Everyone remove your hats & bow your heads please...

[Guest]

I regret to inform you of the tragic loss of yet another Buick. Our much loved 1990 Park Avenue 'T' is no longer with us, the victim of a highway speed rear-ender by a 4x4 Suburban. While the rear bumper remains almost completely in position, the tail-light housings (mainly right side) have been pushed up just under the rear window, shattering the glass. The trunk section of the car is now approximately 6" long. The doors are intact, yet pushed forward into the front ones. The roof is crinkled slightly. The RR wheel is pushed up against the rocker panel.<P>To add insult to injury, the flatbed driver backed into the front of the car, shattering the composite headlight assembly.<P>My parents, driver and passenger, walked away with minimal injuries, including a few cuts from flying glass, and a broken tooth crown.<P>This is the second time a Park Avenue has saved lives in our family.(The previous was an '85, also hit at highway speed) Thankfully, they are built as solidly as they are. Both times, the passenger compartment has stayed entirely intact, preventing injury in a car that looks like people should have died in it.<P>We are in the process of "dealing" with the insurance now. Here we are, one whole week later, and they have finally left us a message saying they are 'going to' order a copy of the police report to verify that we weren't at fault, and that we have their permission to get a rental car (at our own expense) which they MAY reimburse later. (not guarenteed!!!!)<P>I know they will screw us on the value of the car. It WAS just about mint. I am trying to get the car back from them, for parts, but for now it remains locked in a compound in Michigan with its interior exposed to the elements.<P>As I'm sure you can tell, I am not happy about this.<P>Derek<BR><P>------------------<BR>1968 "Canadian" Pontiac Beaumont<BR>1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type<BR>

[DugsSin]

Give your parents a hug and go get another Big Buick. It did what it was supposed to do absorbe the energy so your parents are O.K. <BR> Yea you are right the insurance co is going to screw you, thats what there in business for.

[Guest]

Derek, my thoughts are with you as, my Mom, sister and brother, were rear ended in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1981 by a van, the car, a 1981 Skykark 4 door, sport wheels, sport steering wheel, sport mirrors, bucket seats, 16K miles was totalled. I was my mom's second "new" car she ever owned. the car ended up in the junkyard in Rochester, NY, since it was a NY car. What nightmare for them to get closure on this! It still to this day bothers them everytime they come to Michigan to see me. My brother vowed he would only even drive a truck or a station wagon after that, but he has since acquired a LeSAbre t-type that can't compare to anything, my and his employer(GM) build today, as you well know. Glad everyone was safe, if you need any help getting the car out of Michigan, let me know. Roberta

[Guest]

The car is sitting maybe a half hour into Michigan, right across from Sarnia, Ontario. We just heard from the insurance company today that they are waiting for the police report now. The car has finally been officially 'totalled'. Hmmmmmm.... the trunk is about 6" long. Maybe we can hammer it out....<P>It strikes me as odd that we have to pay to get our insurance a copy of the police report. That is supposedly why its taken a week, getting a US money order, sending it to the head office in Quebec for approval, sending it back, and finally sending it to the police in Michigan... is this normal??? Shouldn't the police be automatically giving copies to the insurance companies, let alone charging them for it???!? This doesn't make much sense....<P>Because of this red tape, I still don't know if I will be able to bring it home or not. I have some friends with trucks (if it wasn't across the border I'd use my S10) and can rent a trailer from U-Haul or something... I'd really like to because it had so many goodies on it, including the original T-geared tranny, digital dash, Bose stereo, aluminum rims...plus new parts like A/C condensor, water pump, alternator, etc. so I really hate this waiting...<P>Derek. <P><P>------------------<BR>1968 "Canadian" Pontiac Beaumont<BR>1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type<BR>

[Guest]

I am looking at a magazine called "Old Cars Price Guide" and it breaks cars down into 6 catagories...parts car to showroom...this is the Dec '98 issue and it is showing the top 3 catagories for a '90 Park Ave as $3800,$6650,& $9500. Most ins companies don't have a clue after they are older than 5 years..good luck