barefoot Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Saw all the gaffa tape, thought it was already fixed just waiting polishing!On a serious note, being unhurt is what counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Admit it VA, you were admiring yourself in your super cool beige and purple wedge in a shop window weren't you!Or were you in a tunnel? Wouldn't be the first princess to meet a sticky end that way Glad you are ok and the wedge may well live on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Volksy, so sorry to hear what had happened, but glad you are ok. Agree with Mr B, forget about it for a few days, and hopefully when your shoulders are better you will be in the right frame of mind to make a decision as to what to do. It doesn't look too bad to be honest. Obviously no idea what it's like underneath but agree with previous comments that it could probably be straightened up. And it might be easier to prep and paint any replacement panelling off the car so every cloud, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 Well, she's been loaded onto the transporter already and taken off to Pentagon in Mansfield, just after I'd emptied everything of personal value and taken photographs of EVERYTHING, just in case. Heard too many scary stories about cars at assessors getting trashed to take any risks with recording condition, mileage, fuel, etc before letting her go. Felt like I'd given up a pet, or abandoned a trusted friend watching her go There's a slim chance she'll get repaired, we did some measurements and checks and found she's the same length hub-to-hub both sides and the grinding noise is the tyre on the wheel arch. Hopefully she needs a bonnet, a wing, and her face straightening, the bumper isn't bent, just the brackets are. Inner wings chassis members are straight and free of ripples or cracked paint, engine bay is still as big as it was. Essentially, the rear of the van has squished the front down a bit, and in a lot on just the wing so if I'm being optimistic I'd say she's repairable. Insurance company has said that if I can provide panels and parts that are required to reduce the cost of repair and risk of write-off I can, which was reassuring. I've also said I'm happy to sort out paint if that reduces the cost. I don't want to give up on her, so I'll do all I can to save her, but I might not be given a choice. I'm not allowing myself to get my hopes up, I think that would be foolish, just a case of waiting and seeing now. In other news, the recovery firm said the recent weather has turned their average of 5 cars collected daily to 25 collected today, so they can't offer me a courtesy car in the meantime. I'm so happy I bit the bullet and went with fully comp insurance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexg Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Bad luck mate, it must be gutting. Please don't let it go for frag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Not sure that was a good idea letting the car go, I would have requested that the assessor came to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volksy Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I think you'll never see that car again, sadly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 I tried to keep hold of it, they wouldn't let me. It's all a first for me really, and I know the horror stories. In all honesty, I can't repair the damage at home, and I need it to be checked out for peace of mind. Worst case is that they write it off and I don't get it back. It happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobthebeard Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Soooo sad, Tears in my eyes after all the effort and dedication.Maybe snatching victory from the jaws of defeat is the next job? Much Lurve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardMoss Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 There is a very good (bad?) chance that the car will be beyond economic repair. However, that does not mean that it has to be written off, an you sold bear in mind the difference between the two states. If they declare it be beyond economic repair you can get the pay out, buy it back and fix it up. I've done this a couple of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardMoss Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I tried to keep hold of it, they wouldn't let me. It's all a first for me really, and I know the horror stories. In all honesty, I can't repair the damage at home, and I need it to be checked out for peace of mind. Worst case is that they write it off and I don't get it back. It happens.Until they pay you for it, it's your car and they can not force a write off. Until you accept their offer it is YOURS so make sure that they damn well know it by phonin, writing, sending emails etc. now to make sure that they are 100% clear that you do not authorise them to take any action without consulting you first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Norman Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 That's a total bummer VA, after all your excellent hard work as well, I'm gutted for you mate... Surely even if the insurers won't fix it (and sadly I doubt they will..) you could buy it back from them and get some shite-friendly bodyshop to straighten everything out on her? As far as the insurance company will be concerned it'll be a £150 lump of scrap steel, so they'll probably let you have it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobthebeard Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Surely this car cannot die? It is a legend on here.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSdriver Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Sorry to read about this. Is it on an agreed value policy? If not they will say it's beyond economical repair. I would collect it from wherever they have taken it and get the assessor to value it at yours. The beavertail chaps really lean on you to get the car taken to their yard because they charge the insurance company like a wounded rhino for the storage. When I crashed the DS on a Friday afternoon I had to explain in no uncertain terms that the car was going to my mechanic who would wait until it arrived. I could see the pound signs draining from the driver's eyes. The assessors I have met have been very approachable and willing to discuss every option. Its the paper pushers who are the problem. Good luck, you will have to be tenacious if you want to hang on to the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dupart Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I had a mishap in a Saab 9000 a few years ago. I caught the side of a parked double glazing van and the rack that they fit along the side on the van (to carry patio doors, etc) went along my front wing and front door like a knife thro' butter! Car was 10 yrs old so virtually worthless and they wanted to write it off. It was a nice Aero model and was otherwise mint, I'd spent a lot on it. I priced a second hand wing, door, mirror etc. from a Saab specialist who was breaking one, then got a price from a local bodyshop to fit and paint. When I put the total price to insurance co, they said that was ok, I'd have to pay for the work and they'd reimburse me less the excess. This they did and all worked out ok. They were going to pay out £1300 for scrap, repairs cost 900 with vat, so I saved them a bit. It's all about money on paper with insurance companies. Hope they are willing to talk and discuss with you. What a bloody shame! