I got a black eye...

[ZeGuru]

My father in law decided he no longer liked the look of my car, so he decided to back into it.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/StPaulGuRu/IMG00175.jpg

Ok, it wasn't intentional. He was really upset with himself because he thought I would be. Truth be told, I was actually quite excited about it! Since before I even bought this car, I thought it would be cool to do the 300C conversion to the front end (I thought about importing a Euro version until I learned about the costs associated with that). Now being the cheap bastard that I am, there was no way I was going to do that if there was nothing wrond with my car.

The damage I took doesn't look like it's enought to justify the conversion. Passanger side quarter, bumper cover, some internal crap, a new wire harness, and a new headlight. The hood looks completely untouched. If the hood would have taken damage, I think I would just pay for the other quater and a 300 headlight. But I'm not paying for a 300 hood!

So why am I still excited? SRT front end, sans hood! I've got the hook-up with the SRT bumper (I've got a good friend at the stealership).:banana:

Now if I can just find a clean set of 300 or Magnum SRT take off wheels and tires in the spring, I'll be feeling pretty good.

For those of you wondering where I've been lately... Working my tail off. Being in real estate, the job is a little harder than it used to be. So I end up working a lot more than before the meltdown. I'm also expecting child #2 in two weeks. We are reallly excited this time around since we have a better idea of what to expect.

[mexi]

you should of had him hit it one more time....and wha la needs hood now...lol

[SMosher]

It looks sad. :(

[Super T]

Any excuse is a good one :-) I'm doing the conversion right now as the result of an accident... trust me, you're nowhere NEAR the damage needed to make it worthwhile :-)

[ZeGuru]

It looks sad. :(

it sure does! When I pulled the damaged light out, there was nothing holding it in place! I'm glad I took it out - with my luck, it would have fallen out while I was driving. Now it looks like a giant black eye, I did try straightening the front quater and I was quite amazed how plyable it was.

Any excuse is a good one :-) I'm doing the conversion right now as the result of an accident... trust me, you're nowhere NEAR the damage needed to make it worthwhile :-)

I can't wait to see how yours turns out! I know I didn't have enough damage to go for the 300 conversion, which is why I am OK with the SRT front clip. I'm also pretty jazzed that I can have the shop NOT put the front license plate bracket back on!!!

I found out that my father in law was joking around with his wife earlier in the day. He was making gestures like she was going to hit our car when she was driving. karma!:blam:

[Super T]

^ SRT nose is still an awesome upgrade for sure. I never would have changed if it were all out of pocket. Funny about the plate bracket too... I saw the porter walk outside with a cordless drill and the bracket while I was signing the papers for my car. I jumped up from the table and ran outside and stopped him just before he started drilling. The salesman came out and asked me what was wrong. I said "He's not putting that on my car." The salesman said "He has to, you need the front plate in Illinois, it's required by law." I said "Then you can throw away those papers on the table and I'm driving my other one home."
I didn't get the bracket :-)

Funny about him joking earlier in the day... sorta. I'm sure she's laughing at him pretty hard now!

[viper3ez]

damn, i woulda sold you my 1 week old Cool Vanilla SRT front end before i traded my car. its only a week old and i'm driving up to minnesota to trade the car in

[ZeGuru]

damn, i woulda sold you my 1 week old Cool Vanilla SRT front end before i traded my car. its only a week old and i'm driving up to minnesota to trade the car in

Well it looks like I am getting the RT front end. The shop doesn't want to mess with it :(

When are you coming up here? I'd have some money to pay for it in about 3 weeks.

I also have to sign a form that says I have a plate bracket on order and I will install it as soon as it comes in. And I also have to waive them from any liaibilities from me being stoppd and ticketed.:blam:

[stitchmonkey]

It's very inexpensive when you can find someone to swap with!

Front-end swap chapter 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZUcXnfPTa0)

Front end swap chapter 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysZ_QCh2B8E)

Front End Swap chapter 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wyl31Tbb3s)

front end swap chapter 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuJ17RF1bvQ)

front end swap chapter 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Nk2tf330U)

[ZeGuru]

It's very inexpensive when you can find someone to swap with!

Front-end swap chapter 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZUcXnfPTa0)

Front end swap chapter 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysZ_QCh2B8E)

Front End Swap chapter 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wyl31Tbb3s)

front end swap chapter 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuJ17RF1bvQ)

front end swap chapter 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Nk2tf330U)

I would bet if I had a 300 and wanted a magnum front end, My PM box would be full.

On the other side, I doubt there are too many 300 owners who wish they would have bought a Charger instead :(

One can always hope....

[Super T]

Well it looks like I am getting the RT front end. The shop doesn't want to mess with it :(

When are you coming up here? I'd have some money to pay for it in about 3 weeks.

