Front accident damage

[dans]

Unfortunately a close family member has reversed their Range Rover into my Elan.................


I am trying to think calm thoughts.... such as "it just a car" and "It can be fixed".......but with everything else that has been done in the last month (see other posts about clutches and exhausts that I'm about to update with the lastest!!) I think I am on the ragged edge right now ... just trying to avoid entering a family feud!!!

The black dirt and crap is all from the exhaust of the diesel Range Rover!!!

So... any suggestions on what may be required for this repair? Its gonna be an insurance job so i want it done properley. I am not sure as to whether the bonnet is recoverable, it has gone through and damaged the fibre glass. I think it is mostly light damage to the light pod, stills seems to work fine so don't think there has been damge to the mechanics.

Obviously the main concern is the front part. It has taken a good chip out of it. My thinking at the moment is that it is not going to be fixable and will required a new piece... would it be this one?? Have i got that right?

Anyone got any suggestions of someone who works with Fibre Glass in the West Country/ Midlands? Near Cirencester/Bristol/ Gloucester etc.?
I know Sy has mentioned Xanthoscars in Bristol to me previously so I am gonna get in touch with them. All suggestions welcome. Anyone who has done accident repair work in the past?

Thanks for your help again guys!!!

Cheers,
DAN

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[Paul.P]

Dan, the fibreglass repair shouldn't be any problem for a proper bodywork shop, i would definitely get it done professionly & make your relations insurance pay, you will be surprised how much a proper job will be, & anyway, it will make them look next time !. Sorry, can't help with where to take it.

[dans]

Thanks Paul,

Have spent the morning talking to insurance companies, think it is all sorted now and coming off their insurance and I can pick my choice of garage to do the work.

I have also spoken to Steve Williams Lotus and gonna get them to do an estimate. They are a long way from me but they certainly seem to do a lot of work on Body repairs. Will still try and find someone more local though.

Combination of outside light not working, reversing lights not working, and not looking.... these things happen......once

[stevo]

it doesn't look too bad dans, no panels needed anyway.

[dans]

Thanks stevo.

Is it quite esay to repair these sorts of things then? How do they do it? I've got no experience of this at all..

Dan

[stevo]

it just needs a bit of filler and a front end respray by the look of it. shouldn't cost more than a monkey.

[Stef]

Being a bit of a bumper driver myself of late I can tell you that your should be fine.

Blipi's clam was cracked in my latest bump --Ban all Corsa drivers!!! Die die die!!!... sorry... As sported at Stonleigh.

A good body repair will sort it.

One issue you may have could be paint blending. I know your car isn't pink but most paint fades a little. You may wish to consider a full or front end re-spray. I can see a lot of damage which insurance will pay out for

Good luck mate. She'll be fine again soon.

[Fubar1764]

Bad luck, Dan.
For what it's worth, the damage to our Rita was much much worse. She's still getting sorted out by insurance, but yours is an easy repair, well within the talents of mediocre glasser. Red is an easy color match and blend. You should find that the glass repair will be less than the respray and color blend. Best of luck!

[dans]

Looking at it I am pretty sure that it will need a full respray

Every cloud has a silver lining?!?!?

Thanks for the positive comments, makes me feel better than I did yesterday!! HUngover, stressed, trying to finish a college assignment and a busy week at work, then I hear my car has been driven into on my own drive!! I couldn't decide whether I was going to be physically sick or cry!!!

Anyway, over reaction done now!!

Dan.

Ps... whats a monkey???????????

[chris.t]

thought it was £500 in which case i think closer to 2xmonkeys.

looks like a straightforward repair to me, but as others have said the paint job would be my main concern. Go to somewhere reputable.

[Stef]

It does depend on the breed of monkey really.

Expect to pay a premium for a good one

(Hmmm... no monkey smilie, and just when you need one)

[Nige]

Only a baboon would do really. So without a monkey smily it'll have to be.............

[Monty]

Dan,

Just get a lotus/specialist to do the work since u`rnot paying for it but u`ll be lucky to get a full respray out of it.

PS drive the fuc*ing range rover of a cliff, it`s bad enough a di*k weed of the street doing it but a family member

[waspy]

Dan

We are not really near to you but will be happy to advise if you want to send some photos.

info@lotusrepairs.com

You are welcome to pick Wayne/Mark's brains about ins & fibreglass repairs etc as they will be able to help. 01708 343904

(i dont know if you posted pictures but for some reason I don't seem to be able to see any on this site at the mo)

We are unfortunatly finding more & more Ins co's wanting to 'write off' Damaged Elans due to their value (uneconomical repairs)

Gill
@Sinclaire

[dans]

Hi,

Gill, thanks for your offer of help, you would be a bit of a trek for me though.
Have a had a good chat with a company locally who are certified for Ferrari and TVR warranty work. Seem very knowledgeable on fibre glass too. They are planning to respray the whole front end.

Waiting for the insurers engineers to authorise it now!!

DAN

[dans]

Just came across loads of good info on Body repairs in the Service manuals... was expecting to find that in there!

[waspy]

Glad that you got it sorted,

(Dont forget tho' it doesn't matter where you are our advice is free )

As regards service manual advice be careful that what you are reading is up to date, as a lot has changed in the world of spraying in the last few years, although the skill is still much the same many of the materials aren't!:roll:

Let us know how you get on anyhow

[dans]

Finally got the car back today!!!! Wahey!!!

Looks beeeaaaauuutifull!!

Got a full respray in the end, not all on the insurance. But it was definetly worth it!!!

Now i realise how RED the car is supposed to be!!!
Which was why I decided on the full spray!!

Will post pics and details soon.

Had to take the car straight from spary shop to get the MOT done today.......

[dans]

It PASSED the MOT!!! Yahooo!!!

Back on the road at last!!! This is what it's supposed to be all about!!
Not the last months worth of messing about!!!!!

Bring on the sushine and topless driving!!!!!!............
....................................
................. oh bugger, its december.....

oh well....

[Stef]

Hey hey! Sweet move!

Just drive her in the winter anyway. You can then have plenty of fun polishing your red beast after

PICS! Must see pics!