Ouch...New "modification" to my 58

I'd sure like to see that adjuster's $1,600 estimate..... way low.
$3,600 sounds more like it, depending on cost of parts. Guy that wants $6k just overbid it to avoid the job.

 

Very few body shops want to fool with working on old cars. They want quick turn over and bolt on repair jobs. It gets scary and troublesome having our toys repaired like they were before an accident.

 

Here in KY at the NAPA store the guy uses a digital camera ( gismo) to take a picture of the old paint and lets a machine match to the pigment the camera says it needs. I painted fender skirts on a 62 Rambler and it matched very good.

 

Teej, I am so sorry that happened to your very cool wagon. I have to commend you for your good attitude in the midst of it. I certainly hope you can find someone to fix it right. I'll be interested to hear how this all works out.

Arvid Svendsen

 

Back when I did my 55 Chevy, they did that color thing to match the paint when I dyed or painted the seats red. Came out same color as wagon did.
Even at Wally World they use paint samples to match faded old paint. Some colors and paints just don't match up on cars though. I'd be more concerned about getting the body work done and replacement trim first.
I try not to think about accidents when driving anything.

 

We've had both Cuban and Mexican bodymen up here in Chicago, and they've been able to 'save' most anything!
Consider what they have to work with in Cuba - almost nothing! And I've seen them do amazing things

Got a friend that speaks Spanish? In your shoes, I think I'd give a Spanish shop a shot!!
That adjuster must have just come down from a bender, or something - he's real wrong!!!!!!!!
A good shop will take it apart and call for a re-inspection!!
Me - I'd be calling for both doors, dogleg with part of the rocker, time on the center pillar, and all the mouldings! Plus additional time and money for clips, and finding everything!!!!!!!!!
Paint would be another discussion, altogether, as laquer is no longer available, as we know it!! [no lead]

And yes, the yards in California are co-operative - I'll see if I can find names and numbers to P.M. you!

 

Finding a door isn't going to be impossible, but it is going to be expensive. A good metal man can fix the quarter panel, dog leg, and rocker, better than replacing it. It is going to take time, but it will be better than cutting the car up to install new (used) parts. You are inviting rust problems when you start cutting and welding. I hope that you have the moldings that were damaged, because they can be repaired and straightened, and again, it isn't going to be cheap, but it can be done so you will not know that they were ever damaged. The paint can be matched, but the patina of the paint can't. It is going to look repaired, unless they paint the whole car, and I doubt that the insurance is going to go for that. The shop that quoted $3600 is on the low side, and the shop that quoted $6000, might be closer to reality than you think. There is no question that the adjuster just hasn't a clue, when it comes to old cars. In MA, where I live, you just can't find a shop to work on an old car no matter what you offer. They just don't want to get involved, because they know how difficult it can be with paint matching etc.
If you have one of the collector car insurance policies, you might be best off to put the claim into your company, and let them pay to fix the car. They will then collect from Allstate once you are satisfied. One problem that I can see them hitting you with is "betterment". Betterment is the difference in value of the car because it had old paint, and now it will have new paint. You can counter this with a claim for diminished value, since the car was a 50+ year old survivor, and now it is damaged and repaired, which means that the car is worth less as a result of the accident.
If you need help finding a door, let me know, since I have a friend in SD that visits a yard that is loaded with old cars. This yard is off the radar, but they know the value of what they have. I have gotten a lot of parts for my cars from there.
Junk..

 

PM sent!
Good Luck!