sprucegoose Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Wow, the only thing I can say is that I never saw it coming... Till the last second that is. I got nailed today on my way home from work when some idiot ran a red light, and hit me on the passenger side right behind the door. It sent me spinning through the intersection at about 35-40 mph, up onto the median curb on the other side, where the Sprucegoose began the lift-off. I hit a traffic light pole there and it sent me air-borne at a 45 deg. angle to the pavement. I had my arm out that window, fortunately I pulled it back just in time or I would have lost my left hand! As I came to a rest beached up on the pole and the curb, I looked around and the other car was sitting in the middle of the intersection. I couldn't get out the drivers side, so I climbed over the seat and out the other side. By that time the stinkin' deadbeat in the POS gold-colored Taurus or Escort Wagon was off to the races. I never got a look at the plates, (if there even was one), and nobody else reported it either. The cops where there in no time as a nice couple that saw the hit from the other side of the intersection called the troops in. I scrambled around trying to gather witnesses besides them, but eveyone else moved on out... The witness had a digital cam, so she even took pics at the scene for me. She is going to email them to me. I have some I took at home, after I calmed down a bit. I still am surprised that I am not that wild, but I guess it is mostly because I am physically OK, just a little sore on my left leg and my neck. The car is really borderline repairable, especially considering I don't have collision coverage and it would be out of my own pocket unless I find the deadbeat. Here are a few pictures. I'll start out with a once-proud Eldorado badge... '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Full side view of where the pole hit. '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Where the actual initial hit was it wasn't too bad. Bent the spindle and knuckle as the tire is leaning in... '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 The hardest hit area. The window/door are in-operable, and the door is shoved into the seat. '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 The floor-pan is pushed up in the middle, and the new cat is crunched up in the tunnel area. The exhaust is flattened to about 1/2" thick pipe right there... '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Wow, what a dramatic sequence of events. I'm glad you're not hurt, as it sounds like you really could have been! I'll admit your whit and good spirits made me chuckle, even though I realize how serious the sitaution is. That is quite noble of you to repair 'The Goose' back up to ship shape...it looks like it needs a considerable amount of work. Such a pretty car too. " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 So, the first thing I think I'm gonna do (once I found out that my Uninsured/Underinsured motorist insurance doesn't cover squat) is to search out the guilty party. You can bet I will be doing some pretty heavy searching in the area for some time, including calling every body-shop in Milw. area to ask about a gold Taurus/Escort wagon with front end damage! '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Wow, what a dramatic sequence of events. I'm glad you're not hurt, as it sounds like you really could have been! I'll admit your whit and good spirits made me chuckle, even though I realize how serious the sitaution is. That is quite noble of you to repair 'The Goose' back up to ship shape...it looks like it needs a considerable amount of work. Such a pretty car too. Yeah, I'm always joking about stuff, and it pays to have a good sense of humor when stuff like this lands on you. I really do love the car, and it is going to be a tough decision on where to go from here. One thing for sure... It is a short-trip, warm/dry weather, eye-catching ride right now! '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gygmy Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Man, I am really sorry your ride took such a hit. Glad you are OK and that is what really counts. Hope you find the POS that did it and they have insurance. Good luck man, glad you're ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Man, I am really sorry your ride took such a hit. Glad you are OK and that is what really counts. Hope you find the POS that did it and they have insurance. Good luck man, glad you're ok. Thanks gygmy, you just can't put a value on your health/life can you? I have a feeling the loser doesn't have insurance and that is why they fled. Or maybe starting on a weekend binge a little early? I wouldn't mind just getting him/her just to have the state go after them for the fleeing the scene and the criminal aspects though... '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollingthunder1994 Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Spruce, I'm really sorry to hear and see what happened. I'm glad you are okay. It must be the season for As_holes right now. Mine was almost totaled today, all because someone in the right lane ahead of me was driving too slow for the person behing them. It's just crazy man. Anyway i'm glad you are okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Wow goose! That's an incredible story and I'm glad to hear you're in one piece. I see people run red lights everyday. It's disgusting. I got all sick to my stomach reading your post. Ugh....that beautiful eldo..... yeah I hope you find that bum. I would call the local news station and report it and the details of the car/driver that took off. It makes for good news and they might air it in the hopes someone knows the idiot that did it. Just make sure you have the police report/case number on hand to give them. They'll want to verify the story, of course, before airing it. