Accident damage

[sgrant]

Sitting stationary at a junction earlier today, waiting to turn right, and a car turned across me, accelerated hard, straight into my front driver's side corner. Huge bang, bodywork everywhere. Thankfully the AA could recover the car and it's back in the garage. The front clam, headlight, etc, are obviously all gone, I'm pretty sure that the steering rack is bent, possibly some of the front suspension, half the front loom was left on the road, there's a dent in one of the wheel rims, etc. etc. The car didn't drop any fluids, the engine still starts and I don't think the chassis is bent, although I haven't really had the heart to do a full inspection yet.

I've notified my insurance company. Any ideas where I should have it taken for assessment and repair? Do I just put it on a trailer and send it up to Westfield, or is this the sort of thing that a local classic car specialist would be able to do? I must admit, for choice I'd rather have the paintwork done by a paintwork specialist, rather than by Westfield....

thanks,

stephen

[Westfield 129]

If you can send it off to Westfield, that would be the best choice. The frame manufacturer has the frame jig, and can put the frame back into proper alignment, giving you what you had before the accident. If there is a lot of damage, the frame can be replaced.

The rest is just replacement of parts. Inconvenient, but not really serious. Dropping on a new clam shell is not rocket science.

Caterham, even here in the US, sends the frames back to Arch Motors for repair and straightening. If your Westfield is damaged, and Westfield have a program to address damaged frames, that is always your best bet.

[erictharg]

Bad luck - that's a real bummer.
I'd start with Westfield who can assess what it needs. I don't see why you can't have them do all the mechanical & bodywork but still have it painted by whoever you choose, within reason. Give them a call - I'm sure they've had to deal with similar occurences before.
What was the other driver thinking of? Moron.

[sgrant]

Thanks Guys. I prised the remains of the bonnet off the car last night and had a good look around. There was a big impact into the front wheel, which has pushed the wheel back, bending all the suspension and steering bits. The steering column now fouls the chassis and the wheel is pointing out when the other one is straight. I can't work out if the chassis is slightly bent where the top of the suspension mounts onto it. The accident was only about a quarter of a mile from my home, so I spent the rest of the weekend crunching over bits of my perspex and grp each time I got to the junction.

It was an utterly surreal crash - I've never before had the experience of watching someone point their car at me and simply floor the accelerator and drive straight into my car before.....

I'll start the round of phone calls this morning.....

stephen

[Mknight702]

Terrible news Stephen, at least you weren't hurt.

All I can say is let Westfield sort the car out, they should have everything that you need and no one else would "understand" the car like them.

Hope you are back on the road soon,

Matthew

[sgrant]

Thanks Matthew. My insurance company have been superb; a covered trailer/lorry thing turned up yesterday morning to take the car away and it was with Westfield after lunch. Apparently the chassis is bent, so I'm really pleased that I insisted on it going to them. Finger's crossed it's a straightforward job....

stephen

[sgrant]

...and so it begins.

The insurance company have approved the work now; the mechnicals are being done by Westfield, and then the paintwork by Option One Sportscars, who sprayed the car for me a couple of years back. Good result, now I just have to wait....

stephen

[11admire]

Sounds like a happy ending, best of luck with the forthcoming season.

[sgrant]

Here we are, end of Jan, and Westfield have now started working on the car......hoping that it's with them for 2-3 weeks or so and then off to the paintshop.....

s

[sgrant]

Today's the day, finally.....Westfield have finished repairing it, it goes to the paint shop for the final prep and spray. 5 months so far!

stephen