- Thread starter plallenuk
- Start date
My Condolences Plallenuk...
In my mind the key question is 'is the shell or the chassis bent from the impact?'. I suspect that the insurance assessor will write it off as cat C or D. If it is either of these catagories then it can be returned to the road with some admin. It depends on - if the chassis or body is bent, can it be repaired or will it need to be replaced? If replacement is the only option, do you want to commit yourself to the cost and grief of doing it? If it can be repaired do you equally want the cost and grief of doing it?
Unless you can source all the damaged parts and do the repair work yourself I doubt it will be cost effective to repair it (let alone replace either the shell or chassis), so it comes down to how much sentimental capital you have invested in it, and is that enough to go through the process of putting it right even though it might cost you more financially in the long run?
Good luck deciding!
In my mind the key question is 'is the shell or the chassis bent from the impact?'. I suspect that the insurance assessor will write it off as cat C or D. If it is either of these catagories then it can be returned to the road with some admin. It depends on - if the chassis or body is bent, can it be repaired or will it need to be replaced? If replacement is the only option, do you want to commit yourself to the cost and grief of doing it? If it can be repaired do you equally want the cost and grief of doing it?
Unless you can source all the damaged parts and do the repair work yourself I doubt it will be cost effective to repair it (let alone replace either the shell or chassis), so it comes down to how much sentimental capital you have invested in it, and is that enough to go through the process of putting it right even though it might cost you more financially in the long run?
Good luck deciding!
Also assuming an insurance write-off.
I suspect chassis trouble, but was awaiting the release of the new ones in the near future (though it was pretty solid, nearly knoked the back wheel off a BMW mini as the main impact was right on the chassis member at the front). The shell seems to be ok from the wings back.
Massive sentimental value and little or no bodyshop skill makes the decision really hard. I'm thinking mainly though that if I can buy it back at scrap value at least I'd have the opportunity to one day use the dash to convert ta french one.
Wish the bloke in front hadn't been so keen to preserve the life of some pheasants on the road
I suspect chassis trouble, but was awaiting the release of the new ones in the near future (though it was pretty solid, nearly knoked the back wheel off a BMW mini as the main impact was right on the chassis member at the front). The shell seems to be ok from the wings back.
Massive sentimental value and little or no bodyshop skill makes the decision really hard. I'm thinking mainly though that if I can buy it back at scrap value at least I'd have the opportunity to one day use the dash to convert ta french one.
Wish the bloke in front hadn't been so keen to preserve the life of some pheasants on the road
Repair it!
I think you can get the front chassis members off der Franzose or possibly Melun Retro Passion. The way the bottom corner of the bonnet has been lifted up suggests front chassis member will be bent beyond repair. However, if you have a garage/space, the first step is dismantling the wreck. Then you can easily assess what requires to be done.
I have a bodywork repair manual that gives you all the information for the repair and the relevant diagonal measurements that you need, free to borrow for as long as you need it. Suspension parts should be available, given the R4's just put on this site a few weeks ago. If not I am sure someone in France will pick you one up. I am due to driving through in February and March next year, and intend to pick some bits up in passing. New after market wings and bonnet available off the shelf. As your windscreen is intact, I am sure only the front end needs working on.
It just take a little time, but not that difficult. Important to bolt everything together with some simple jig if one has to weld a new chassis member in place.
I think you can get the front chassis members off der Franzose or possibly Melun Retro Passion. The way the bottom corner of the bonnet has been lifted up suggests front chassis member will be bent beyond repair. However, if you have a garage/space, the first step is dismantling the wreck. Then you can easily assess what requires to be done.
I have a bodywork repair manual that gives you all the information for the repair and the relevant diagonal measurements that you need, free to borrow for as long as you need it. Suspension parts should be available, given the R4's just put on this site a few weeks ago. If not I am sure someone in France will pick you one up. I am due to driving through in February and March next year, and intend to pick some bits up in passing. New after market wings and bonnet available off the shelf. As your windscreen is intact, I am sure only the front end needs working on.
It just take a little time, but not that difficult. Important to bolt everything together with some simple jig if one has to weld a new chassis member in place.
politeperson
The restorator
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Looks like he damage is quite high to me. What did you hit, a van?
The higher the better.
The higher the better.
Bobble
Enthusiast
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- Rutland
well lets hope it is'nt a cat B if it is you don't get a choice it's taken away from you, i know because my transit was parked outside my house about three weeks ago and someone ran into the back of it, so back to square one looking for another van now, anyway good luck with it and if you can buy it back for repair or spares.
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
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What a pain. Looks like it was a good one too.
My guess from the look of the bumper is that the chassis is bent at the front. But the body looks OK behind the wings (unless the bottom of the screen is bent) so would drop onto another chassis no trouble. If it were me I'd try to hold on to the remains until new chassis are available. Even if they are not available a front end would sort it. Would be a shame to lose the good bits.
Good luck from me too.
My guess from the look of the bumper is that the chassis is bent at the front. But the body looks OK behind the wings (unless the bottom of the screen is bent) so would drop onto another chassis no trouble. If it were me I'd try to hold on to the remains until new chassis are available. Even if they are not available a front end would sort it. Would be a shame to lose the good bits.
Good luck from me too.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Tim1casa, thanks for your offer of the manual, my exact problem is the space.
