HSV VX GTS UK 001 RIP
Discussion
At 2.58 p.m on Fri. 16/12/05 in Bristol a Fiat Ducato (Transit size) van travelling in the opposite direction suffered a blow out on the D/S front tyre. This caused it to veer across the road into A57 HSV, hitting the front D/S door and ripping down the side, snapping the rear axle etc.
Both vehicles were travelling at c. 30 mph.
I was trapped in the car with whip/lash & back injuries(basically put my back out) & the fire brigade cut the roof off, having already told me that the car was a "goner".
Due to H&S rules etc. I had to be strapped on to a spine board & lifted out of the now "cabriolet" HSV.
I was eventually released from the B.R.I Hospital at 8.10p.m.
I'm bashed about & feel as if I have been playing the style of Rugby I did at 16, but lucky to be essentially O.K.
I was less than 1/3 mile away from the MOT station where I had a 3.00p.m app., but luckily equal distance away from my friends Saab garage & he kindly recovered the wreck back to his site. Thankfully, as I had a bootfull of valuable documents, cheques etc. plus all the personal stuff such as Road Angel, C.D's etc. etc.
The firemen, who were brilliant as were the Paramedics & Police, couldn't resist a peek under the bonnet & commented on how strong the car's pillars were.
As it was not my fault, I'm in a stronger posistion re. Insurance, but even so agreeing on a replacement value should be interesting!
LSV have the details of the build etc. which would put the "new" price at close to £60k with the additional bits & pieces the car add due to it being the Press/Demo. model. So we will have to see what happens. Norwich Union have a good history on claims & I have already told them I want the salvage of the vehicle.
It's early days & at the moment my feelings are towards driving a tank (well maybe a Hummer), but if it's practical from a cost point of view, then buying a new shell is an option & would be a good project, but we'll see.
I had planned to keep A57 HSV as a weekend/fun car having not been able to find a replacement which was as fun, fast, practical,rare & easy to own.
I'm gutted, with the exception of my classic, I've never kept a car as long as this & my previous GTS was my first/only new car.
VX 001 RIP, you will be sadly missed.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Saturday 17th December 18:58
Both vehicles were travelling at c. 30 mph.
I was trapped in the car with whip/lash & back injuries(basically put my back out) & the fire brigade cut the roof off, having already told me that the car was a "goner".
Due to H&S rules etc. I had to be strapped on to a spine board & lifted out of the now "cabriolet" HSV.
I was eventually released from the B.R.I Hospital at 8.10p.m.
I'm bashed about & feel as if I have been playing the style of Rugby I did at 16, but lucky to be essentially O.K.
I was less than 1/3 mile away from the MOT station where I had a 3.00p.m app., but luckily equal distance away from my friends Saab garage & he kindly recovered the wreck back to his site. Thankfully, as I had a bootfull of valuable documents, cheques etc. plus all the personal stuff such as Road Angel, C.D's etc. etc.
The firemen, who were brilliant as were the Paramedics & Police, couldn't resist a peek under the bonnet & commented on how strong the car's pillars were.
As it was not my fault, I'm in a stronger posistion re. Insurance, but even so agreeing on a replacement value should be interesting!
LSV have the details of the build etc. which would put the "new" price at close to £60k with the additional bits & pieces the car add due to it being the Press/Demo. model. So we will have to see what happens. Norwich Union have a good history on claims & I have already told them I want the salvage of the vehicle.
It's early days & at the moment my feelings are towards driving a tank (well maybe a Hummer), but if it's practical from a cost point of view, then buying a new shell is an option & would be a good project, but we'll see.
I had planned to keep A57 HSV as a weekend/fun car having not been able to find a replacement which was as fun, fast, practical,rare & easy to own.
I'm gutted, with the exception of my classic, I've never kept a car as long as this & my previous GTS was my first/only new car.
