Creamed me in his mom's minivan!

June 27, 2012 10:26 PM

Corvette body shops in the Chicago, IL, USA area?

(sorry for the wall of text!)

Some dumb, moronic 16 or 17 year old driver blasted into the rear end of my 1996 Corvette and did a lot of damage while I was stopped (with my turn signal on) waiting to make a left turn without a dedicated left turn lane. His explanation was, "I wasn't sure what I was thinking." I'm pretty sure I know what he WASN'T thinking like "keep your eyes on the road in front of your vehicle." I insisted that he stay until the police showed up, and, while he didn't have an insurance card in his vehicle, he phoned his parents and got the info. I'm guessing it was valid because the police officer gave me his info with Allstate listed as his valid insurance.

The car seems to still drive OK, but I'm not sure what will crop up in the future as a result of this. It appears that I'm going to need three estimates from body shops for an estimated cost of repair. From talking to body shop guys I know who work on conventional steel vehicles, since this has occurred, they all seem to think I should find body shops that specializes in corvette body (fiberglass, I guess) repair, and it makes a lot of sense to me.

I hope the hive mind can help me find three (or more) such businesses in the Chicagoland area. IIRC, there was a body shop that worked exclusively on corvettes in Glen Ellyn, on one of the major east-west roads there. I plan on checking that place out to see if it's still there, but I'd really appreciate any other ideas.

The other driver was ticketed for failure to yield, so I'm hopeful that I can get a corvette only shop to fix the damage without a huge fight.

I don't want to try and make a profit here, I simply want my car back in the same shape it was before this joker hit me because of his inattention.

Many thanks to all!

posted by InsertNiftyNameHere to grab bag (13 answers total)

Albers Automotive in Kankakee does spectacular Corvette body work, though that's 60 miles south of Chicago.
posted by asuprenant at 10:36 PM on June 27, 2012

Your local Chevy dealer probably has some recommendations
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 11:07 PM on June 27, 2012

asuprenant: "Albers Automotive in Kankakee does spectacular Corvette body work, though that's 60 miles south of Chicago."

Many thanks, kind sir. I shall pay them a visit. 60 miles is nothing when you see the rear end of my car. Thanks again! Rick
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 12:26 AM on June 28, 2012

tylerkaraszewski: "Your local Chevy dealer probably has some recommendations"

I appreciate the help, but, you do realize that the body shops at dealerships are some of the WORST places to take your car if you want a high quality job done, right?

They do have one huge good point, though, they charge far more than any other body shop, so I will consider getting an estimate from the dealer where I bought the car. Thanks! Rick
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 12:30 AM on June 28, 2012

you do realize that the body shops at dealerships are some of the WORST places to take your car if you want a high quality job done, right?

This must be a serious YMMV. Around here essentially none of the dealerships do their own body work (or glass); it's all farmed out. And most have a couple places they go to, the first is good and the second is cheap.
posted by Mitheral at 7:13 AM on June 28, 2012

I found this shop on the website for the Chicago Corvette Club. You might also try contacting the folks in that club, as they are likely to have some ideas. In my experience, Corvette club members are friendly folks that know a lot about what shops are good in the area.
posted by freezer cake at 9:29 AM on June 28, 2012

Mitheral: "you do realize that the body shops at dealerships are some of the WORST places to take your car if you want a high quality job done, right?

This must be a serious YMMV. Around here essentially none of the dealerships do their own body work (or glass); it's all farmed out. ."

That's EXACTLY what they do near me, but they don't tell you that your car/windshield/etc. is being fixed by another shop, and they charge you triple or so what the "real" shop cost. All the dealers do is provide a drop off/pick up service in their lot. It should be criminal! And the few cars I've seen in the body shop at the dealership seem like they're made of extremely large puzzle pieces. I wouldn't trust those guys to make a dog house!
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 12:30 PM on June 28, 2012

freezer cake: "I found this shop on the website for the Chicago Corvette Club. You might also try contacting the folks in that club, as they are likely to have some ideas. In my experience, Corvette club members are friendly folks that know a lot about what shops are good in the area."

Awesome idea! I feel pretty bad for not thinking of that myself before I asked. Thanks again! Rick
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 12:31 PM on June 28, 2012

I was not suggesting you drop your car off at a Chevy dealer. I was suggesting you call them and ask, "who do you know that does good body work on corvettes?" around here dealers generally will discourage you from bringing in a car for bodywork because they don't want to deal with it, so I'd assume they'd at least give honest recommendations.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 10:28 PM on June 28, 2012

Hey, I just realized I may have sent you to the wrong place in Kankakee! If Albers didn't work out, try Tanner's:

http://www.tannerscollision.com/


I'm pretty sure they all know each other and refer business to each other anyway, so maybe you've already found them.
posted by asuprenant at 12:04 PM on July 2, 2012

tylerkaraszewski: "I was not suggesting you drop your car off at a Chevy dealer. I was suggesting you call them and ask, "who do you know that does good body work on corvettes?" "

Ah, OK, gotcha. Sorry I misunderstood!
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:37 PM on July 2, 2012

asuprenant: "Hey, I just realized I may have sent you to the wrong place in Kankakee! If Albers didn't work out, try Tanner's:

http://www.tannerscollision.com/


I'm pretty sure they all know each other and refer business to each other anyway, so maybe you've already found them."

Thanks for the follow up! And, no, I've not found them. A storm caused a tree to fall on my house and punch a couple of holes in the roof. I was without electricity from Friday night until today about 1:30 PM. Thanks again.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:39 PM on July 2, 2012

freezer cake: "I found this shop on the website for the Chicago Corvette Club. You might also try contacting the folks in that club, as they are likely to have some ideas. In my experience, Corvette club members are friendly folks that know a lot about what shops are good in the area."

I think that's the shop I mentioned. I thought it was in Glen Ellyn, but Downers Grove is right there as well, so I bet was mistaken. Many thanks!!
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:41 PM on July 2, 2012