[CMC#5]

Ok, so I shouldn't quit my day job and open up Al's Autobody just yet...but, considering this is my first time using an automotive paint gun, mixing paing, using bodywork tools (hammers and pullers) and laying up filler...I'd say it turned out ok.

(IMG:http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/images/Other/before.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/images/Other/Damage1.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/images/Other/Damage2.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/images/Other/Repair1.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/images/Other/Repair2.jpg)

Tomorrow I'll take all the masking off, clean everything, throw some stickers on it...and it'll be ready to wreck again!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[CMC#5]

Well boys and girls...my pristine and almost professional level (I can say that now...since nobody will see it any more!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) repairs lasted almost an entire weekend. (see my post re CMC at Infineon in the road racing forum)

I backed the car into the wall at turn 10 pretty hard. The rear window exploded, and the top of the hatch dug into the rear section of the roof panel. The right rear quarter and inner quarter got pushed in all the way to the tire. The bumper cover and underlying supports are wasted. I'll get some pics some time...

Amazingly, the bondo on the quarter held up really well! It didn't all pop off or anything. Looking under the car, it appears to be fixable. The roof is still straight, the suspension didn't move...everything structural looks like its still in place. Unfortunately the extent of the damage means this really needs to go to someone that knows what they're doing.

I was thinking of proceeding as follows:
1) clean the car up, remove the bumper cover, bumper supports, what's left of the tail lamp and the piece between the tail lamp and the bumper cover, remove the rear hatch
2) take the car to a real shop that can replace the quarter and inner fender, as well as putting the car on a stretcher and measuring the uni-body to make sure its still square
3) find a new hatch, glass, bumper cover, light and fit them on
4) paint the back half of the car

What do you guys thing? I'm thinking if I minimize the work a shop does, it should minimize the cost. Alternatively, I could just find the necessary pieces, bring everything to a shop as is, and just hand it all over. What would you suggest? Also, does anyone have an in with a body shop in No. Cal that would be interested in doing this? I'm ok with towing the car somewhere to save some bucks.