P-51A Crash

[GT/CSR]

Friday 12/19/08 @ 6pm, only 150ft from my driveway, all H*ll broke loose in my P-51. While shifting into 2nd gear on dry roads @ approx 25 mph the car went into a violent spin. (Cause is being investigated, possible throttle issues). I could not recover and the car hit a curb, then a chainlink fence, which launched me head on into a tree 10" in diameter. Fortunately for me, the P-51 did it's job, and I was uninjured. The airbag even missed my face !!!
Insurance is going to fix her, so My P-51 will return to full flight status in a few months. BE CAREFUL out there. Drive by wire can be scary !!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/P-51ACrash038.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/P-51ACrash022.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/P-51ACrash048.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/P-51ACrash006.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/P-51ACrash017.jpg

[p47koji]

Oh, my g_d...! John, is it? You were INDEED fortunate! :) She did her job, yes, and protected you from harm but man, did she take a hit... :(:( The intrusion into the engine bay makes you even more grateful...Is that brown tinge from the bark? I do see part of Jack's signature on the dash, though... Can that be salvaged?

Take care of yourself...

[GT/CSR]

Oh, my g_d...! John, is it? You were INDEED fortunate! :) She did her job, yes, and protected you from harm but man, did she take a hit... :(:(

Take care of yourself...

Yeah, she hit hard for a low-moderate speed impact. Motor is intact...didn't even loose any fluids. Hopefully I'll have her back in a few months. I told The Roush Dealer to take their time. The tree stopped @ the strut tower!!! I was alone, so passenger airbag did not deploy, leaving my signature in tact...whew. At least I still have my Blue '07. Thanks Man !!!!!!! :cool:

[Mrs. SuperSnake]

Man...that is really scary...glad you are alright. Jerry keeps saying we need to do something with ours to put more tire to the ground.

[GT/CSR]

Man...that is really scary...glad you are alright. Jerry keeps saying we need to do something with ours to put more tire to the ground.

There in lies a big part of the problem. "TRACTION" I've never done a burnout in my P-51, but @ 1100 miles the center of the rear tires are smooth !!! Drag radials, I guess from now on. I never drive it in the rain so that might help. Scary as heck though. I can look out my front door and see the crash site . Thanks for your comments. If you have any good solutions Please let me know...Happy New Year :)

[pgrnfarm]

Wow, looks like quite a crash. Glad you are okay. Cars can be fixed.....don't let the insurance company pull anything, fight for your car!!

[optimusprime2111]

Wow, it doesn't look like there is much (if any) structural damage. That would be good news. I replaced my BFGoodrich tires with Nitto ENVO and have been very pleased with their wet and dry traction and performance. They have some cool videos on the Nitto website. They are a bit expensive but I believe tires shouldn't be something you compromise on. They don't wear as fast as other drag radials I've had.

Good luck!

[p47koji]

Although I work for Yokohama Tires, I can be very, utterly, perfectly, and undisputably un-biased...in a pig's eye... :):):D

Seriously, Yokohama high-performance tires are race-bred. While they can be expensive, they do grip. I have S.drives on my car which are moderately priced, handle very well for what I do and have low road noise...

[mln385]

Sorry to hear about your accident, glad you are okay and car can be fixed.

As for the tires if only the centers are worn already check your air pressure....tires should wear evenly if all is correct IE: alignment,psi.

Marc;)

[mgfstg2]

Glad you are OK... The P51 can be repaired--glad you have another so the dealer can take their time and fix it right. Nov 13th, remember meeting you & #138 at Brandon Ford when we had our P51 there. Keep up posted on the cause and repair. Take care.

[Mr DayZee]

I hate you crashed but glad you are ok and GL with the repair process.

[mabarker]

So very sorry to hear about your wreck. But the good part is that you are ok. Like everyone says, cars can be fixed or replaced. Keep us in the loop and let's see the finished product when you get her back.

[aaholland]

nassssty stuff! glad your ok and you seem in good spirits.