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad D. Conelrad Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Oh no Don't let this be the end of the Princess! Fight them on the beaches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 Right, I've been on the phone - and read all the above, I'm feeling reassured that I'm doing the right thing, and scared that there's still that chance it can go pearshaped, but realistic about it all, thanks guys - to the insurance company and the assessor. Pentagon are, so far, superb. He explained that the only reason they wouldn't return the car is if it's Cat B, and that seems very unlikely. He's of the opinion, from a cursory look, that it just needs a bonnet and a wing and a bit of hammer work. I've also been informed that while they will provide a valuation for work to the insurers, negotiation can happen so that I can reduce the repair cost (and risk of write-off) by providing parts and labour myself. If, as I suspect is the case, I need bodywork and little more, I could come out okay from all this. I will likely buy the car back if I have to and have not, as yet, set a claim in motion, merely an assessment, the result of which I don't have to accept and I can get the car delivered back to me to repair myself and not make a claim at all. This is a good thing. Looking at the car properly, I need a CV boot as I've lost a clip on the driver's side somehow (might not be accident related), a wing and two front light clusters. I may also need a front valance, slam panel and bonnet if they can't be straightened. Other than that, it's really not that bad and could have a happy ending. I know where the assessor garage is, I've confirmed it's with them - the advantage of a distinctive car - and they've told me that I'm more than welcome to keep in regular contact for updates. They have a 1 week backlog and also have run out of courtesy cars because people like me have been driving into people in the wet weather. The main two causes of this crash are my rubbish tyres and my momentary distraction (note: not preening, for once ). I hope I get her back, I hope this has a happy ending. All parties involved are aware of just how precious the car is to me and there does seem to be a lot of love and sympathy from the garage guys that have seen her so maybe, just maybe, things will turn out okay. I'm still going to be glass half empty until I get answers, but for now I feel reassured. Time will tell, I would like for this to be one of many more chapters in her story, not the final one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSparrow Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Fucksticks! I am really sorry to hear this after all your hard work. I hope it can be saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobthebeard Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Keep fighting eh? This is your car of course, but on here we feel that it is our car also! Support and help is here whenever you want or need it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 If folks can keep an eye out for the following at bargain prices, that would be excellent. I'm not buying anything until the assessor has done his assessing, but I reckon I need: BonnetWing (driver's side, passenger side is okay)Both indicator/sidelight units, might get away with just lensesGrille and headlight trims/trapezoid lamps. - eBay provides, would you believe it! Very reasonable £23 inc. postage.Slam panel (if I can't get this bent back properly)Valance (if it can't be repaired) I know how much the paint and labour for myself to redo stuff will be (MORE PURPLE) and that's super cheap and the plan is really to say to the insurers when they have the assessor list that I have X,Y and Z so they can cross those things off the list of costs and hopefully bring the cost right down to rock bottom. I really do think getting the car assessed is sensible though, I have no idea what damage has actually been done as I don't have all the tools and knowledge for that and I'm reassured that she's going to be okay while she's away, though it's breaking my bitter, pickled heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Des Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Let's get this sorted this evening, I shall provide a sidelight lens, (don't know which side it is yet) just pm addy as and when it's needed. Who's next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilko220 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Sorry to hear the news VA but very glad you're ok and that the chances of saving her look more likely now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_dyane Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Sorry to hear this, but it could have easily been worse. I'm sure we've all done something similar; I certainly have... Glad you're not giving up, and I have to say you may have a point about the tyres; shite tyres do make it much harder to recover from finding yourself on a collision course, indeed I well remember shit tyres on the back of my sisters 2CV combined with inattention resulting in fierce oversteer followed by getting the front all tangled in a wire fence. I had to get up about 4 the next morning to change the bent suspension arm and wing so that I could get to work on time the following day. I did buy her a new pair of tyres to say sorry though. Never bothered painting the odd wing though like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Knob cheese! This has bummed my whole day. Glad you are OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad D. Conelrad Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 If any cheap collection only bits turns up in my area (south Manchester) I'd be happy to collect it and get it moved on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I may be getting ahead of myself, but if scrap wolseley cropped up, wouldn't that make a nice "restyle". And it would look cracking in purple! (searches eBay for scrap wolseley 2200 / nos wolseley front end) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Ditto what Peter said if anything crops up in Essex or East Lahdahn! Innit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 I've scored a new set of black plastic face trims for £23 on the eBays which is pretty reasonable. Looks like I'm sticking with the quads not going for Trappies. Des, you shall have PM shortly. I'm happy I'm working now, it means this is just about affordable and the more parts I obtain, the better the outlook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polystratus Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I'll have look out for parts too - there's a couple of autojumbles coming up which I'm going to, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Oh sod. That's a bummer, but you seem to be heading the right way with it. Good luck with getting it sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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