Accident repair

[Two7]

Still sobing .  Some tiptop ran into me at roundabout traffic lights today and took out my passenger side wheel arch and made a mess of my fw rear valance boot area.  Luckily no damage to chassis or fuel tank but it looks like roll bar mounting has been moved a tad.  

 

Reported to insurance company  howdens.  

 

Question does anyone know a good bodyshop in south west that could do the repairs under an insurance claim.  The wheel arch is an easy replace the boot tub more of a challenge I suspect.   

Anyone had experience of how these jobs pan out.

[GaryH]

Hi, sorry to hear of your accident. I hope you and any passengers are ok.

 

Living where you do, if Howden will allow it, I'd try a grp boat repair yard.

 

Ages ago I had a Dutton Malaga B+, I did rear end damage to it (I span in some rare Dorset snow and hit a lamp post). Living near Poole I went to a local boat yard for the tub repair. At the time I got lucky with British Racing Green spray paint,  but with new scanning technology a boat yard may be able to blend gel coat, or match a spray paint to the tub.

 

I hope that helps

 

Gary

[Two7]

Good idea,  I will see how they want to play it with respect to repairs.

[Two7]

I'm ok slow speed impact and a 4 point harness kept me secure.  The front of his ford Puma is a mess, broken bumper, various plastic bits fell off and the bonnet is bent.  I think my roll bar ate his car.

[Smudge62]

Mark,

 

these people are down the road from you and may be able to help

 

https://soundcomposites.co.uk/custom-composites-product-manufacture/

 

will you be able to patch it up enough to still do Loton next month ?

[Mark (smokey mow)]

If it’s going through insurance I would push for replacing the whole rear tub. Unlike the ZK bodywork which includes the side panels the FW is a much easier job being only the rear panel. Removing it will also then give you the opportunity to check for any hidden damage at the same time.

[Mole]

1 minute ago, Mark (smokey mow) said:

If it’s going through insurance I would push for replacing the whole rear tub. Unlike the ZK bodywork which includes the side panels the FW is a much easier job being only the rear panel. Removing it will also then give you the opportunity to check for any hidden damage at the same time.

Agree with this..also looks like your sides are black so shouldn't be colour match issues and would be far better than repair.. assuming new parts is available 

[Two7]

Thanks guys lots of useful advice.   As its an insurance repair I don't think I can make repairs prior to claims process , so I have got in touch with loton and castle Coombe about pulling out , fingers crossed I get credit notes or refund as over subscribed events 

[Mole]

10 hours ago, Two7 said:

Thanks guys lots of useful advice.   As its an insurance repair I don't think I can make repairs prior to claims process , so I have got in touch with loton and castle Coombe about pulling out , fingers crossed I get credit notes or refund as over subscribed events 

If not you might be able to claim that on the insurance..

[Two7]

Just been looking on westfield parts site .  If they can actually supply the parts, I recon i need a ns fw wheel arch in black £624, orange rear fw centre £1649, orange fw roll bar covers £268.  That assumes they salvage my lights and stone guards.   £2500 parts and  3  days labour so I am guessing circa £4000 .  Given car is 5 years old do you think they might write it off ? 

[Captain Colonial]

I know it’s easy to do and that you’re anxious to get it back on the road, but please slow down, take a deep breath, think logically and do things in order.  Get it checked over (the frame specifically) to see if there’s hidden damage (hope not).  Once you’ve done that, you can look at alternatives.  To my eyes, that bodywork is repairable by a good body shop, and the wheel arch replaceable (put an ad in Parts Wanted) for a lot less than the cost of new.

[stephenh]

I'd be surprised if it could be repaired so well that the repair was undetectable, so if the insurer will pay, then surely a new rear panel is the way to go, but also as has been said, insist on a repairer who has experience of seven style cars, who can (professionally) check the chassis, and then see. If the repairs can be carried out for £4,000. then I cannot imagine the insurers would  dream of writing off a 5 year old Westfield as the value of the car would be far far higher than that!

[Two7]

Thanks colonel.   As the guy who hit me is going through insurance I am worried costs will get bloated.  I can fix it myself if that is allowed.   Good point about getting chassis and roll bar mounts checked.

[jeff oakley]

Sorry to hear your news however the Captain is correct in making sure there is no damage to the chassis and carefully check the wishbones, rear upright and wheel as if it hit the wheel so hard to do lots of damage to his tin top it might have some hidden, if there is any damage like that it will give a whole differrent approach.

 

Do your research and get all the prices you estimate and leave a contingency as often when you strip things down a bit extra damage is found. Most insurance companies will accept you doing the work yourself on something like this but to get best value make sure you value your time adequately and remember you are being disadvantaged with no car to use whilst you do the work.

 

There is a guy who is based in Newbury , Andy Westgate, who runs Westgate Composites, who could fix all the fiberglass and is highly regarded but as others have said boat companies do have the skills.

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

6 hours ago, Captain Colonial said:

I know it’s easy to do and that you’re anxious to get it back on the road, but please slow down, take a deep breath, think logically and do things in order.  Get it checked over (the frame specifically) to see if there’s hidden damage (hope not).  Once you’ve done that, you can look at alternatives.  To my eyes, that bodywork is repairable by a good body shop, and the wheel arch replaceable (put an ad in Parts Wanted) for a lot less than the cost of new.

Absolutely right ^^^^
 

A rear end damage as your photo could have involved more on your Westie than first seen. The only way to check is to remove bodywork to see. Please DONT until it has passed the insurance assessment. They may send an engineer out. If it looks like it has had partial removal of parts it may give problems down the line. 
I say this as you mentioned how badly the other vehicle faired!

 

very frustrating and sad. I am sure she will be repaired but don’t rush into it. 
 

Andy