Car Park Scrape

Unfortunately, a van driver managed to "catch" the front of my car and has shattered part of the front clam 

The light is scratched but will probably clean up ok after a polish. Crash box appears to be ok too. Light mount is a bit torn but again should be repairable. I’ve also got a spare fog lamp and mounting that I didn’t get around to fitting – result 

The clam on the other hand is a right mess. I’ve uploaded some pics here:

https://drive.google...BrPybhUoHT9GdZr

The damage is on the lower and upper parts of the clam. There is a tear underneath and a tear on top from the light opening heading up the bonnet. It happened in a carpark, so I have managed to collect some big bits.

The insurers have asked me to get repair quote.

I'm going to email Lotus Hard Tops to see what the cost would be for a reproduction clam and spray. Also http://www.specialisedpaintwork.com and another company for a repair quote. Any other repair recommendations around Northampton would be appreciated.

Would welcome thoughts on if this is repairable or if I should push for a reproduction clam and spray.

Thanks for reading,

Dave 

New clam, easy gig... but christ... How fast was someone going in that car park to cause that damage!!!       

New clam, easy gig... but christ... How fast was someone going in that car park to cause that damage!!!       

Its fiberglass, so a slow flex is needed for it to shatter like that.

Dave

Matt Bentley Racing may have a front clam, worth contacting them

 

New clam, easy gig... but christ... How fast was someone going in that car park to cause that damage!!!       

 

Its fiberglass, so a slow flex is needed for it to shatter like that.

 

The van driver said he thought something had exploded when it shattered

Could always just buy a msv bumper but I’d rather have a new jonnyboy clam aslong as the car isn’t written off!

Insurance seemed quite open to a replica clam. I'll PM jonnyboy for a quote 

Just ball park stuff - I know the clams are around £1k - does anyone know what the prep/spray/fitting is likely to cost?

Dave

Matt Bentley Racing may have a front clam, worth contacting them

Thanks for the tip off - I'll PM him 

I would not bother with second hand parts , its the other insurers paying, I would ask Johnnyboy (lotus hardtops) to quote for the whole job.

I would not bother with second hand parts , its the other insurers paying, I would ask Johnnyboy (lotus hardtops) to quote for the whole job.

That's my preffered option but would like to see what alternatives there are - initially the insurer were suggesting cat N with buy back option so I'm keen to see what my choices are if it comes to that 

Edited by TheStotts, 31 July 2019 - 03:28 PM.

Isn't book price for a vx220 around 4k, which means making any claim a write off.

Unless agreed value 

that clam could be repaired, but getting a garage to do that would be very expensive.

Either get a good used clam or a new lotus hardtops version, job done.

Paintwork would be around £750, plus fitting

I always use Elite Car Body in Milton Keynes for my vx220 paintwork http://www.elitecarbody.co.uk/

If you ring them for a quote say Neil with the vx220 sent you

Isn't book price for a vx220 around 4k, which means making any claim a write off.

 

Unless agreed value 

No agree value under the policy  They are entertaining a repair though 

that clam could be repaired, but getting a garage to do that would be very expensive.

 

Either get a good used clam or a new lotus hardtops version, job done.

 

Paintwork would be around £750, plus fitting

 

I always use Elite Car Body in Milton Keynes for my vx220 paintwork http://www.elitecarbody.co.uk/

 

If you ring them for a quote say Neil with the vx220 sent you

Thanks Neil - I've got a quote back from jonnyboy so will see what the insurance company say 

Don't accept the first (and probably the second) valuation from the insurer, if it gets written off. And writing it off could be better for you.....

My insurance valuation went from £7.5K, to £10.5 to £14K. I brought the car back at 18% so ended up with £11.5K and the car to repair (although mine was clam, crashbox, rad/fans, bonnet, airbag, airbag ecu, seatbelts, plus little bits). 

Start getting your evidence together for the true value of your car.

Don't accept the first (and probably the second) valuation from the insurer, if it gets written off. And writing it off could be better for you.....

 

My insurance valuation went from £7.5K, to £10.5 to £14K. I brought the car back at 18% so ended up with £11.5K and the car to repair (although mine was clam, crashbox, rad/fans, bonnet, airbag, airbag ecu, seatbelts, plus little bits). 

 

Start getting your evidence together for the true value of your car.

Sorry for not replying to this sooner. I have struggled to find anyone willing to repair the car - or more precisely deal with a repair via insurance so am looking to buy the car back. With respect to evidence I have asked if a specialist that has worked on the car previously is able to provide an official valuation. In your case what evidence did you present to the insurance company? I've been told not to bother with for sale ads / receipts for work but would welcome your thoughts. 

I’ve got a front clam for sale if that would be of any interest to you?
It is silver so painting will be required, looking for offers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks - if I get to buy the car back I'll give you a call

Edited by TheStotts, 28 August 2019 - 01:28 PM.