VX 001 RIP, you will be sadly missed.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Saturday 17th December 18:58
Mate... that's tragic! I'm really saddened to hear this but really glad that you are around to talk about it! How'd the other guy fare & I hope those fire rescue guys were not just ford fans in disguise! Keep us posted on the insurance results - if you recover any of the 19's & they are the shadow chrome Aus GTS spec - I'll take a couple off you as I kerbed one! Back to the serious stuff though, it's indeed a dark day for the HSV UK gang & we'll have to toast the 001 car on Oz day at the ace.
Really sorry to hear that. Glad you're OK. 
Hey Tom
Sad news mate but fortunately you're able to tell us about it.However,I doubt that's consolation for the loss of the mean machine.
Make sure you drag out the whiplash thing as long as possible. Whiplash can last for six months easily. "Oh the pain doctor,it just keeps flaring up" Driving,gardening,bending down to stroke the dogs or even putting their leads on causes real discomfort,and of course you can't pick your kids up and your sleep pattern is severely disrupted. And there's no way you can play tennis,squash,golf or go swimming. Make the b'stard pay.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Sad news mate but fortunately you're able to tell us about it.However,I doubt that's consolation for the loss of the mean machine.
Make sure you drag out the whiplash thing as long as possible. Whiplash can last for six months easily. "Oh the pain doctor,it just keeps flaring up" Driving,gardening,bending down to stroke the dogs or even putting their leads on causes real discomfort,and of course you can't pick your kids up and your sleep pattern is severely disrupted. And there's no way you can play tennis,squash,golf or go swimming. Make the b'stard pay.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Be careful which Hummer you go for, saw a picture of a new style one in an accident, fell apart like a cardboard box (not the original one obviously).
Tom, hope you get over the bruises & trauma real quick, devastating news but if you can tell the tale that surely must be the most important thing, I expect LSV would do a deal on one of their stock cars for you, speak to Doug.
Tom, hope you get over the bruises & trauma real quick, devastating news but if you can tell the tale that surely must be the most important thing, I expect LSV would do a deal on one of their stock cars for you, speak to Doug.
Thank you all very much for your kind words & support.
I massively appreciate how lucky I am, although I'll probably need a lot of treatment, things could have been so much worse.
Yes the HSV was just a collection of various metals, plastics, rubber & glass etc. but it meant a huge amount to me and I really miss it. I hate not seeing it outside the kitchen door. An HSV has been in that space for over 5 years now.
I learnt this morning to my horror & disgust, that the van driver is allegedly denying responsibility, If this is the case It's a foolish move, as It's blatantly obvious from the damage exactly what happened, the front end of my car is unmarked, the damage starts from just infront of the D/Side B pillar.
Just more aggro. that I could honestly do with out before Xmas.
Apparently witness statements were taken, but I have no idea what they say. I wasn't aware of any vehicle behind me at the time, hopefully vehicles were behind the van & saw what happened. I can't speak to the WPC who dealt with the accident until later this p.m.
P.S Only joking about the Hummer, to early to decide on a replacement yet.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Monday 19th December 11:16
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Monday 19th December 19:15
I massively appreciate how lucky I am, although I'll probably need a lot of treatment, things could have been so much worse.
Yes the HSV was just a collection of various metals, plastics, rubber & glass etc. but it meant a huge amount to me and I really miss it. I hate not seeing it outside the kitchen door. An HSV has been in that space for over 5 years now.
I learnt this morning to my horror & disgust, that the van driver is allegedly denying responsibility, If this is the case It's a foolish move, as It's blatantly obvious from the damage exactly what happened, the front end of my car is unmarked, the damage starts from just infront of the D/Side B pillar.
Just more aggro. that I could honestly do with out before Xmas.
Apparently witness statements were taken, but I have no idea what they say. I wasn't aware of any vehicle behind me at the time, hopefully vehicles were behind the van & saw what happened. I can't speak to the WPC who dealt with the accident until later this p.m.
P.S Only joking about the Hummer, to early to decide on a replacement yet.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Monday 19th December 11:16
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Monday 19th December 19:15
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