I also have to sign a form that says I have a plate bracket on order and I will install it as soon as it comes in. And I also have to waive them from any liaibilities from me being stoppd and ticketed.:blam:

Shop doesn't want to mess with it? Huh? What's there to mess with, order the parts, put them on.

[stitchmonkey]

I would bet if I had a 300 and wanted a magnum front end, My PM box would be full.

On the other side, I doubt there are too many 300 owners who wish they would have bought a Charger instead :(

One can always hope....

The guy I swapped with actually posted his wanna trade thread over a year earlier and No bites, he even said heforgot about it! I just happened across it one day and BAMM! Done deal. 300s look real good with the Magnum nose I think!

[ZeGuru]

Shop doesn't want to mess with it? Huh? What's there to mess with, order the parts, put them on.

That was my feeling too. Just getting him to agree to not put on the license plate braket was a major battle.

The guy I swapped with actually posted his wanna trade thread over a year earlier and No bites, he even said heforgot about it! I just happened across it one day and BAMM! Done deal. 300s look real good with the Magnum nose I think!

I agree! There is no better looking wagon than the 300 (The SRT is a close second). I am really surprised that Chrysler didn't continue the magnum under the 300 umbrella.

[Fondy]

sorry to hear about the front end buts its funny how we always turn it around and think about what we could get from it. Im always waiting for someone to back into the magnum just dead center dont hurt anything but the bumper...... ok that wont happen. LOL

hope its like new soon. it does look sad.

[crazy_luck]

Bah, SRT front end swap is over rated....



Oh, wait... (http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t128/orange1038/My%20Charger/DSC_0014copyLarge.jpg):doh:


Well, at least you are looking to make lemonade out of a bad situation.

[ZeGuru]

sorry to hear about the front end buts its funny how we always turn it around and think about what we could get from it. Im always waiting for someone to back into the magnum just dead center dont hurt anything but the bumper...... ok that wont happen. LOL

hope its like new soon. it does look sad.

When I told my wife there wasn't enough damage for the 300 swap, she said "well I will be driving the car this winter you know" I laughed pretty good on that one. The really positive thing is that everyone is laughing about it, including my father in law. I wouldn't be so jubilant if someone was hurt. Although I do feel a little bad for him (father in law)... It's his first insurance claim in 17 years!

Bah, SRT front end swap is over rated....



Oh, wait... (http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t128/orange1038/My%20Charger/DSC_0014copyLarge.jpg):doh:


Well, at least you are looking to make lemonade out of a bad situation.

Ha ha! Even if I can't get the SRT front clip from the shop, as least I'll have a clean front end (no plate). I have to call Nuvie in the morning, so all hope for a SRT front end is not lost.

Updated photo w/o the headlight.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/StPaulGuRu/IMG00177.jpg

[ZeGuru]

Got the car back last night, and THANK GOD! That Sonata was really starting to piss me off! I really have a brand new appreciation for how quick this car is, but I think it's time to upgrade the brakes.

Anyway, from looking at the pictures above, would you believe that was $3,900 in damage (plus $400 for my crappy rental car)? I'm just very happy I didn't have to pay one penny to put it back together.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/StPaulGuRu/IMG00202.jpg

I really like the look without the plate, I wonder how long I can make it before johnny law comes knocking... I do think I should see that guy who builds the SRT grills for the RT's, that much is needed.

By the way, if you are reading this and you own a CV 300C and want to swap the front end, I'm all ears!!!

[SMosher]

YAY! She is all pretty again. :)

[ZeGuru]

Thanks! I am pretty happy to have her back. The knuckleheads at the shop ordered a new plate frame. At least someone wrote "DO NOT INSTALL!!!" all over the bag. Now I have two plate frames that i dont know what to do with.

[Fondy]

LOL nice that you got to keep the front plate off................. for now.

[pigpen]

Could mold the grill into the bumper!

[ZeGuru]

Could mold the grill into the bumper!

huh? Ya lost me on this one. Do you mean the plate itself?

[pigpen]

^^

haha, whooops!


Yes mold your Plate into the lower bumper.

[ZeGuru]

OK, I think I have come up with a plan to keep the front license plate off the car as long as possible. My tabs were due this month, so I went down to the DMV. I've noticed a lot of states have new plates with American flags on them, so I thought I would pick up a set (the bonus being that it supports our nation guard).

My thinking goes something like this... I'm driving through a spped trap (I don't speed anymore, I'm a good boy now) and the cop noticed that I don't have the front plate. When I pass the police cruiser, he quickly glances at my rear plate and sees the flag (which looks like a lot of other out of state plates). Not seeing the standard MN plate he decides not to engage.

At least that's what happens in my head, we will see if this holds true.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/StPaulGuRu/100_7621.jpg

Now I didn't ask for anything but the "Support our Troops" plates and I got the one's pictured above.

I didn't even notice the letter combo until I went to the store (this was after I installed them). 357 DD - The only way it could have been better, is if the combo was 357 RT. But given my affinity of tatas, this was pretty fitting!