Three Speed Thread - Traction Avant vs Fiat 500 - call it a draw?

[Three Speed]

Since the last update I've driven the Traction to Poland and back for the ICCCR and then to Northumberland and back for the TOC Rally.  Poland was very hot, Northumberland very wet. Both trips were punctuated by starter motor problems, now fixed. The Poland trip was marred by some vibrations from a failing inner CV joint. I replaced one drive shaft before the Northumberland trip which made a big difference. The other side needs doing and the plan was to sort it over the Christmas break. 

Yesterday the Traction had a coming together with a Fiat 500. Offside to offside. Low speed - in fact I was stationary waiting to make a right turn. Both cars suffered exactly the same damage to bumpers, offside front and rear wings and scraped doors. And both suffered front suspension damage pushing the front offside wheel back. Nobody hurt. Luckily it happened close to home for both cars so they could limp back to lick their wounds. I don't know how the Fiat drives but the Traction pulls to the left - a lot. On right lock the wheel rubs the exhaust downpipe.

Also, luckily, this is the side that needs the drive shaft changing. I now also need to change the upper wishbone which is very bent. I don't think anything else underneath was damaged. I'll let the insurance sort the bodywork as and when but I'll get on with the driveshaft and wishbone asap because I don't want it sitting around without being able to move. And it will need to move for the bodywork to be addressed.

[High Jetter]

Hope you can fix it

[Matty]

My greatest fear with our old cars is something like this happening. Awful. 

[Three Speed]

Thanks. Apart from the dings to the wings which would be hard for me to fix but easy for a body shop, the only damage seems to be to the wishbone.And that’s just spannering.

[Dyslexic Viking]

Sad that it happened but good that it seems easy to fix.

[bigstraight6]

3 hours ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

Sad that it happened but good that it seems easy to fix.

Same sentiments from me, how easy/difficult will it be to source the required parts?

[Three Speed]

New wishbones are not available but since they don’t rot or wear out (just bend) finding a secondhand one should not be a problem. New bushes are available.

Bodywork is more difficult. The rear wing is not badly damaged. The front wing should be fixable but, if not there are secondhand ones around and the club did have a new pair made a while ago. New bumpers are available but I don’t need one.