Not the ideal first post

[SiKen]

Hello all,

After years of lusting after a chimaera I finally took the plunge a couple of months ago. I've been meaning to sign up to the forum ever since to ask for advice on a couple of minor issues, but now need help with a more annoying problem after somebody reversed into me in the local supermarket car park.

At first glance it doesn't seem too bad - just scratches to the paintwork and the driver-side headlight, but not sure I trust the repairer suggested by my insurer, so does anyone have recommendations for a couple of good garages in the east London area I can get repair quotes from?

Also, I understand that damage to the bodywork can pop up in odd places after an accident - is there anywhere I should be on the lookout for cracks? (impact was right on the outside edge of the driver-side headlight). Anything else I should be on the lookout for? It was very low speed, so can't imagine there was any damage to the chassis etc.

Thanks,
Simon.

[seeby]

Try CnC in Shernall street E17

[Zippee]

You need to make sure you go to a specialist who is experienced with fibreglass. I can pretty much guarantee the average insurance approved bodyshop wouldn't have a clue...

[V8 GRF]

Yes be aware that as fibreglass 'pops out' after an impact the damage may be worse than you think and cracks can take a week or so to appear and need proper attention as mentioned.

About six months after I bought my Griff a Volvo caught my rear wing and although on first appearances it didn't look too bad with damage just around the wheelarch on further inspection it was cracked all the way round to the rear light cluster, so just repairing the obvious damage isn't enough so as recommended find a fibreglass specialist or even better one with TVR/Lotus experience.

If you hear anyone say there's no difference between metal and fibreglass repairs then excuse yourself and go elsewhere.

[SSPPGG]

I would say dont touch the repair for a good few weeks. the stress cracks tend to creep, and sometimes pop out in new places weeks later. for repairs, i'd insist it went to a specialist TVR repairer.

[SiKen]

Thanks guys,

The accident was nearly two weeks ago now, as I went on holiday the day after, so hopefully any damage has had enough time to show itself. Got to admit I was surprised how well it seems to have survived, given that the other guy's two-day old Qashqai came away with a big dent.

Any other recommendations on specialist repairers?

[DonkeyApple]

Not East London but close enough in Herts are Bespoke Performance.

They did a lovely job years ago when I discovered a Volvo had reversed into my Griff.

The key about them is that they've been patching up Londoner's Tivs for 20 years.