Well I got another car the Friday before last. A '63 Falcon with a 144 cube 6-banger and 3 on the tree. No seatbelts and no safety features wahtsoever. I was planning on getting seatbelts from a '60s Ford and installing them with the seatbelt install kit that came with the car (large thick washers and bolts). Well, it didn't even last that long.
I was driving home from my clbuttes this past Friday, enjoying the nice weather and looking forward to cruise night. So I'm driving down the road and the car coming in my direction on the other side of the road suddenly suddenly slows toa crawl and turns left with no signal, crossing my path at a lieseurely pace.. No turn signal or any warning that he was gonna turn. I was about 20-25 feet from him when thsi happened. I hit the brakes and started to turn the wheel. Two thoughts went through my mind. "Oh my God he doesn't see me", which was immediately followed by "Oh poo, this is gonna hurt".
Needless to say, it did hurt. Thankfully I didn't go through the windshield as the steering wheel broke my momentum (LOL). My knee impacted the dash pretty hard, then when I bounced off the steering wheel I slammed back into the roof of the car (was no longer conscious at that point), then came to rest with my right foot jammed on the brake, my leg wedged under the dash, and my left foot jammed on the clutch... Of course I was bleeding all over myself too.
My front top teeth are chipped. From front two teeth are both pretty much snapped in half. I have 5 staples in the back of my head, and walking is slow and painful from when my right knee slammed into the dash and wedged itself underneath. Got a fun ride to the hospital strapped down on a board with my head immobilized, then all the scans, shots, sbreastches and knocking-of-teeth back into position. Then to the oral reconstructive surgeon the next morning.
It sucks about my teeth, and I'm a little worried about long-term damage and pain with my knees. My knees weren't the greatest to begin with, so I hope this trauma hasn't made them worse in the long-run. I've been aching all over and my right shoulder and neck have hurt a lot over the past couple days. Yesterday I stayed home from school and work and pretty much slept all day. I can't even remember the last time I've slept so much. So I suppose I've been managing well enough, though it sucks being on a soft foods diet. Mostly soup and ice cream, but I can't complain about the ice cream part. haha
Well, have a look at some pics of the damage...
So now I'm in the process of dealing with the insurance companies. There are three actually, possibly four. The guy driving the car works for a local garage and was test-driving a customers car that he was working on. That may very well work to my advantage in getting this thing settled quickly and some compensation to cover a new car and my medical expenses.
I just wish I was driving the Galaxie when this happened. I almost drove the Galaxie that day, but decided not to as one of my front window regulators is broken and there was a chance of rain that day. It actually turned out to be clear, sunny and dry. It's a shame, as I woulda walked away from it if I was driving the Galaxie. Not to mention the fact htat I already need a new hood and radiator support for that car (if anyone knows where I can get those parts, perferably in or near NJ, please let me know). So the Galaxie is going back into daily driver service and the 460 swap is on hold. The engine was actually in and out. Had to pull it out as my motor mounts were positioning the motor too far back towards the firewall. If anyone wants to see pics of that they are here:
I need a new heater core and at least one window regulator.I think I can fix the drivers side window (also stuck down) without any replacement parts. It's been getting cold this past week and I can feel winter coming. The cold mornings and clear winter skies have started. Unfortunately I'm not up to pulling fenders off the Galaxie to replace the heater core and the window regulators are probably too much for me as well in my curreent state of health. My buddies should help me out with the work though.
Well, that's about how my fortune has been lately. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...
Cory
