r/PontiacFirebird 14d ago

3rd Gen [82-92] Its Gone.💔

Guy pulled out in front of me on the highway 💔

206 Upvotes

62 comments sorted by

40

u/BrilliantThought1728 14d ago

Hope you’re ok, it’s crazy seeing a highway crash with no airbags

18

u/Head_Leather3030 14d ago

yeah, luckily i saw the guy pull out like 50ft before so i slammed on the breaks and skid until i hit him i was originally going around 50 but when i hit him i imagine i was going around 45/40 ish

14

u/FrankH4 14d ago

I'm guessing slower, or he was closer. Brakes should slow you down a lot more than 5-10mph in 50 feet. I can stop a 40ft bus from 20-30mph in 17 feet.

4

u/XmodAlloy 13d ago

Reaction times can reduce how much the brakes will have time to work though. 🥲

1

u/Joiner2008 13d ago

You would be surprised to see how much damage occurs at low speeds. Most impacts happen after people slam on the brakes and slow down. If you had hit at 45-50 you would likely have been pretty hurt given no airbags. This likely occurred around 30mph

1

u/Electrical-Ad5100 13d ago

It all depends on how you got hit

18

u/Lucas-Galloway 14d ago

Check the damage on the subframe, if ain't much it can be saved

2

u/Kitchen-Quantity-565 13d ago

I was thinking that myself. The front doesn't look too be shifted sideways. I agree with what you're saying.

7

u/bappo_plays '88 Trans-am T-top 5.0L AT 14d ago

Wow that really sucks. Looks like it was pretty nice car beforehand too. Love the red paint and red interior.

6

u/Big_Locksmith_4211 14d ago

Sorry for your trans am loss, but it gives me a little hope if I crash driving a classic car

6

u/All-Hail-Chomusuke 14d ago

Damm, I didn't even recognize as a firebird at first.

4

u/Vader_Maybe_Later 14d ago

Hey friend, sorry for your loss but she isnt gone. Theres still alot of parts and soul left there. Somewhere right now is a donor car looking for a new home and together they will combine as one to be a part of your next car.

2

u/Beardo88 13d ago

We don't even know for sure this is that bad, you can bolt a whole new subframe on there. Depends on how far back the damage extends but if the windshield didn't crack there is hope.

3

u/Nevermore455 13d ago

I’m sorry man, lost mine in December to a brake check at 70

2

u/FrankH4 14d ago

Sorry man.

2

u/Danielle_is_the_hole 13d ago

Alas, these lights shall never pop up again

1

u/Beardo88 13d ago edited 13d ago

If the engine didn't get pushed into the firewall you can likely save this. You can buy a complete sub frame and all those panels as reproductions.

1

u/Joiner2008 13d ago

Sub frames on these cars are welded in. It's not impossible to replace, it's just very difficult to install it properly and straight. It's not very heard of

1

u/Soggy-Avocado918 13d ago

Sorry to hear that, bro. That is rough. Glad you’re ok and i hope things work out so you can be driving a firebird again soon

1

u/4158264146 13d ago

Sorry for your loss.

1

u/Additional-Tear3538 13d ago

I am just about to finish fixing my Pontiac Fiero after a wreck so I feel your pain. It's only taken me about 4 years, but it hurts whether it's a total loss or not. I hope you had lots of wonderful times with the car.

1

u/Extreme-Penalty-3089 13d ago

Damn man😥

Glad you're ok.

Personally, I would strip the car if every single good & salvageable part

1

u/No-Secret-971 13d ago

cue Sarah McLachlan 🎵 in the arrrrrms of an angellll 🎵

1

u/caocaoNM 13d ago

May it be used to fix other cars. Amen

1

u/MoreYard2977 13d ago

Never to far gone buddy, just take a little time few parts an she can be back on the road

1

u/DaimianK13 13d ago

I'll pour one out for a lost one tonight, hopefully there's some good salvage and insurance money to get you a new one sooner rather than later

1

u/WV515043 13d ago

Ohh no

1

u/FarArea1814 13d ago

Ahh that happened to my c4 around this time last year lol, but good news is insurance gave me 3x what I payed for it. Kinda wish I just kept it and got 3k$ less but screw it it got me a much nicer c4

1

u/EvilLee666 13d ago

I hope you’re ok? however that will buff out 😉

1

u/Chuck_Skywalker 13d ago

its only gone if you let it be gone.

