crashed my Chim
Discussion
today, I crashed into a SUV on a roundabout. Looked over my shoulder, no traffic, accelerated and the car in front stops. Bang.
The bonnet was lifted, fell into place and there we were. Even though it was a low speed collision, the towbar of the other car wasnt too helpful, the front is split with a hole where the towbar was and the bonnet hinge is loose. Luckily, I was able to hobble to my local garage.
I'm just very grateful that no one was injured, the rest is secondary and will be sorted somehow.
Nevertheless, I have a few questions to the "secret brotherhood of the crashed Chim" that might save me some hassles:
- I'm insured with Direct Line (very polite servive, btw) who wanted to direct me to an "approved garage" in my area. By the name of the garage, I doubt that they have ever had their hands on a Tiv let alone done a specialist body job, so I explained that I would prefer the job to be done by my (local) TVR garage who know their business. I was told that this was OK, but I had to have them fax a quote to their claims department who had to approve it. Is this likely to be a problem?
- how long would a body repair job take?
- around what amount could that be? It's a '99 450 with 35.000 miles, and I'm a bit scared that this might be a write-off. It's my P&J, and I don't want to end up in a Euro-box.
The bonnet was lifted, fell into place and there we were. Even though it was a low speed collision, the towbar of the other car wasnt too helpful, the front is split with a hole where the towbar was and the bonnet hinge is loose. Luckily, I was able to hobble to my local garage.
I'm just very grateful that no one was injured, the rest is secondary and will be sorted somehow.
Nevertheless, I have a few questions to the "secret brotherhood of the crashed Chim" that might save me some hassles:
- I'm insured with Direct Line (very polite servive, btw) who wanted to direct me to an "approved garage" in my area. By the name of the garage, I doubt that they have ever had their hands on a Tiv let alone done a specialist body job, so I explained that I would prefer the job to be done by my (local) TVR garage who know their business. I was told that this was OK, but I had to have them fax a quote to their claims department who had to approve it. Is this likely to be a problem?
- how long would a body repair job take?
- around what amount could that be? It's a '99 450 with 35.000 miles, and I'm a bit scared that this might be a write-off. It's my P&J, and I don't want to end up in a Euro-box.
Bad luck chap - great philosophy about it all as well 
By the sound of it it won't be written off, the insurers will be ok with the specialists quote I imagine, the problem you may have is with the length of repair - don't be surprised to see it roll in to 3 months mate.
Glad you are ok
By the sound of it it won't be written off, the insurers will be ok with the specialists quote I imagine, the problem you may have is with the length of repair - don't be surprised to see it roll in to 3 months mate.
Glad you are ok
3 months 
Looks like I'll have to buy a banger for the time.... www.pistonheads.com/sales/109759.htm looks promising, and after having driven around in that sh*tter for 3 months, I'll have truly repented for my stupidity
Looks like I'll have to buy a banger for the time.... www.pistonheads.com/sales/109759.htm looks promising, and after having driven around in that sh*tter for 3 months, I'll have truly repented for my stupidity
hmmm....it was my understanding that the replacement parts were moulded at the bodyshop. So these parts come from the factory?
If that is the case, we'll be in the sh*t when the stock has been used up. I wanted to change my windscreen as it delaminates and had already asked myself what the future will hold with these TVR specific parts.
The headlights seemed to be OK, but it was dark. If it's 3 months, then be it, at least I can have some other things sorted in the meantime like the rear window, the windscreen and the carpets which I planned to have done this winter anyway.
Oh, and I just decided to get a Morris Minor as interims drive
Any alternative suggestions on a postcard, but I want it CHEAP
If that is the case, we'll be in the sh*t when the stock has been used up. I wanted to change my windscreen as it delaminates and had already asked myself what the future will hold with these TVR specific parts.
The headlights seemed to be OK, but it was dark. If it's 3 months, then be it, at least I can have some other things sorted in the meantime like the rear window, the windscreen and the carpets which I planned to have done this winter anyway.
Oh, and I just decided to get a Morris Minor as interims drive
Any alternative suggestions on a postcard, but I want it CHEAP
Quinny said:
You have to be a bit carefull with this.
If you insist on a hire car whilst yours is repaired, chances are that the total cost of the claim could be more than the value of the car hence, they'll right it off.
I was in a similar boat last year, I didn't want to lose my car, so I let them use a few well chosen second hand parts ie steering rack and front wheel. Plus I made do with my old run around for the rest of the summer. That was a joy I can tell you
Where are you from? if it's anywhere near the North West I can recommend a repair shop.
Thanks, good point that. However, I plan to buy a cheap car to bridge the gap anyway. I'm in the south and I trust my garage, but thanks for the offer.
Could you borrow the v8 and rear axle assembly from your Chim while they do the front-end bodywork? Could make the Minor a bit more interesting and keep the engine ticking overWhy do people just stop on roundabouts? Happened to me when i was driving a Ford, idiot in front stalled and i didn't.
More to the point, i crashed my 450 a couple of years ago, at v low speed in the snow. Minor damage to front right wing and rear left wing too. Insured with Direct Line. Took car to my local TVR who did a quote, no probs. Apprently the bodywork on a Chim is front section, rear section, doors. As i had dinks on front and rear i had to have both replaced. Cost was circa £15k + VAT. Ouch. Makes me feel better about 20 years of outrageous insurance premium payments. I was without my Chim for 3 months and had a courtesy car - a Ford Ka!!!! Was good lesson in humility. What i saved on petrol paid for the excess!
cheers,
david
More to the point, i crashed my 450 a couple of years ago, at v low speed in the snow. Minor damage to front right wing and rear left wing too. Insured with Direct Line. Took car to my local TVR who did a quote, no probs. Apprently the bodywork on a Chim is front section, rear section, doors. As i had dinks on front and rear i had to have both replaced. Cost was circa £15k + VAT. Ouch. Makes me feel better about 20 years of outrageous insurance premium payments. I was without my Chim for 3 months and had a courtesy car - a Ford Ka!!!! Was good lesson in humility. What i saved on petrol paid for the excess!
cheers,
david
There are a few places that do panels for chims
www.b-link.co.uk/tet/tet/chimaera.htm for a start and i think fiberon in the west mids.
I understand that tvr power are taking over the chim/griff stuff so panels shouldnt be a problem.
so I wouldnt worry about not being able to get parts.
the complete replacement costs for s chim front or rear is about 7k per end so hopefully you should be fine.
My wife reversed her discovery into the back of my chim, splitting the boot. ther repair cost from a local tv indy was less than 500 quid
G
www.b-link.co.uk/tet/tet/chimaera.htm for a start and i think fiberon in the west mids.
I understand that tvr power are taking over the chim/griff stuff so panels shouldnt be a problem.
so I wouldnt worry about not being able to get parts.
the complete replacement costs for s chim front or rear is about 7k per end so hopefully you should be fine.
My wife reversed her discovery into the back of my chim, splitting the boot. ther repair cost from a local tv indy was less than 500 quid
G
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