Malcolm, it was a bit tatty but good overall. The body (aside for a couple of holes in need of a weld) is almost unaffected from the wings back, although I also noticed from the picture it does look a bit like the bonnet's dented under the windscreen when it popped. I didn't notice this at the time. The little shelf under the steering column was pushed in and broken, but no sign of deformation in the floor and the doors. I had exactly the same thought about the new chassis' coming out next year... Even just to keep the dashboard to one day turn a left-hander right.
In your opinion would deformation to the bulkhead or below the windscreen be pretty much fatal?
You know the most galling bit is that was to be the last day of daily use. I had organised to go and pick up a little runaround to get it off the road to save it from the salt and get it more up to a good standard. Big sweary words!
Tim1casa, thanks for your offer of the manual, my exact problem is the space.
Malcolm, it was a bit tatty but good overall. The body (aside for a couple of holes in need of a weld) is almost unaffected from the wings back, although I also noticed from the picture it does look a bit like the bonnet's dented under the windscreen when it popped. I didn't notice this at the time. The little shelf under the steering column was pushed in and broken, but no sign of deformation in the floor and the doors. I had exactly the same thought about the new chassis' coming out next year... Even just to keep the dashboard to one day turn a left-hander right.
In your opinion would deformation to the bulkhead or below the windscreen be pretty much fatal?
You know the most galling bit is that was to be the last day of daily use. I had organised to go and pick up a little runaround to get it off the road to save it from the salt and get it more up to a good standard. Big sweary words!
mike4gtl
Mad many would insit upon
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WOW I have just listened to your voicemail and ten minutes later seen this. The bulkhead does look creased which is bad. The suspension looks un damaged as it sits ok but it's hard to tell if the chassis is pushed up.
Who collected it was it Manchetts? If it was I can go and see it as I work next door.
Who collected it was it Manchetts? If it was I can go and see it as I work next door.
No, I'd kept my fingers crossed for Manchetts... It was Auto Quick Fix or something, they're in Bury St. Edmunds, but are charging for storage so the insurers have been applying big pressure to get it taken to a free storage yard (in Colchester).
Ridiculous!
I've already put back the collection once, they were giving me the chance to collect it but not been able to.
Sorry for the garbled phone message by the way, clutching at straws to try to keep it local, though today they did say they'd transport it back to me if I'm allowed to buy back. Why don't I believe them?!
Ridiculous!
I've already put back the collection once, they were giving me the chance to collect it but not been able to.
Sorry for the garbled phone message by the way, clutching at straws to try to keep it local, though today they did say they'd transport it back to me if I'm allowed to buy back. Why don't I believe them?!
Sorry to keep banging on,
My next quandry is valuation...
Does anybody know what a right hand drive F6 in good order would be worth, and how I could prove this to the insurer? I have a 'jobs done' notebook dating back about 15 years and some receipts to try to argue it's value is greater than they may assume, any other thoughts/ideas greatly appreciated.
My next quandry is valuation...
Does anybody know what a right hand drive F6 in good order would be worth, and how I could prove this to the insurer? I have a 'jobs done' notebook dating back about 15 years and some receipts to try to argue it's value is greater than they may assume, any other thoughts/ideas greatly appreciated.
Lobster
Enthusiast
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:eek:
Firstly the main thing is that you are ok. Ultimately everything is repairable but it depends on how much work you want to do.... I'd agree that the best thing to do would be to get it back home and then take it from there. Depending on your insurance you may get to automatically retain it as salvage - mine is with RH Classic and you get that as standard.
In terms of value then I'd agree that a good F6 could be £5-6000. Mine is insured for £5k.
I wonder if the easiest thing to do would be to get a decent F6 from France and use it as a donor to build a good rhd one from the remains?
If you decide to repair and need to have a look at another F6 for measurements or anything then you're welcome to have a look at mine.
Firstly the main thing is that you are ok. Ultimately everything is repairable but it depends on how much work you want to do.... I'd agree that the best thing to do would be to get it back home and then take it from there. Depending on your insurance you may get to automatically retain it as salvage - mine is with RH Classic and you get that as standard.
In terms of value then I'd agree that a good F6 could be £5-6000. Mine is insured for £5k.
I wonder if the easiest thing to do would be to get a decent F6 from France and use it as a donor to build a good rhd one from the remains?
If you decide to repair and need to have a look at another F6 for measurements or anything then you're welcome to have a look at mine.
Thanks Lobster,
I'm surprisingly upbeat about it as I escaped with no real injury, especially as the battery cable got caught in the alternator and flashed over (fuel leaking out from the fuel pump!)
It is on a classic policy, awaiting what they say now - I fear I might've undervalued it though.
Was thinking on the same lines about turning a leftie right one day, stuck for space though
I'm surprisingly upbeat about it as I escaped with no real injury, especially as the battery cable got caught in the alternator and flashed over (fuel leaking out from the fuel pump!)
It is on a classic policy, awaiting what they say now - I fear I might've undervalued it though.
Was thinking on the same lines about turning a leftie right one day, stuck for space though
This is funny because I am into Fiat Barchetta's and a few were converted to rhd from the original lhd. Someone commented on the Barchetta forum that a rhd Barchetta is like having a sex change: Its planned out well in advance, and carried out by trained individuals but it just ain't right.
It might not be pc but it made me smile...