A Spinal Surgery Analogy...

thermo

Hello, I have a spinal surgery analogy.

My ailing 1958 Chevrolet Impala failed its MOT at my local Fiat garage two years ago due to cracks in the rusting chassis. The Garage owner recommended me to a Fiat Main dealer for repairs. The Main Dealer had a fairly reputable score on "I Want A Great Car", (no offence IWantGreatCare).

The Main Dealer said that he could repair the section of the chassis. The repair would involve spot welding a new section to the body, however there were some risks:
• Brake fluid leakage
• Battery drain
• Electrical shorts
• Shock absorber weakness
• Oil leaks, all of which could be permanent.
• On-going rust
• Failure of the chassis spot welding to weld itself to the body
• Failure of metal
• Engine seizure, which could be fatal and also the risk of further workshop visits and proximal rust

After 2 weeks there was a really loud crack from the chassis. The dealer said that it was just bedding-in sounds. Nothing to be alarmed about. The car continued to break down until it spluttered to a halt. It hadn’t worked for 18 months and during this time both the Local Fiat dealer and Fiat main dealer said there was nothing wrong.

Finally I tow the car to a Ferrari dealer. The mechanic sees straight away that the angle of the car is twisted. The car is hoisted up on the ramps. The mechanic declares that the Dealer who did the repair has probably not worked on cars this big before. The mechanic states:
• During the initial repair the chassis was not lined-up correctly.
• The repair should have added additional shock absorber to take the weight of the car
• The combination of chassis misalignment and lack of additional support for the new section to the body, the spot welds were always going to give way.

Is there a vintage car specialist out there who can help? Possibly a Clinical negligence solicitor who has some knowledge of Sagittal Alignment and Lumbar lordosis?

Thanks

Aylesbury_Duck

thermo wrote: »

Hello, I have a spinal surgery analogy.

My ailing 1958 Chevrolet Impala failed its MOT at my local Fiat garage two years ago due to cracks in the rusting chassis. The Garage owner recommended me to a Fiat Main dealer for repairs. The Main Dealer had a fairly reputable score on "I Want A Great Car", (no offence IWantGreatCare).

The Main Dealer said that he could repair the section of the chassis. The repair would involve spot welding a new section to the body, however there were some risks:
• Brake fluid leakage
• Battery drain
• Electrical shorts
• Shock absorber weakness
• Oil leaks, all of which could be permanent.
• On-going rust
• Failure of the chassis spot welding to weld itself to the body
• Failure of metal
• Engine seizure, which could be fatal and also the risk of further workshop visits and proximal rust

After 2 weeks there was a really loud crack from the chassis. The dealer said that it was just bedding-in sounds. Nothing to be alarmed about. The car continued to break down until it spluttered to a halt. It hadn’t worked for 18 months and during this time both the Local Fiat dealer and Fiat main dealer said there was nothing wrong.

Finally I tow the car to a Ferrari dealer. The mechanic sees straight away that the angle of the car is twisted. The car is hoisted up on the ramps. The mechanic declares that the Dealer who did the repair has probably not worked on cars this big before. The mechanic states:
• During the initial repair the chassis was not lined-up correctly.
• The repair should have added additional shock absorber to take the weight of the car
• The combination of chassis misalignment and lack of additional support for the new section to the body, the spot welds were always going to give way.

Is there a vintage car specialist out there who can help? Possibly a Clinical negligence solicitor who has some knowledge of Sagittal Alignment and Lumbar lordosis?

Thanks

Nope, beats me.

peter_the_piper

My wife had a chief mechanic offer to repair her lower chassis but warned of the problems you have had. Maybe you should have just scrapped it.

LilElvis

A more specialised forum would probably be better placed to assist you if you are looking to get your car fixed. This one is for Chrysler muscle cars, but they will have similar issues to your Chevy https://www.moparuk.com

[Deleted User]

I can't understand why anyone with a 1958 Chevrolet Impala would take it to a Fiat franchise for anything at all let alone something major.

LilElvis

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I can't understand why anyone with a 1958 Chevrolet Impala would take it to a Fiat franchise for anything at all let alone something major.

Quite. Unless they've only recently purchased the car then I would have expected them to be a member of a specialised forum in order to source spares etc. Used to own a 1970 plum crazy Dodge Charger and that was a mission to keep on the road, even with living in the States. Hours spent scouring the parts catalogues and driving miles to junk yards to strip parts off wrecks. It was a lovely car and always got lots of attention.

thermo

I just couldn't live with myself if I scrapped it. I have thought about driving it off a cliff a couple of times though.

The Fiat dealership is part of the New Hope Service which is the National recommended garage after 1958 miles.

Thank you all for your replies.

forgotmyname

Dont you love the school holidays.

Dont forget to tighten your seatbelt if choosing option 1.

waamo

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I can't understand why anyone with a 1958 Chevrolet Impala would take it to a Fiat franchise for anything at all let alone something major.

Or a Ferrari dealer either. It would be helpful if the op provided English subtitles to the post.

donnac2558

Please do not despair.



You need to contact Dean Winchester his Impala is called Baby, have you given yours a name? Anyway, he does all his own repairs on Baby as he trusts no one touching it.;)

Geodark

donnac2558 wrote: »

Please do not despair.



You need to contact Dean Winchester his Impala is called Baby, have you given yours a name? Anyway, he does all his own repairs on Baby as he trusts no one touching it.;)

Can be a bit of a spirited car though, and she has been through quite a bit...