Project DR Lancer
As circumstance would have it, this arrived at my place the other day, for a total of $300.
I figured it might be a cheap way to get my sister into her first car, and she tended to agree. It was a recent write off, so the first job was to assess the damage.
Obviously the bonnet, headlight, indicator and left guard were rooted, but the bumper look salvageable. What use is a perfect bumper on a first car anyway? Inside, the frame surrounding the light was mangled good and proper. Once I had the guard off it was obvious the frame inside the guard was bent in, crushing the air resonator box and fuse box.
I started the repair by removing all the panels from the front so I could measure and compare the damaged side to the good side.
And then began a scientific and sophisticated method of pulling the bent sections out.
The results from the first pull were impressive. With many cycles of gentle tugs and measuring, I had the important mounting points back within 10mm of the other side.
From here I started the hammer work, belting the frame in all manner of directions to try to match the shapes back up, and using a hydraulic jack to lever the heavy parts upwards. Finally, it was time for the first trial fit.
In the fading light I started to bolt everything back together and glue the cracks in the plastic. I finished for the night leaving some parts in traction for the glue to dry, the indicator waiting to pop back in, and the rest of the front end looking very neat indeed.
This morning I'll popped the final parts together and get some photos of the finished product.
Cost so far has been:
Car: $300 Light: $150 Indicator: $38.50 Guard: $150 Bonnet: $220 Total: $858.50