Hi Bobb We don't know each other formally, but I was down there with you in the woods pretty early on to help the track EMT's if need be until the Rescue squad arrived, as I've had some training myself. You may remember me talking with you for a while .....I stayed there until they had you out and you gave a waive. I cant begin to tell you how happy I am with the recovery you are making. They had a HECK of a time getting the door open as the firewall on that side had shifted quite a bit from the impact. Once they got the door open, they bent it all the way back against the fender - that may be what you see in the hinge area. They also used a hydrolic ram between the rear and front door jam to spread the opening up wide enough to get you out without difficulty. that also may contribute to what you are seeing in the door jam area - it may not all be due to the crash but from their efferts to get you out. Since you're up to a discussion of the accident and the car - what's been puzzling me since then (and seeing it in the pictures) is the steering wheel - looks like it took quite a bit of your foward momentum and Im just curious if your belts were cinched up tight - if you moved that far foward or was the whole front of the car pushed that far back ?? I know down by your feetit moved quite a ways... I only ask and bring it up for the sake of safety - if this may be an area that needs re-thinking for all you go-fast friends Feel well and heal quickly
Bobb, were sure glad you are recovering well. looking foward to seeing you at the next Buick event. Randy
I agree with everyone else, the Man upstairs was looking out for you! Never forget that! :TU: When I first read about it I wondered if the steering column had collasped as designed. I'm in the process of building a car and now safety has been moved to the top of the list. (it's always been on the list!!!) Now I'm not sure if I should use the factory column or go to a racing setup. Anyhoo, at least I'm thinking about it! I've always said, I can build another car, I can't build another me!
Alan To answer your question about the steering we measured the frame rails today fromt the tip of the passenger side to the front of the bumper on the drivers side measure 41 inchs. take that and then add the front tire and suspension that did not collaps. you have a very smushed car the fire wall on the drivers side is under the dash. Also I pull my belts tight before every run. if you look at the floor in the intieror picture you will see the carpet humped up that would be the floor that is were I was trapped my feet were between that and the seat. I know they really bent the door back and they spread the car because when the cut the door bar with only one spreader in there the car move in on me about 3 to 4 inchs. I got a little concerned at that point. I also rememer being able to see the ground out the bottom of the door it was bent so bad I'm sure they did help the door jam but i'll bet that was bent pretty good on impact. John stevens said when they started picking up the pieces of the car the drivers side front fender lay 10 feet in front of the car. car stopped but the fender kept going it striped and sheared the fender bolts right off. I guess a tree at 100 plus is just bad.
I went back and looked at the pictures I posted and thought I would add a few more that might show more. The one from the top take note were the dash inside is and the fact there is no fire wall visible.
Hey Bobb, Forgive me in advanceif this a stupid question, but was anything salvageable in any area, or is it a total loss?
Any idea when you will start taking the thing apart? Take plenty of pics then, that will be pretty dramatic I'm sure. I sure hope you have some good pieces left over when you get it apart. I know everyone on here wants to see you build another car.
Well to be very honest there is more salvageable than you would think. I think that the motor may be ok and the bolt on parts around the car can be taken off. It appears that from the doors back will be ok parts that is. I'll be back with a new car but it will be a little more aggressive than the big pig was. I had started it a couple three months ago so it's well underway. We were standing looking at the car today and I told the guy's that there was a loss of at least three thousand in the first 12 inch's of the car. NOS grille NOS core support almost perfect head light bezels aluminum radiator with tranny cooler Black max fan rechrome bumper catch can Thats just the big stuff in the first 12 inches makes a man want to cry :ball: :ball: . That's right and I did more than once infact :ball: :ball:
Bobb, looks like your out and about from the pics, glad to see your mending well. the dents on the pass. side are from the car being wedged between trees, on at the pass door and one on the quarter, the rear of the car was actually hanging in the air when I arrived at the scene. and we could not open either door becuase of the trees. keep on the road to getting better my friend! Bruce
those pictures leave me at a loss for words. glad you're getting better Bobb, a lot of people are pulling for you!
Bruce Don't let my doctor see these pictures if you look close in a couple of those pictures you can see my wheel chair. I'm not supposed to be out walking around the car like that but I just had to look. Really hard to tell with that jacket on but I'm down around thirty pounds, but I'm down pants sizes and everything. Really hard to tell people how bad it is and these pictures only scratch the surface. My chassis guy came over and helped unload it and he just shook his head allot. But I owe him my life. It held together we found one broken weld on a gusset but its hard to tell if it happed when they cut the car apart. IT'S A GOOD DAY TO BE ALIVE AND TOMARROW OPENS DEER FIREARM SEASON THAT WILL BE BETTER :laugh:
The human body is amazing. I can't believe your typing let alone walking around (I won't tell). We need to make cars more like tha human body so they can heal and run again. My best to you in your recovery.
Thank Heaven Thank Heaven that you are here to talk about it! You are a very LUCKY Man to still be here to talk about it! God was surely looking after you! Cars can be replaced you can't! .....I am sure that I can speak for everyone on this Board when I say,We are glad that you are still with us! I know how hard it is trying to recover from an Accident like this, I was thrown 289 feet from my bike when I was hit by a Semi back in 1999, But just remember that there are many that have not been as lucky as We have been! I hope that your road to recovery continues at a steady pace! I read where you say you owe your life to your Chassis Man, God Bless him and his skill ,just remember who Guided his hands when he built the chassis............GOD! God Bless you on the road to recovery! :TU: The Pictures should be shown to all the Young drivers that we have out there so they can see what putting Safety First in a car can do for them and all of us! Don
Hi Bobb, Glad to see that you are up and about, even if it is against the advise of some. The best medicine can sometimes be getting right back up on that horse!! After looking at the pictures, I am amazed that everything turned out the way it did, THANK GOD!! A car can be a special thing to some of us, but we need to keep in mind that it's only steel, aluminum, sheetmetal, plastic, etc. It can all be replaced!! Human life cannot!! I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times, but it's true. I am in process of building my new drag car also. This situation brings safety first and foremost durring this build, as it should be. I would like to thank you for setting a good example for all of us, by not ever giving up and throwing in the towel. That would be the easy way out. HANG IN THERE!! Anything I can do for you or your family, let me know!
Bobb! Hey Bobb, I had a very bad time this morning when I saw the pics of the car, had to make a dash at the coffee pot, which still didn't help, but, I got some grit to bear it and checked it out! You are one lucky fellow, and thanks to your Rollbar guy, for all he did, and I think you need to tell us all what he did! See ya soon, Love R :3gears: :spank:
Bobb, it made me sick when I saw it in the woods. It makes me sick now. I'm glad to still have you around. I've lost enough friends already. I'm looking forward to hanging out with you again and I'm happy I'll have the opportunity to do so. After all.....you ARE a good lookin' man! :laugh:
Bobb I have been following this since it happened. We have never met but you were in my families prayers for a full recovery. We are glad to hear you are on the mend. You are a very lucky guy. God truly was riding with you. Those are some dramatic pictures. From the sounds of it you will be re-building. That is great. Put all your safety equipment in and get that full faced helmet. Good luck and God bless ya man
