wow, it's been a while since I checked back in on this thread. What a heart breaker. It makes the demise of my truck under similar circumstances seem like a petty annoyance:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366796
Incidentally I'm out about $4000 when all is said and done. I estimate that I may be able to salvage about $2000 on what I put into it. Insurance paid me $1100 in the end including the medical portion. That's about what I paid fighting the city over the "violation" - so that means I know how you feel on a much smaller scale.
My favorite part was one of my know-nothing friends had this to say when I was telling them about it recently:
"Well, I guess it's for the better anyway - can't have that gas guzzler around when fuel is going to be $5/gal.", and he was serious. Really?
In the end the guy with the old truck minding his own business is the one that gets screwed.