Another one bites the dust?
Discussion
I canot see that the insurance company will attempt a repair as the nearside is bowed from wheel arch to wheel arch, the door shut on that side is now tiny but the drivers one has opened up to about 1/2 inch. The nearside rear wheel is now very much tow in and it drives (30mph) like the back end is about to fall out. The front offside is about 1 inch lower than the rest of the car on the flat so all things considered the chassis must be distorted? Just have to wait for the assessor to attend to see what comes next, but it's looking like the quest for another is about to start.
Just been on the phone to Richard Thorpe who thinks he can mend it? Body off, full chassis re-jig and repaint, full body respray etc etc. If the insurance company can be made to pay the several thousand pounds necessary for that level of work? what was a very good example will come back as an excellent one. Anyone got any thoughts on taking this potential course of action?
dw350i said:
Just been on the phone to Richard Thorpe who thinks he can mend it? Body off, full chassis re-jig and repaint, full body respray etc etc. If the insurance company can be made to pay the several thousand pounds necessary for that level of work? what was a very good example will come back as an excellent one. Anyone got any thoughts on taking this potential course of action?
Glad to hear you are ok. In answer to your question I think it all depends on how much you love your car. If you want to change up to another Wedge or TVR now would be a good time. One thing is for sure, and that's your car will never feel the same if u get it re-built. The chances are that it may be better in all areas which wouldn't be a bad thing at all..
dw350i said:
Just been on the phone to Richard Thorpe who thinks he can mend it? Body off, full chassis re-jig and repaint, full body respray etc etc. If the insurance company can be made to pay the several thousand pounds necessary for that level of work? what was a very good example will come back as an excellent one. Anyone got any thoughts on taking this potential course of action?
From an engineering point of view these cars are fairly straight forward but I doubt whether the economics will mean that the insurance company will sanction it. If it does then great!
I used to be an insurance engineer and I would have swept the car into a big bin! I would be amazed if any insurer would go down the repair route, unless they can agree a reasonable contract repair that could involve 2nd hand or non genuine parts. With that kind of damage you either let the insurer take the car and you take the cash, or buy back the salvage and use the t/loss payment towards a full rebuild/restoration.
Bear in mind that this was a no fault accident therefore you do not have to rely on your own insurer. You could easily pursue the third party insurers direct although they may not be too quick unless you have a hire requirement. So if you want to keep the car and your insurers wont let you, demand to keep the car and contact the third party insurers. In any event, if you haven't already, get the car back as quick as you can because things have a nasty habit of going missing.
Email me if you need help or advice on any of this.
Regards
Mark
Bear in mind that this was a no fault accident therefore you do not have to rely on your own insurer. You could easily pursue the third party insurers direct although they may not be too quick unless you have a hire requirement. So if you want to keep the car and your insurers wont let you, demand to keep the car and contact the third party insurers. In any event, if you haven't already, get the car back as quick as you can because things have a nasty habit of going missing.
Email me if you need help or advice on any of this.
Regards
Mark
I have asked the opinion of the other 2 big TVR repairers and their view was it simply cannot be repaired in the way sugested earlier. The chassis is effectively scrap and requires replacement, the body damage is also too much to fix. As I am now claiming off the other drivers insurance the company cannot by law demand to take the car merely reduce the final payout by the salvage value if i choose them to do so. Just have to wait to see what they put the salvage value at, if it ends up being the industry standard 10% them I could reduce my losses by selling the bits off. Watch this space for new engine (750 miles since fitting), distributor (150 miles), recon airflow meter and ecu, very long list etc etc etc etc
dw350i said:
I think I am going to need a new wedge? nice man pulls out of side junction at approx 20mph into the passenger side. At least got the whole thing on CCTV. 12 -15 feet sideways down the road felt like being in fairground dodgem car.
:weep:
I remember seeing an accident in front of me while driving one day.
Some guy ran a stop sign doing at least 70 km/h (50 zone) and nailed
the Saturn driving about 1.5 seconds in front of me.
The Saturn was hit just behind the passenger compartment, so luckily no
injuries, spun about 270 degrees and into a lamp post. The car that
ran the light didn't even change a single degree of angle....
1.5s later and that would have been ME.
Traffic is perilous sometimes. Life is short. Too short.
I for one want to say, f*ck the car, I'm glad you came out
alive. I hope insurance makes it all well.
Mike
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