Had a similar experience several years ago in CA. Guy rear ended my 4-Runner at a stop light. Driver had a license but was not the owner and didn't speak english well. Got all of the information and when I called the registered owner I found out that he had sold the car several weeks prior and the new owner never changed the registration. At that time in CA the seller sent in a change of ownership notice but until the new owner also sends in the change of ownership paperwork the state would not update the records (Go figure). The former owner was an attorney and told me to keep him informed and if need be he would be glad to rep me against the new owner free of charge! Actually I think he was hoping it would come to that. It took forever to get their insurance company to come around, so mine covered the loss and then went after the owners company. I had to pay the deductible up front but got it back a few weeks later.

The owner tried to buy me off for $200 to keep it away from the insurance company. He quit talking to me when the repair estimate came back at $2500. Found out there was additional damage that could not be seen from the outside under the sheet metal (tailgate was a total loss and the floor had buckled).

I have noticed that most drivers that come up behind me don't leave what I consider sufficient space between us when they finally come to a stop. If anybody ever rear ends my FIA I'll be doing the same as you, sending it back to ERA at their expense!

Please note that I have edited my original post (copied above) to include the happy ending. :)

In Ca. it is a cite and release. Still counts as an arrest, but you don't actually go to jail. The problem with illegal drivers here are most are illegal aliens that don't have valid I.D. and you will never be able to find them. I had this happen to me in a Vette, and luckily my insurance covered it but the driver was never found.

As far as cost, I agree with 20K at least. To make it look right the whole car is going to have to be re-painted. I had similar damage to a car and it was more than 20k. The paint shop gave me the choice of a complete paint job or a blend, but they said a blend would not be perfect.

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

It already did.:3DSMILE: I guess my previous post just wasn't clear enough.**)

The car looks great...

All these older guys backing into stuff, body shops love them, LOL!!!!

Fender looks great!!

Glad that it all worked out for you, and that the other insurance company paid the bill.

Patrick,

You are not familiar to me but are you aware of the Capital Area Cobra Club? We had a couple of new ERA's last summer but they haven't been around since. I know one was David Orr and were you the other one? We meet every Saturday @7:30 AM at the Vienna Inn rain or shine. Would love to have you join us regardless if you were here previously.Glad to see the successful repair of your car.Actually going to Middleburg Saturday for a car show "Cobra Thunder" with the club. Check our website out. Really a great group of guys.

Larry

Larry

Yes, I have been to the VI! I don't get there often though since Saturday mornings tend to be eaten up with other stuff. I think I met Dave; he's from Great Falls as I recall and was building it along with his teenage son. I joked with him that a teenager, new Cobra, and Georgetown Pike do not mix well.:LOL: I think he agreed with me.