I had the exact same thing a couple of years ago, exactly the same damage. I only have liability on my '85 though, so I had to fix it myself. Cut the right front corner out of a junkyard Vanagon and welded it onto mine. Ain't perfect, but fixed it for around $200.00, including renting the welder for a day. Jeff Stewart ----- Original Message -----
> Was up in the Eastern Sierras; a place near Mammoth Ski area. Place
> called June Lake (Gull Lake specifically). Perfect. Went kayaking on
> lake in afternoon, paddling into wind then letting wind sail me home.
> So I get up early this am for the long drive home (450 miles?). Around
> 7:30 am. Empty straight hiway. Around 45 MPH, no hurry. Then....there
> they were...two of them, small, young...instantaneous. Darted out
> across road; no reaction time. Missed the first one, hit the second.
> Ugh. Passenger side. Smashed lower grill, signal light, tore rubber
> strip of passenger side of bumper, mashed license plate, and of course
> front end body damage. No damage to cooling system, thank God.
> Drove the 450 miles home. Now, time to report to insurance company. I
> have $500 deductible I think. I'm betting this will be about a $2000
> job...not nearly as easy as a fender, lots of folds and creases in the
> front end.
> Any words of advice before I call insurance company tomorrow to start
> claim process?
> Rich
> San Diego
> 85 Vanagon, 208,000 wonderful miles, original everything except
> interior with homemade camper setup. Not a Westy; a tintop. Alpine
> White. 4 speed tranny. Everything is in perfect condition.
> ....glum....