[NG329]

WELP! It happened to me.

After 25 years driving I had my first accident and of course it had to happen in my baby ZL1 1LE.

I can't go into details of the crash in this thread but I will say that it involved the car "Rolling". After all airbags deployed the cabin went white. It was the creepiest thing I've ever experienced and all I could remember was saying to myself "Try not to bump your head". I held my body rigid with the false pedal and the steering wheel while thinking "Is this heaven?" It was literally all white!

When the car finally came to a stop I could smell something resembling smoke. I opted not to reach for the fire extinguisher that I keep in the car and struggled to force the door open. I got the door a quarter of the way open, with my vision blocked by the airbag. Stumbled out the car and a woman was slowly approaching asking "Are you okay?" "Do you want me to call 911?" I told her I was okay and that I would make the call. She made the call anyway. I also made the call. While I was on the phone with 911 passerby asked if there were any passengers, and I assured them that there weren't.

So that's what humble pie tastes like. I don't know why but I felt completely embarrassed to be 'that guy' who held up traffic to get scraped off the road. I guess it can happen to anyone. It happened to me.

Immediately I called the insurance and explained the situation. Thank God for Accident Forgiveness. I'm covered. Adjuster said based on pics it's likely a total loss. As soon as I got that info I went ahead and located another ZL1 1LE. It's quite a bit more than I wanted to pay but it's a 2021 that will be replacing my 2019 and it only has 7k miles. It's in immaculate condition. I hope to have it delivered in Mid May and just in time for my next track day on May 22nd.

With all that said, I walked away from a violent crash. My lower back is very sore but it's more a case of reinjuring something that I've experienced before. These cars are well thought out and my gut tells me that GM crashed these at triple digit speeds when they developed this car. From what I've seen in most ZL1 (1LE) accidents, most of us walk away so that tells me that I've made the right choice. I could replace my 1LE with pretty much any car I want. 911 Turbo, C8, GT500, 570S, Vantage, etc. etc. I chose another ZL1 1LE. For me, it really is the perfect car.


Rant over.

[arpad_m]

I'm very sorry to read your report and about your loss. However, the most important value in the car, you, remained unharmed, and that's what really matters. We all make mistakes, sometimes we get away with them, but eventually most of us taste that humble pie (if not yet, then we probably will).

Good luck with the replacement. These cars are indeed very well built, strong chassis with good crumple zones and excellent driver/passenger protection.

[CW3SF]

Sorry about the car but it can be replaced. Glad you are ok. Congrats on finding the replacement.

[Jofu]

Hey there! Sorry to hear about the crash :(

Surprised to hear it rolled over, with such a low center of gravity, I'm always surprised to hear of that happening! Without going into too many details, mind sharing what caused the flip over? Was it a curb, or embankment maybe?

And, hot damn, you're not wasting any time buying a new one

Geoff

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Jofu

Hey there! Sorry to hear about the crash :(

Surprised to hear it rolled over, with such a low center of gravity, I'm always surprised to hear of that happening! Without going into too many details, mind sharing what caused the flip over? Was it a curb, or embankment maybe?

And, hot damn, you're not wasting any time buying a new one

Geoff

Slid off onto the shoulder and just off the shoulder there was a slight 1ft ditch before the wall. The wheel lodged in the ditch and flipped the car. Ripped the wheel right off.

When I settle up with insurance I will post the pics. In the meantime I've already moved forward on the next car since my ability to move forward is not contingent on the insurance Payout. I just can't be without a car and I have a track day scheduled for May 22nd.

[Zl1+911]

Thank god you r safe and well. I too can attest to these cars being well built as I went straight into a concrete pillar at ~90mph head on. Total
Loss, all airbags deployed but the windshield did not break and I did not have anything other than a mild concussion.

Seeing you r in NY, which track was this? And which insurance?

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by Zl1+911

Thank god you r safe and well. I too can attest to these cars being well built as I went straight into a concrete pillar at ~90mph head on. Total
Loss, all airbags deployed but the windshield did not break and I did not have anything other than a mild concussion.

Seeing you r in NY, which track was this? And which insurance?

Holy moly…you guys are crazy! That’s nuts! Glad you walked away like the OP…but good lord…

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Zl1+911

Thank god you r safe and well. I too can attest to these cars being well built as I went straight into a concrete pillar at ~90mph head on. Total
Loss, all airbags deployed but the windshield did not break and I did not have anything other than a mild concussion.

Seeing you r in NY, which track was this? And which insurance?

I didn't crash on track. It was up the block from my house on may way home from work.

I'll post pics and more details once I settle up with insurance.

[Zl1+911]

Oh wow, that’s even more scary and glad u are ok!

[Jofu]

Originally Posted by NG329

Slid off onto the shoulder and just off the shoulder there was a slight 1ft ditch before the wall. The wheel lodged in the ditch and flipped the car. Ripped the wheel right off.

Oh I see, thanks. Yeah that makes sense.

Geoff

[ZX-10R]

Originally Posted by NG329

I could replace my 1LE with pretty much any car I want. 911 Turbo, C8, GT500, 570S, Vantage, etc. etc. I chose another ZL1 1LE. For me, it really is the perfect car.

Glad you're ok - hope you weren't drinking

A 570S though?

Rant over.

That wasn't a rant it was important to read

[george]

Glad you're OK. Good luck with the new one. Hope you can make it to the Camaro Nationals (Morgantown, PA) in July with the new one.

[Realist]

That was no rant, glad you are ok. Congrats on the replacement and thanks for sharing.

[Checkmate1]

So sorry to hear about your crash! Glad that you made it out fine.

There is no substitute for a ZL1/1LE, I am glad you decided to get another one!