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Spruce, I am glad to hear that you are ok, that was serious. I am amazed by the seriousness of the damage to the undercarriage and that it impacted as deep as the Cat. Take some hot baths you are probably going to be sore over the next couple of days the baths will help to relax your muscles... The car in all likelyhood sacrificed itself for you. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Glad you are ok Goose. Seems to be a lot of that starting to go around. Guy at work just had the same thing happen except the guy who hit him was laughing and gave him the finger as they sped away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Thanks for your well wishes guys. I am certainly glad to be here typing, even if my back is aching. And that soak in the whirlpool tub did help too, you are right Scotty! Yes, there sure is a lot of this stuff going on out there every day... So RollinT, where you actually hit then too? Or did you just have a close-call? That is crazy about that low-life that whipped the bird at your co-worker Larry. Man, that would burn me up in a rage. I would probably be heading home to get my Contender Pistol at that point! You know Scotty, that floor pan probaly took a pretty good slam cause the people that stopped said I was at least 4-5 ft. off the ground, and at a 45 deg. angle. Then it just slammed right down on top of that pole. The cops and some city workers pulled out the remnants while I rocked it up on the curb abd they lifted. I was amazed I got the Goose off that perch without a wrecker, as my rear wheels were off the ground! As I was driving away at first I couldn't figure out why the seat seemed so high and crooked, but now I know... It seems to dog-track a little too, and the steering pulls pretty hard to the left. you know, Kger2, I might just follow your advise on the news story thing. However with a city as big as Milw. they probably won't have much interest... We'll see. Thanks for the idea! '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 sprucegoose, The idiot's car should have got pretty noticeable damage. It's strange the cops could not track him down, or probably just were too busy (donuts etc.) Whatever...glad you are OK. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopdeville Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 So it seems as many have said; your girl came through for you and saved your life. I would settle your muscles and aches for a few days and then take a hard look at saving hers too. The body damage is really minimal considering your experience and the floor can be fixed too. The pipe and such can be cut out and joined with new stuff. Check her out carefully and take her to a shop to measure for twist and square of the subframe parts. If it all checks out favorable then give her a facelift and get her cruisin' again. You are a lucky man and quite obviously chose the best car in the world to have this bad experience with. Take care... MP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 So it seems as many have said; your girl came through for you and saved your life. I would settle your muscles and aches for a few days and then take a hard look at saving hers too. The body damage is really minimal considering your experience and the floor can be fixed too. The pipe and such can be cut out and joined with new stuff. Check her out carefully and take her to a shop to measure for twist and square of the subframe parts. If it all checks out favorable then give her a facelift and get her cruisin' again. You are a lucky man and quite obviously chose the best car in the world to have this bad experience with. Take care... MP Thanks MP! Yes I do feel quite fortunate, I know that is weird hearing me say that, but this car took an amazing hit for so little damage. Especially on that pass. side! If I wouldn't have wailed into that pole it would be really easy to fix. I'll have her checked out pretty good, and make a good educated decision on what to do with "The Goose". I really would have a tough time letting her go. One thing for sure, it wouldn't take much to get her in shape for the drag-strip! I had actually planned on doing that soon, and had just spoke to my son about it yesterday as we were cruising along. We were on the way home from a rather serious Dr. visit (just found out my 18 yr. old son has a heart arrythmia cond.) and we needed something to put a smile on his face. Man, am I glad this didn't happen yesterday with him in that passenger seat... '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopdeville Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Yesterday happened, today is now and tomorrow is yet to be determined by all. Your son is now "blessed" and lucky to have his Dad with him to take him to the Doc to see about some "issues" to