Amadeus going to the doctor

[HeelBird]

I spent some time late yesterday afternoon mulching the leaves that were just waiting to be shredded. I figured at this point that no more would fall into the collection. After putting the lawnmower back into place in the garage, I returned Amadeus into his place in the nest.

Trying to maneuver into the tight space next to BC (the '56) and Odyssey (the '65 Mustang), I managed to rake the passenger door against the mower:cussing: :cussing: :cussing: :cussing: . I could only try to suppress my anger with myself, but what was done was done. I took him to the dealer's bodyshop today, and have an appointment for repairs on Thursday---about $250 in damage.
:cussing: :cussing: :cussing: :cussing: :cussing: :cussing: ME!

[winterm]

Greg,

I know that "hurt" you! It would definately have hurt me as well!
I'm sure they'll have your Bird good as new in no time!

Keep us informed!

[NCBlueBird]

Man, can I identify with that. Mine just got back from the bodyshop here in Raleigh from where the dealership damaged it at my first oil change. Fortunately, they seem to have gotten it right this time on my second trip. Good as new -- I hope. Gonna wait a couple of months and do the Zaino thing again and see.

Good luck.

It was great to see you at the Carolina game Saturday. Maybe we can do it again.

NCBlueBird

[whvt01]

I knocked a box of heavy old tool off on a new 5 series
BMW once, it made a small dent, couldn't believe it was
so little damage. I finally got use to it and never fixed.

Worst was when a shelf of paint came loose from the wall
and landed on the hood of a year old Riveria. Now that
could not be ignored. If were to happen to the Tbird or
any car today feel a whole new hood would be in the
picture.

[NMTBirdLA]

i feel your pain, too.

when driving in an unfamiliar part of town, i was forced to make a right turn which was also going uphill. being careful not to hit the curb on the driver side of the car, i did not see the curb on the passenger side and i scraped up my rim!!! man was i mad (severe understatement.) :cussing:

i've since replaced the rim (not a cheap mistake.)

i'm also wondering (still) if i should have the ford dealership do bodywork on the 1" scrape that was caused by the hardtop. the scrape goes across 2 different body panels, and i'm worried that they'd make the problem worse. will probably leave the scrape and call it "character."

[brd4jk]

nmt thats the bad part of us having the black bird. raven has the same thing on her from the her top. my buddy the body shop manager said they could fix it but i decided to leave it for now.

[NMTBirdLA]

oh, and another thing about the black cars, they (unfortunately) have some orange peel in the finish from the factory. so if i had them try to fix this 1" scratch across 2 body panels, i can't imagine that they'd match the orange peel, too!!!

so yes, i guess the scratch will stay :sad:

[dartguy699]

I SHARE YOUR PAIN!!
while driving on the interstate i hit a piece of metal with the lr tire which put a 6" scratch on the rim and took a small nick out of the edge of it. it also put a minor scratch on the quarter which i was able to polish out enough where it is not noticable. the rim however was very expensive but i would rather pay for that instead of having paint work done on my pride and joy!
jim

[HeelBird]

Well, we got snow today from the storm that is sitting off of the coast--only a couple of inches, but snow, nonetheless. (The Outer Banks are getting about 8 inches). His appointment was for 7:30 this morning, so prior to heading to work I started the flight thru the blowing flurries and on the unplowed highways. I discovered a couple of things that I hadn't noticed before----if I spin the wheels in the snow, an indicator light on the instrument panel flashes to alert me (kinda neat--it was worth another tap of the accelerator when leaving a stoplight). It also takes VERY little pressure on the pedal to break traction in snow----just too much power under the hood:naughty:

Anyway, he made the trip without incident and is now in the hands of the doctors. I don't think enough of their workers showed up today (since we Southerners have no business driving in even the lightest of snow), so he should be coming home by Monday.

I did tell the manager of the bodshop that he was to consider the car like a Brit would think of the queen's Rolls---if it's not perfect when I get him back, to the Tower with them all for heads to roll:roll:

[brdman2]

Is that with traction control on or off?

[Gobird]

That would be with it on. I've tried it out up here in Pa. this year in the snow. The light goes on and you hear a sort of grinding noise from the rear when it kicks in.

[ThunderBubba]

What's this "snow" stuff they keep talking about?:cul: All we are getting is a little cold air.:lol:

[Gobird]

:tongue: I'll put some in a cooler and overnite it to you.:lol: :lol: :lol:

[HeelBird]

Send warm air!!! Local weather reported that Frisco, on the Banks, got a foot and has drifts of 4 feet.....not bad for the beach!

