News I hoped never to post

[Stef]

This morning I had an accident aquaplaning on the A14 just before reaching the M1/M6

Lucky to of dodged traffic and negotiated behind the 3 trees on the grass bank to stop nose pointing downwards.

Blipi wouldn't run, started but wouldn't run. Even so she was dug in deep and wheels full of mud so unsafe to drive. Aside from masses of mud and grass, damage looked minimal.

Police took me home and I arranged recovery.

Thinking the driver was winding me up, I then broke down again with disbelief that a red 1990's Porsche had also aquaplaned and smashed into me!

So, unsure on next steps. Firstly hope I have no insurance claim and all will go through the Porsche owner (poor chap) and second that Blipi is NOT considered a write off.

I'm ok, deeply shaken and immensley upset.

Advice would be appreciated on getting repair instead of write off. Likely isurance outcome. IF Blipi has to be written off, advice on keeping for parts and if anyone is interested to do the spannering. There would be several parts I certainly would wish back if this worse case scenario has to be.

A very miserable Elan owner

[DavidEJM]

Thats awful Stef, I'm so sorry to hear your news but the main thing is that you are safe and you weren't in the car when it got hit.

With values as they are I dont suppose it will take much for an insurance company to write off an M100 but there are options to buy back and fix or sell for parts. I'm sure someone whos had some experience of this will be along ot advise, but in the meantime just be thankful that you are safe.

David

[Steve A]

This doesn't sound promising, have you got the car home yet?
Photo's would help for advice.
The main thing is your safe and sound

[HJ2]

Aaaahrg! ... not good!
What is good that you came out OK, the rest is just stuff...

Ik hope it's salvagable. Good luck!

[Stef]

Words cannot describe my pain and upset.

My poor beloved Blipi

Side scene.jpg

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Inside.jpg

[inkitin]

Really sorry to hear about that Stef. At least you're here to tell us about it and unharmed such that you can be upset!

Oh no! That doesn't look good at all

[HJ2]

What are the odds...
Does this mean red sports cars are subjected more to aquaplaning than others?

It does not look very good

[Stef]

Well, I have got to think onwards from here.

If that was Blipi's fate then it was meant to be her way to go. I'll feel loss for many years I'm sure but I need to look ahead. At last I was not in her on impact (or I would't be here right now) and at least it was stylishly done with a beautiful Porsche! And was quite local, I didn't roll or get injuries etc etc...

So, I'm in market for another Elan.

I also wish advice support on salvage. Ideally I'd like her stainless wishbones back, turbo and chip. For starters. Her engine, hood and passenger side is all sound.

No doubt I shall have to suffer a boring eurobox for a while but at last it is winter eh?!

Looking like insurance will go through the sorry Porsche owner so feeling better there, but not confirmed as yet.

Please help me on keeping her parts in circulation. I cannot spanner so have a big issue there, but have garage space for parts but not really for working inside.

Obviously value price needs to be agreed and then salvage price, all of which I shall keep you posted on!

So much whirling in my head...

[muley]

Sorry to hear about that. Pleased you are unharmed - which is the main thing.

It seems pretty clear that the Porsche's insurance will cover it. After all, your car was parked unattended well off the main highway.

[ashm]

Very, very relieved that you weren't still in it when the Porsche arrived. From the looks of it you would have been crushed.

I know how much of a blow this can be, having had mine terminally rear-ended a couple of years ago. I negotiated a salvage price with the insurance company, bought it back and reclaimed most of the customisations. The rest went to a longtime LEC member and I believe is in the process of being rebuilt onto a new chassis and tub. This is not a cheap option, though. I have only three real pieces of advice:

1) Don't settle for the first valuation the insurance company offers you. Argue that yours was a rare example in unusually good condition, and provide evidence of adverts for comparable examples from pistonheads etc. The valuation guy wants to spend as little time as possible working on your claim, so he might well offer a substantially higher second valuation in the first few hours just to clear his desk.
2) If you have "hire car cover", don't let them foist an unreasonably expensive hire car on you, the insurance company will aim to reclaim this from the other party anyway so it ramps up the claim, the other insurer will resist, the whole thing goes to court and in the end it massively prolongs the period your claim is open (ie. you have no no-claims, even if not at fault). 31 months and counting...
3) Don't rush into overpaying for an imperfect replacement Elan because no other car will do; get a cheap runabout, bide your time and find a really nice one for a good price. They do exist, and I wish I had done this rather than decide a middling Elan is better than no Elan.

Good luck!
Adam

[HJ2]

I Especially like your tip 2!
I will remember this one for sure, thanks for sharing!

I could help you with the spanners, Stef, but I think Delft is not a viable option...

[RayD]

Sorry to hear about this Stef,

The main thing is, you're still in one piece ... and you weren't in fancy dress at the time.

Ray

[rip]

Glad you're ok Stef. By the look of Blipi's cabin (or what's left of it) you would have been crushed if you were still in there.

I fear for you Elan's future. It looks badly damaged.

Kudos to you for feeling pity & not anger for the Porsche driver.

Be thankful you're alive & unharmed.

[Steve A]

Blimey Stef, you dodged a bullet there, your feeling gutted now but think positively your still here to tell us about it.
You could end up with a better car and lots of spares

[nicowalker1]

Wow Steff, as much as we love our elans, thank god you wernt sat there! Im sure with the help of lec you'll find another elan to help remind you of blipi... Shocked, it always brings hom how dangerous driving really can be!

[nicowalker1]

I know its not going to be at the front of your priorities but wasnt mr pinks still for sale? Solid car for fair money?

[P@ulW]

Hello Stef,
I rarely post, but felt I had to say I'm glad you're safe and weren't in the car on impact - but I imagine the shock will stay with you for some time. I would second the advice about caution with insurance hire cars, having had a bad experience myself.

I sometimes look at jmhamshaw's advert for his beautiful car and wish I could afford it. Let's hope you get a good result so you can choose a fine replacement. You've got winter price doldrums on your side and every reason to treat yourself to a great Christmas pressie.

All the best

Paul

[jHamshaw]

Hi Stef - glad you're OK and were out of the car before the damage was done - I know that stretch of road and it's horrible enough when the queues build, let alone with a load of standing water.

All the best

Jim

PS - If you're really after another M100 I know where there's a lovely azure blue S2 with roll bars and a hard top for sale, and not too far away...

[Rice crispy]

stef very sad to see as other have said main thing is you are ok. Good luck with the hunt Dapinkys red one maybe ?

[dapinky]

Fist things first, glad you're okay - the rest (sentimental though it may be) is just metal and plastic.

I don't think there is much doubt that it will be a write off, so the options then are to maximise your 'salvage' vs getting the largest pot of ca$h that you can squeeze out of the insurance company.

I've some doubt that both insurance companies will agree on just one thing - it wasn't actually on a road, so it isn't their claim It will need a robust claim against the driver of the Porsche who will then have to sort it with his insurance company.... possibly a time consuming process.

Not wanting to appear like a vulture, but as Nick says, mine is still here, and it is the same colour as your hardtop!!!!! I'd even consider taking blippi in P-X. (and it already has stainless wishbones )

Part of your issue may be on retaining the index plate if it does get written off - unsure of current regs on that one

I would actually (perhaps stupidly) point you away from mine and towards Paul Watkins for a replacement (if you realise that you actually WANT another elan).

My advice would be to reflect over time and don't rush into anything....


....whatever you decide, there will undoubtably be advice from everyone and his dog - just do what YOU want and feel is right - and rejoice in the fact that you are around to make such decisions.