The Hoopty (build thread)

[Skrapbob]

The parking lot incident happened just as I was collecting parts for the advanced suspension mod.

A set of Rokkor VW coilovers for the front and custom KYB VW shocks built for the rear. I went through with the install during Christmas break 2015. The Hoopty drives great. It has actually made it so responsive to the road, it's almost like having more power under the hood.

[Brianliska]

Very nice great looking Hoopty!

[Skrapbob]

Bad luck has struck again! A driver turned left in front of me February 2016. The Hoopty struck his Nissan Versa as he stuck the nose of his car into my lane as I was cresting a hill. I slammed the brakes hard but with a deep ditch on the right all I could do was hit his vehicle. When the impact occurred he was almost stopped and i was still travelling about 35 mph.

The front bumper was pushed to the right casing the right park light to gap fro the headlight. And a serious toe out on the left front wheel. I borrowed a spade shovel from a witness and pulled the fender away from the tire in order to drive it home(half mile).



The driver of the Nissan did not fare so well, he was ticketed and his vehicle had to be towed away.



The insurance adjusted enjoyed the stories of The Hoopty and all of the pieces from other cars that have been modded and installed to improve it. The local salvage yard had even heard when I called them asking about parts.

The Hoopty has been designated a total loss again by the insurance company and the agent was not surprised when after seeing pictures of the car I agreed to buy it back for $200.

As of this posting I have not inspected the damage very close. I am hoping the Rokkor strut is still usable. I know the Moog LCA I just installed is shaped like a banana form the front wheel pushed back. The drivers door made out pretty good, a ding or two and some paint missing from the other drivers hubcap when it exploded. Pretty lucky really overall.

[Skrapbob]

I will be driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT for the summer while I make repairs, hopefully a 5 speed swap and b6d while i'm at it.



My daughter suggests to change the name when I am done. From "The Hoopty" to "Hoopty 2.0"

The Hoopty will be back!

[ThisVelologist]

Such a bad thing to happen to such a clean car. Condolences...

[Flyin4stroke]

Lame!

[william]

That sucks but I'm impressed how well it held up against a bigger car. Can't see much from the pictures but hopefully there's no major structure damage looks like the lower control arm bent instead of where it attaches! Good luck with the rebuild and you'll love the b6d

[skeeters_keeper]

Great story, sad ending! I'm looking forward to seeing you fix it up again.

[ryanprins13]

Sucks that that happened. That is a very nice looking car. Im also looking forward to seeing the rebuild. Good choice on hitting him rather than taking the ditch. If you had taken the ditch and wrecked your car you wouldn't have gotten any money out of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Skrapbob]

Most of society has given up on our cars a long time ago, but they don't know about this forum. I see this as an opportunity to finally get a stronger engine and manual transmission in it.

[Skrapbob]

Progress has been slow but steady. The wheel took the brunt of the hit, pushing it to the rear and shortening the wheelbase by 1 1/2". The sway bar mount was pulled aft and the frame and lower radiator support surrounding the mount took some damage.



Hoopty spent a few days at a frame shop while they "fit" her in. $350 later and the wheelbase is consistent on both sides now. :-)



Mojo can be demanding, but I'm glad he's there to push me along.



So far I have less than $700 in buying the car back, a used fender, frame straightened, and used sway bar (blasted and powdercoated).



Hoopty is now ready for the next phase (inspection). If all goes well with inspection I will begin the search for a b6d and start accumulating parts for the 5spd swap.

[bhearts]

Progress has been slow but steady. The wheel took the brunt of the hit, pushing it to the rear and shortening the wheelbase by 1 1/2". The sway bar mount was pulled aft and the frame and lower radiator support surrounding the mount took some damage.



Hoopty spent a few days at a frame shop while they "fit" her in. $350 later and the wheelbase is consistent on both sides now. :-)



Mojo can be demanding, but I'm glad he's there to push me along.



So far I have less than $700 in buying the car back, a used fender, frame straightened, and used sway bar (blasted and powdercoated).



Hoopty is now ready for the next phase (inspection). If all goes well with inspection I will begin the search for a b6d and start accumulating parts for the 5spd swap.

You're fancy getting that sway bar repainted. Jealous

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Skrapbob]

A good day! Hoopty passed inspection today! He has been totaled THREE times! I miss driving him! Part of me wants to tag it and get back on the road, but I have wanted a manual and stronger engine for most of the five years I have driven it. So I stopped by on the way home to pick up the 80k B6D that I am hoping will power Hoopty for many more years in his race against time.

[sc72]

For being wrecked, that's a darn good looking car or Hooptie. You will like the B6D and if you need any help with the swap well just give me a shout.

[william]

Very nice car and 80k b6d nice score. You'll love it.