[AZTB]

SNOW...someone has snow?? Can you send some to me, too? I've heard it's white and cold...is that true?

[Terry]

Watch out jimdube/bob. FLA almost got it. 33 in Jacksonville, could get you, too, with this major wierd weather. Time to "Knock Wood", So To Speak!!!

[HeelBird]

:nervous: :nervous: ALright...time for an update. I delivered Amadeus to the doc on Thursday as the snow came to town. Few of the employees at the body shop made it, so I didn't anticipate anything being done that day. The manager told me that it'd take about "a day" to do the work, so I hoped for news on Friday. Having heard nothing from them as of yesterday, I called for a checkup. The receptionist told me that she thought he was in the paint shop when I called, and said she'd have someone call me back. I called them today at 1PM, and spoke to the manager. He indicated that the car was in the paint shop, and mentioned that he'd ordered a Thunderbird "emblem" to replace the one on the car:puzzled: :puzzled: ....what "emblem" I asked..It sounds as though they're now painting the lower part of the car down the passenger side to blend the paint, so I won't be able to tell that any work has been done..The only "emblem" I can picture is the Thunderbird script on the rear quarter panel, but WHY would it need to be replaced when they're doing repairs for a scratch on the DOOR??!

Daddy's getting REALLY worried!:nervous:

[brd4jk]

wow........sure glad i know my body shop manager....... i dont know how you do it. i couldnt stay away and not check out my bird everyday........and i knowing the body shop manager........
.....................you got better control then me
:lol: :biggrin:

[Joybird]

Heelbird, if its any consolation, my dealer did quite alot of paint work and it turned out great....Joy

[HeelBird]

Well, I DID tell them to make sure that it was a perfect job, otherwise, it'll be to the Tower with them!:naughty:

Oh, and I do know the owner of the dealership very well, too.

[HeelBird]

I made a quick stop at the bodshop today, after seeing my baby sitting outside. The repair work looked pretty good, but it was a cloudy day today and I want some sunshine to make a proper assessment. I did see a bit of what appeared to be fuzz/lint, or some such "not supposed to be there" and called the manager to get it out! The Thunderbird script is indeed missing from the right fender. Mr. manager explained that the replacement was due in tomorrow at lunch-----we'll see.

I still have to determine WHY the factory one had to be removed!

[BLUNBIRD]

This must be very traumatic for you. I am sorry you are having so much trouble. Do you live anywhere near the explosion today?

[winterm]

Heelbird,

Keep us informed! Many times after painting and clearcoating
a section, the painter will "wet sand" the area to smooth and
blend the surface. Next they usually use a "Mirror-Glaze" product
and either hand rub or buff the finish to a high gloss.

In any respect, make them do the job to your satisfaction. It's
your baby and I know you want it done right.

Looking forward to your next post!

[Gobird]

HeelBird, Ask him if they saved the old script off the fender. This is what I used to install on my interior. The reason for removing it may be the same as what was done with mine when I had the repair done from the PT hitting me last winter. The body shop said they had to clear coat the whole fender so it would blend in right. Mine came out perfect. And I got a T-Bird Script out of the deal.

[HeelBird]

I'll ask about the script, Gobird---hadn't thought about that.

Thanks for asking Blunbird---my bank office is about a mile from the site. We could see the smoke all too well from the driveup window. The plant is located adjacent to the airport, and the military jets from Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro use the runway quite a bit for touch-and-go practice, so we were afraid that a loaded F-15 might have gone down. The plant employs around 225 folks, and about 130 were there at the time. The "official" toll right now is 3 dead, with around 50 injured, including 10 that are in the burn center at UNC (reportedly in critical condition). Quite a few of our customers work at the plant, so we're concerned about their well-being. Just another reminder that there are more important things than worrying about my car.

[AZTB]

Terry:
I was born and raised in Phoenix...our weather is much different than Florida's. While, yes, we have had snow in the past, in the 52 years I've been here, it's only happened twice.

The chances of it happening in Jacksonville are MUCH higher than they are in the Sonoran desert!

[HeelBird]

Rainy here today. Got the call about 1 PM that the patient was ready to come home. Picked him up about 4. From what I can tell, everything is alright, but want to wait for the weekend and some sunny weather to be sure.

Did retrieve the script nameplate....thanks for that suggestion!!!

[HeelBird]

Today was cloudy, but we did have a brief period of sun. The job looks fine, so I guess I can sleep better tonight........except for thinking about the West Co. explosion and the Columbia tragedy...