[GT/CSR]

Thanks Everyone...I appreaciate your comments. The guys @ Brandon Ford are my new best friends now...I'll be updating the thread as things progress !! :cool:

[GT/CSR]

Well, they started tearing her down...Final damage estimate per Brandon Ford/Nat'nwide Ins. is $ 27,000.00 :eek:
No frame or Motor damage !!!! You can clearly see where the tree stopped @ the drivers side strut tower...

Here are a few photos from 12/31/08

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/DSCF3006.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/DSCF3001.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/DSCF3009.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/DSCF2988.jpg

[jaswegan]

When I saw you first posting all I could say was :eek: - like everyone else has said, the most important bit of news is that you are OK. Has RPP expressed any interest in discovering the possable cause you mentioned? If they don't know about it, it may be something they might like to check on.

Good luck with the repairs - keep everyone posted on the progress.

Jeff Aswegan

[01roushstg1]

Wow glad to see you are alright. 27k :eek: to fix it that is probably half of what you paid for the car ouch.

[mln385]

:eek: Could someone enlighten me as to how there is no frame damage?

As these cars are of unibody construction I would think the fender support and the strut tower are all tied into the frame structure.

From those carnage pictures I would think that car will need to go on the rack for straightening for body panel alignment.

They are saying $27k now I would bet more like $30 or $35k by the time it is final.

Good luck keep us in the loop.

Marc

[roushelle]

Glad you are OK! Sorry about the car, but at least it is repairable!

[GT/CSR]

Slow, but sure progress. Back on the road soon !!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1206.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1215.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1214.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1208.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1209.jpg

[p47koji]

John, do you have her on the road yet or is Mother Nature being uncooperative?

[GT/CSR]

Should be picking her up this Saturday morning the 21st. Got delayed due to a bent right front strut...Courtesy of the Curb I hit !! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for askin' though :cool:

[p47koji]

Ouch... I'm just curious but was it a Roush part? Regardless, I'm sending my best for a sweet ride come Saturday! Betcha miss your baby... :(

Let us know how it goes...

[GT/CSR]

Ouch... I'm just curious but was it a Roush part? Regardless, I'm sending my best for a sweet ride come Saturday! Betcha miss your baby... :(

Let us know how it goes...

Yeah, the struts are Roush Parts. Here she is this morning completely assembled. Just waiting on installation of a camber kit and alignment.
Gettin close !!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1314.jpg

[pgrnfarm]

What a transformation from the photos you posted after the accident! Bet you can't wait to have her back home again.

[pikapp]

Yea, looks good as new. Dealer has done a good job. Have you determined what happened, why it got a way from you like it did??

[p47koji]

So is your baby back home?? Or is it today?? ;) Let us know!

[GT/CSR]

I got home too late tonight for pics, but I'll post a few Friday.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1320.jpg

[aaholland]

hope its all better and it stays that way... congrats!

[p47koji]

You gotta be HAP-PY! How does she ride? :)

[GT/CSR]

Brandon Ford did a great job on the car. Looks and runs AWESOME !!!

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1325.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1327.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk139/GTCSR2007/IMG_1330.jpg

[p47koji]

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/images/smilies/woohoo.gifhttp://forums.bradbarnett.net/images/smilies/woohoo.gifhttp://forums.bradbarnett.net/images/smilies/chirp.gif

Congrats, John!!!

[3ponies]

It looks great! It is good to hear that it went so well. Keep those pics and updates coming. So nice to read about car stuff!
Rick

[p47koji]

John, can I spend your mod money? :) I feel your ride would look real cool if you get your Roush wheels "Virtual Chromed"... http://forums.bradbarnett.net/images/smilies/firedevil.gif

[GT/CSR]

John, can I spend your mod money? :) I feel your ride would look real cool if you get your Roush wheels "Virtual Chromed"... http://forums.bradbarnett.net/images/smilies/firedevil.gif

HaHa...It doesn't take much for me to spend $$ on upgrades. That's a cool idea though !! Hmmmmmm :rolleyes: