Need advice after crash -S3
Discussion
Hi Peops,
I need some advice please after a wee prang yesterday.
I was out yesterday charging the battery (cold Engine, and Tyres meant that I wasnt booting it) when I came up behind a dark blue SAAB 9-5 on a dual carrigeway. he moved over to the left hand lane as there were no cars ahead but as I got to within 5-6 metres from him he rammed back into the right hand lane. I swerved left to miss him and he shoved left (the Scum had decided to race me) I had to hit the brakes but with cold tyres I went into a skid. The car went into in instant spin and I hit trees on the central reservation at 70mph at a 45% angle thus ripping the entire front off and spinning me around (lucky I did hit them as I would have gone through to the other side and traffic otherwise).
I came to a halt about 75 metres later and managed to drive the car onto the central reservation. Needless to say the piece of shit that tried to kill me didnt stop, lucky in a way as I would be looking at a prison sentance now if he had.
Amazingly I turned off the TVR and got straight out of the car (thinking about the amount of fuel sitting right behind my seat) and then realised that I had not been hurt in any way shape or form. I still have no injuries or bruises that have come out today!!!
These S3's may have no SIPS etc but in a head on crash they are amazingly strong and safe for the driver (thats what I have found anyway).
Looking at the Tivv I have found the following damage:
Near side rear tyre off rim but no damage to rim.
Rear of car has a few marks where it spun round into the tree branches (dont think it is bad and may T-cut out.
Windscreen chipped where the bonnet was ripped of and hit it.
Bonnet scratched to buggery, gouges scrapes and a couple of cracks to the front where it hit the trees (surprisingly strong for fibreglass) A couple of bits snapped off) The Plywood mounts were totally smashed and will need replaicing. 1 rear mount smashed off but repairable.
The bonnet looks repairable with a bit of glass work and filling and paint(I have done the same to my race bikes after spilling them) However I can't do it as It would need to be a far more professional job than what I could do).
I am insured with Classic line and I am fully comp, I really doubt they will write the Tivv off as it is only the bonnet that is a problem. I personally think about £2-2500 of damage.
I was wondering if anyone could let me know who I should ask about doing the repairs, I would obviously prefer a specialist TVR body shop.
Also is there anything else I should be sorting out, I may arrange for the frame to be painted whilst the body is off?
I can't claim off the toe-rag that did this but if anyone hears anything about him (young/white/blonde hair, driving a SAAB 9-5 into Bracknell from Bagshot at 10:20 Sunday 22nd Feb)then I would very much like to know.
How I am uninjured is beyond me but it is a testament to the strength of the TVR, I was always worried it's ability to save the driver in the event of an accident but not anymore.
I need some advice please after a wee prang yesterday.
I was out yesterday charging the battery (cold Engine, and Tyres meant that I wasnt booting it) when I came up behind a dark blue SAAB 9-5 on a dual carrigeway. he moved over to the left hand lane as there were no cars ahead but as I got to within 5-6 metres from him he rammed back into the right hand lane. I swerved left to miss him and he shoved left (the Scum had decided to race me) I had to hit the brakes but with cold tyres I went into a skid. The car went into in instant spin and I hit trees on the central reservation at 70mph at a 45% angle thus ripping the entire front off and spinning me around (lucky I did hit them as I would have gone through to the other side and traffic otherwise).
I came to a halt about 75 metres later and managed to drive the car onto the central reservation. Needless to say the piece of shit that tried to kill me didnt stop, lucky in a way as I would be looking at a prison sentance now if he had.
Amazingly I turned off the TVR and got straight out of the car (thinking about the amount of fuel sitting right behind my seat) and then realised that I had not been hurt in any way shape or form. I still have no injuries or bruises that have come out today!!!
These S3's may have no SIPS etc but in a head on crash they are amazingly strong and safe for the driver (thats what I have found anyway).
Looking at the Tivv I have found the following damage:
Near side rear tyre off rim but no damage to rim.
Rear of car has a few marks where it spun round into the tree branches (dont think it is bad and may T-cut out.
Windscreen chipped where the bonnet was ripped of and hit it.
Bonnet scratched to buggery, gouges scrapes and a couple of cracks to the front where it hit the trees (surprisingly strong for fibreglass) A couple of bits snapped off) The Plywood mounts were totally smashed and will need replaicing. 1 rear mount smashed off but repairable.
The bonnet looks repairable with a bit of glass work and filling and paint(I have done the same to my race bikes after spilling them) However I can't do it as It would need to be a far more professional job than what I could do).
I am insured with Classic line and I am fully comp, I really doubt they will write the Tivv off as it is only the bonnet that is a problem. I personally think about £2-2500 of damage.
I was wondering if anyone could let me know who I should ask about doing the repairs, I would obviously prefer a specialist TVR body shop.
Also is there anything else I should be sorting out, I may arrange for the frame to be painted whilst the body is off?
I can't claim off the toe-rag that did this but if anyone hears anything about him (young/white/blonde hair, driving a SAAB 9-5 into Bracknell from Bagshot at 10:20 Sunday 22nd Feb)then I would very much like to know.
How I am uninjured is beyond me but it is a testament to the strength of the TVR, I was always worried it's ability to save the driver in the event of an accident but not anymore.
Glad you're okay - a nasty experience indeed. You're very lucky with the trees - hitting anything much beyond a sapling will usually do a lot of damage.
Probably worth checking out the state of the chassis to see if it's got bent at all - it might be quite subtle but it'll make quite a difference to the repair bill if it is.
Hope you're back on the road soon,
WG
Probably worth checking out the state of the chassis to see if it's got bent at all - it might be quite subtle but it'll make quite a difference to the repair bill if it is.
Hope you're back on the road soon,
WG
Roy_S2 said:
he will of course deny any involvement so I`m not sure if you would get any joy from it.
..it does however give ClassicLine someone to focus their attention on..
they don't like paying out if they can possibly avoid it 
They'd need a police incident report number of course though.
Cheers,
Matt
Thanks for your support guys and for the advice.
The Police were at the scene within 5 minutes from my phone call and they put out a search straight away. However at the next roundabout the tw@t could go in svereal directions and as he knew what he had done, I doubt he would be hanging around. I'd like to find him for reasons other than insurance.
I was very lucky with the tree's as they were about 4-5 inches across the trunk, so they may have bent a bit. I will be asking for the car to be set up on a chassis checking rig just to make sure that it is not bent in any way.
The Police and the AA were very helpfull but as the policeman said, they were very unlikely to catch him (I am hopeing that he did go through a CCTV area or that another car following us saw his plate).
I live in Bracknell, however the distance is not a problem as I have spoken to Classic line and they will deal with the transport to and from the repair shop. I'll call the Bristol shop today....thankyou very much.
The Police were at the scene within 5 minutes from my phone call and they put out a search straight away. However at the next roundabout the tw@t could go in svereal directions and as he knew what he had done, I doubt he would be hanging around. I'd like to find him for reasons other than insurance.
I was very lucky with the tree's as they were about 4-5 inches across the trunk, so they may have bent a bit. I will be asking for the car to be set up on a chassis checking rig just to make sure that it is not bent in any way.
The Police and the AA were very helpfull but as the policeman said, they were very unlikely to catch him (I am hopeing that he did go through a CCTV area or that another car following us saw his plate).
I live in Bracknell, however the distance is not a problem as I have spoken to Classic line and they will deal with the transport to and from the repair shop. I'll call the Bristol shop today....thankyou very much.
Sorry to hear about your accident Skunk - it beggars believe how anyone can act like that! 
I just hope they find the to$$er! 
When someone pulled out in front of me last April (in Bracknell!) the car went to Harrison and Co. in Farnham as they were the TVR place recommended by Norwich Union. Basically, the bonnet needed cracks, chips, spidering etc. fixed and a total respray, plus they also had to replace the whole hinge frame, so the repairs sound similar to what you describe needing. The bill for that work was £2500 (plus VAT IIRC), so your guesstimate sounds reasonable.
Having said all that, after my recent incident the car is with Tom Horsburgh ((01428) 608255 ) in Frensham, near Farnham, as Bridgdav used them for his repairs and recommended them highly, as have a number of other postings on here. It's too soon for me to comment on the quality of their work, but my dealings with them to date have all been good.
Hope you get it all sorted out ok, and watch out for the numpties and to$$ers out there!
I just hope they find the to$$er! When someone pulled out in front of me last April (in Bracknell!) the car went to Harrison and Co. in Farnham as they were the TVR place recommended by Norwich Union. Basically, the bonnet needed cracks, chips, spidering etc. fixed and a total respray, plus they also had to replace the whole hinge frame, so the repairs sound similar to what you describe needing. The bill for that work was £2500 (plus VAT IIRC), so your guesstimate sounds reasonable.
Having said all that, after my recent incident the car is with Tom Horsburgh ((01428) 608255 ) in Frensham, near Farnham, as Bridgdav used them for his repairs and recommended them highly, as have a number of other postings on here. It's too soon for me to comment on the quality of their work, but my dealings with them to date have all been good.
Hope you get it all sorted out ok, and watch out for the numpties and to$$ers out there!
Edited by PetrolTed on Friday 2nd February 12:31
Podie said:
Glad you're okay - a nasty experience indeed. You're very lucky with the trees - hitting anything much beyond a sapling will usually do a lot of damage.
Trees have a nasty habit of not moving either...
Absolutely - trees tend to me a lot tougher than metal for example. They are after all a cylindrical laminate material. Railings or lampposts by comparison buckle on impact. It's one of the reasons the french have cut down a lot of trees that used to be close up on the verge of many roads. They looked pretty, but anyone hitting them, wound up dead !
So - basically - very glad that Mr Skunkmeister wasn't hurt.
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