Wiped Out Chomp

[chomp400]

It's sad that I have joined this forum under such circumstances, but someone just wiped out the side of my pride & joy (96' Chimaera 400), the side being the wing, door, rear 1/4 section etc, there may even be chassis and/or suspension damage, I am not sure yet.

I wondered if anyone here had any idea of what a TVR dealer is likely to charge to fix the pannel damage, or if this is amount of panel damage is likely to write the car off? I am guessing that if there is damage to the chassis or suspension it will just be a total write off regardless, or is this not the case?

Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

[M@H]

Most Gutted for you, this will come of the other parties insurance yes?? therefore shouldn't be a write-off unless they have knacked your chassis.. in which case you are probably better off with a replacement car.. (assuming a reasonable settlement)

Cheers,
Matt

[beano1197]

Sympathies - but, as already said, unless some serious chassis damage I would have thought the situation's retrievable.

For bodywork - assuming you're within a reasonable distance, try Tom Horsburgh (Farnham / Frensham area of Surrey) Tom/Amanda on [phone]

Edited by PetrolTed on Friday 2nd February 12:28

[jamer]

Be careful that it won't take four months etc as some do. The body panels shouldn't be a problem these days but the chassis may have to go back to TVR Blackpool, and if that is the case it may take some time as they are busy building the new cars sold at the NEC.

My advice unfortunaltey would be to try and get it written off if it's close and get some press cuttings of expensive versions of yours for sale this week just in case they get funny in a couple of weeks on value.

Prepare for the worst and then it should be fine.

Regards James

[ATG]

sorry to hear this Chomp ... my car is in a similar state as of 1am this morning ... big difference is that it was my own fault. Pulled away from red light across junction. Exit has a slight dog leg on which a water main was pissing water across crappy tarmac and a couple of manhole covers ... 99% my own lack of awareness ... fish tailed and smacked a parked car.

Spoke to a reliable independent servicer and they recommended Katz Auto for GRP work. THe servicer is near Guilford, and I assume Katz Auto must be near there too.

Good luck

[incorrigible]

Chomp,

Any chance of a photo, I can probably give you a VERY ballpark figure.

Mine was uneconomical to repair and it was only 2 years old with 11k miles on it

Stay in touch, you'll get good advice here

Ben (ps see profile (current cars) for the full gory picture)

[SimonSparrow]

Did this happen on friday afternoon just outside of Eversley? I passed an accident involving a Chimaera and a Vauxhall (I think...).

>> Edited by SimonSparrow on Tuesday 26th November 08:11

[incorrigible]

bindit said: From the descrption of the damage, it sounds like the impact force has been spread along the length of the car, so maybe the chassis is fine.(

I doubt it, the centre of the chassis are strong (the braced box section bit) but the outriggers are connected by a tube that is very susceptible to side impact damage, dents in this can't help but damage the outrigger geometry (new chassis time)

[GreenV8S]

the outriggers are connected by a tube that is very susceptible to side impact damage, dents in this can't help but damage the outrigger geometry (new chassis time)

I kind of agree with the 'don't repair space frame chassis' school of thought, but those outriggers are hardly attached to the rest of the chassis and it doesn't seem to me that their geometry is at all important. I mean, people are replacing rusty outriggers all over the place. Surely this wouldn't be grounds to write off the chassis and hence the car?

[incorrigible]

I've seen a few, and when the outriggers bend they have to be repaired, which involves taking the body off (I haven't done this on a TIV) to repair them. I guess you can make a decision then, my guess would be,if you're going to that sort of effort, it's probably a good idea to start with a new chassis rather than a repaired one

As we haven't seen his car though ...

[chomp400]

Thanks for all the replies, I do not have any photos of the car right now, I will take some and have them developed, from the look of things it's touch and go whether it will be a write off, the insurance engineer is coming to look at it this week, I have to say, I am not too keen on having a chassis repaired, I would rather buy get a new car if this is the case, but I guess it will need over 8k of damage to write it off, so I don't know, I will keep you posted.