insurance (American Family) that morning to report the
> damage. I go for an official estimate next week.
>
> I've never had to file a claim before, nor have any extensive paint
> work done on any other vehicle. What exactly is involved in a complete
> repaint? Do they "strip" the car first, or just paint over the old
> paint?
>
> Does anyone know of a good auto-body shop in Denver/Boulder they they've
> used and been happy with? The body-shop next-door to Continental Audi
> in Littleton has a written lifetime guarantee on all work. They claim
> to be the "Best in Denver".
>
> Well at least all the paint chips in the hood will be fixed now. ;-)
>
> - Bob
>
> '97 A4QM Heavily scratched and bear resistant.
>
> --
> Bob Cotton               bob@synxis.com Phone: (303)595-2511 Fax: (303)534-4257
> SynXis Corporation       Give me the strength to change the things I can, the
> 1610 Wynkoop, Suite 400  grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big
> Denver, CO  80202        bag of money.