address. Yup, life deals us some schtuff sometimes but we all make it work when we need to and we all do so according to priority. Look after your boy there and THEN look after the girl. Cheers and thumbs up to both of you. MP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickLeSabre1960 Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 I had actually planned on doing that soon, and had just spoke to my son about it yesterday as we were cruising along. We were on the way home from a rather serious Dr. visit (just found out my 18 yr. old son has a heart arrythmia cond.) and we needed something to put a smile on his face. Man, am I glad this didn't happen yesterday with him in that passenger seat... So the spruce goose can fly Glad your ok, Do you know the extent of the arithmia of your son?? I'm 17 and had a surgery last year to fix it. They went in through my legs, three days and I was fine. I had super-ventricular-tachtacardia, every once in a while my heart would decide to go over 200beats per min. Hope everything turns out good for ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addison_ii Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Yesterday happened, today is now and tomorrow is yet to be determined by all. Your son is now "blessed" and lucky to have his Dad with him to take him to the Doc to see about some "issues" to address. Yup, life deals us some schtuff sometimes but we all make it work when we need to and we all do so according to priority. Look after your boy there and THEN look after the girl. Cheers and thumbs up to both of you. MP I agree with poopdeville on that one. Hit and Run huh.I guess it's time for me to load up the guns and come to Milwaukee. Anyone else with me?? I will be praying for your son to be A Ok. I hope you do find the POS that hit you. They need a good A$$ kicking right now. Also nice to hear that you are ok after that experience. If you decide to fix the "Goose" do post pics. If not the next Caddy should be named in her honor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 So the spruce goose can fly Glad your ok, Do you know the extent of the arithmia of your son?? I'm 17 and had a surgery last year to fix it. They went in through my legs, three days and I was fine. I had super-ventricular-tachtacardia, every once in a while my heart would decide to go over 200beats per min. Hope everything turns out good for ya Yes, there was definite lift-off! But fortunately it was not over the water in a harbor! You know, that is exactly the cond. that my son has. He is wearing a monitor right now to record the SVT episode when it happens the next time. They cleared him to play soccer (his life-passion right now), so tomorrow we're heading to Chicago for a tournament. Next time were going to catch it, and then I guess they will know a lot more. Yes, the Heart Specialist explained a little about the catheter CP procedure.. Glad to hear it worked well for you, and you're feeling fine! Incidently, I love that 60 Buick you have there. My favorite year... (when I was born!) My first memories of our car as a kid was a 60 Impala my dad had. Turquoise and white, with some nice fins similar to that. '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poopdeville Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Yup, I agree... IF she needs to be replaced, she needs a name that defies distinction. She needs to be named "Goosed again"... or some other name the owner might deem fit for a handle... Funny you mention memories Goose... mine of my Dad's car was a 1961 Thunderbird convertible... the one with the funky retractable roof and filler plate. MP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprucegoose Posted April 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 I agree with poopdeville on that one. Hit and Run huh.I guess it's time for me to load up the guns and come to Milwaukee. Anyone else with me?? I will be praying for your son to be A Ok. I hope you do find the POS that hit you. They need a good A$$ kicking right now. Also nice to hear that you are ok after that experience. If you decide to fix the "Goose" do post pics. If not the next Caddy should be named in her honor. Thanks Addison, I appreciate that. I am surprised I am not overly-bitter about this thing, but I'm sure if I found the guy I would have a tendancy to open a big Can-o-Whoop-A__ on him! I appreciate your prayers and concerns for my son, that is very helpful. I'm sure he'll be fine, and your are right he is the No. 1 priority right now. That's why the "goose is in the garage, and no big rush to get her fixed right now. Plenty of time for that. In a few months he'll be off to college, and we move on to a whole new step in life there... Time just doesn't wait. '09 Cadillac CTS-4 3.6 direct injection, 128 K mi. '15 Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 5.3i V8, 125 K mi '70 Firebird Formula 400, Bored+.04, RAIII heads, M21 4spd., in-process restoration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddypete Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 Sorry to hear about your misfortune,glad to hear you walked away alright. You have the same tastes as me I noticed, a black eldo and a Thomson contender. do you also have a shovelhead Harley in the garage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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