Expert: William Forster - 3/30/2009

Question
My neighbor's large pine tree feel across my son's 1996 Camaro and did a lot of damage to the front end(hood, both fenders and supporting items). The tree did not hit the cooling fan area but did pull it into the engine area.
I have a 1995 Camaro and the front end is in good condition. Can the whole front clip be taken off this Camaro and the put on the damaged one? If so is there a manual I can purchase that will give me detailed instructions?
If not what is your advise regarding repairing this Camaro?

Regards,

Joey

Answer
Joey, this is, by no means, an easy fix. The steel superstructure (I.E. unibody) is damaged, and all of this is welded together. It takes special repair procedures to repair the unibody, and the old steel needs pulled out before anything can be done. It needs professional help. Clipping a car is dangerous when performed by professionals, much less an amateur. Take it to a body shop, and see how much they want to pull and repair the unibody. If it's more than you can pay, sell both cars to someone who has more knowledge about this sort of repair. Bill