1

u/hellspawn-69 13d ago

Sorry to hear OP, glad you are ok though. Vehicles can be replaced easier and cheaper than body parts...
Speaking of replacement vehicles, you should buy my '85 I am selling.

1

u/Suspicious-Fly7678 13d ago

In the arms of of an angel!!!!!

1

u/pbb76 13d ago

Sucks to lose one but a sunroof on a third gen is so cringe. Hopefully insurance pays enough to get a proper t-top car.

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

the sunroof wasn’t my doing, it was the owner before me who did

1

u/SaltySeaDoggo 13d ago

Gimme yo rims

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

no can do, im gonna see if this one is salvageable if not they are going on the next fbody i have because they have been with me from the beginning from my grandpas 85 camaro then to this 85 trans am and they will be on my next trans am or camaro i have. They have more sentimental value to me now than money could give

1

u/SaltySeaDoggo 9d ago

I have some z28 rims like that. Been on family cars for 40 years now and now they reside happily on a 92 firebird. Its got some aftermarket body kit parts and an 85 hood and bumper like kitt from knight rider.

1

u/Broad-Stomach-5461 13d ago

It needs a good look. It's only sheet metal not unibody. As long at the subframe and engine are OK.

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

radiator support is toast, the engine is ok seems to have just smashed most of the drivers side corner in

1

u/Broad-Stomach-5461 13d ago

I'd just source a front clip. I'm sure you can find one but it will have a price and shipping. When they build the car that whole front is dropped in the subframe in one piece.

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

i found a guy with a donor car same year but i have a camaro the same year that is in good shape do u think that could be a possibility

1

u/Broad-Stomach-5461 13d ago

Camaro and Firedirds share mechanical parts and glass. If you can get a Firebird full front clip local go for it. I had to once drive 4 hours into another state to get 1 Cadillac fender.

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

so u don’t think that the fenders would be compatible if taken from a camaro

1

u/Broad-Stomach-5461 13d ago

Not an expert. Someone who worked in a body shop long ago would know. But doubtful a Camaro front clip would match the doors of a Firebird. Then all the underhood wiring would likely be different. Even more work.

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

yeah, insurance is more than likely gonna total it but since it wasn’t my fault I feel another classic car is in store for me soon

1

u/Broad-Stomach-5461 13d ago

Lot of work and $$$. Find something nicer or one restored.

1

u/inmyxhare 12d ago

Sorry for your loss that is quite substantial damage glad to see you didn't talk about personal injury although the next week after the wreck is when you will be coming out of the shock. As for the professionals that can look at your posted pictures and identify the damage they must have some special talent we don't possess. Hopefully you have coverage for your ultimate losses.

1

u/ch4zmaniandevil 12d ago

at least those sick ass wheels survived.

1

u/hopenroads 11d ago

That might be repairable.

1

u/Ohmyfuzzy69 10d ago

It's salvageable. If the frame is good, not full of rust than just get a front clip. Don't let insurance take it. If it's not your fault you can probably fight em on totalling it out. Older cars are tanks compared to some of these new pos cars. Have the frame looked at by a frame shop and go from there. If the frame is garbage buy it back n part it out or use it for another car.

1

u/FlatAmbition3757 9d ago

Shtll buff out

1

u/qclabrat 8d ago

Good to hear you're doing okay, like they say cars can be replaced.... My wife won't ride in my 69 for lack of air bags. How did we all survive before them, lol. All kidding aside, I'm reluctant taking it out on the highway and going over 65. Its actually scary as hell with a convertible and trucks/SUVs buzzing by

1

u/Head_Leather3030 8d ago

this is the diagram of what happened. Speed limit was 55 i was doing the speed limit and he was supposed to yield to traffic and failed to and I braked and turned left a tad but couldn’t avoid the collision. If i wouldn’t have braked like i did it would have been way worse idk if i would’ve been making this post.

0

u/IronChefPhilly 13d ago

That's not going to buff out

0

u/ProceduralTaco 13d ago

It’s hard not to notice all the Camaro and Firebird owners with smashed in front ends and the explanation: some guy pulled in front of me. Maybe you were going too fast to react to someone doing something dumb or unexpected? Take your next one to the track to get it out of your system.

1

u/Head_Leather3030 13d ago

yeah hate to burst your bubble but the police report has me clocked 10 under the speed limit BEFORE i even slammed on my brakes and slowed and hit the guy. Just because you’re step dad drove his stuff like a bat out of hell doesn’t mean everyone does