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got into an accident.... need to get it fixed

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 22:40
by humanoid
Got into an accident a couple weeks ago and need my 7 hopefully fixed. Need to find a shop that specializes in these "specialty" vehicles as we all know that parts are very difficult to come by. Was going to take my 7 to a local Seidners Collision Center, but they said they were afraid they wouldn't be able to source the parts to fix the car and the insurance company told me to find a shop that fixes up these cars. So I need a favor from you folks, need to find a body shop in or near the San Gabriel Valley in California that can handle all of this. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Oh, below are a couple pics of how my baby looks now :(.

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<h3><b><font color="orange">1980 Inca Yellow TR7 Convertible</font id="orange"></b></h3>

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 23:08
by PeterTR7V8
Bad luck. That makes 5-6 cars this year. Any bruises?

You will definately need parts. I doubt anyone will try to fix that front panel. Look for a donor car that can supply you with a hood, front panel, light pod & bumper. It will probably be a lot cheaper & easier than buying them from Rimmers et al. Maybe someone here can supply one. Has the chassis rail bent?

Put a brake upgrade on your list of things to do too. [;)] Good luck

Have you thought about leaving it outside Jay Leno's house with a note under the wiper. He may take it in & raise it as one of his own. Sorry.

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Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 23:17
by humanoid
I'm OK, Peter, thanks, but not my 7 as you can see. It looks like the frame could be bent, can't be sure, need to put it on a lift to make certain. If it's too much trouble to fix I'll just have to total it maybe and get some money back.

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<h3><b><font color="orange">1980 Inca Yellow TR7 Convertible</font id="orange"></b></h3>

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 23:34
by nick
Who is your insurance? The classic car insurance guys pay out whatever you contracted for. The conventional insurers will give you what the going rate is for that car minus deductable. Depending on what you have, you may be able to fix it with Rimmer parts. Otherwise a parts car is the only other option.

nick

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 23:52
by humanoid
I have Safeco, but only had collision coverage. The other party has State Farm and they have assumed liability for all repairs. I've been scouring the internet for the last 2 hours and have found a couple places, but they only do restorations, sent them an email and awaiting for replies. If it ends up being a parts car then so be it.

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<h3><b><font color="orange">1980 Inca Yellow TR7 Convertible</font id="orange"></b></h3>

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 23:56
by bmcecosse
Ominous pool of oil underneath - I suspect it will be a write-off. Fight hard for the best pay-out!

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Posted: 09 Dec 2009 00:22
by V8Wedgehead
I have seen a lot of TR7s & 8s that got front ended, side swiped, rear ended and from the pictures your frame is definately bent and the front end swayed. You might seriously want to start looking at another body shell this one would require complete front end strip and the cutting sections out as far back as the bulkhead/firewall and using donor front end of the same years start splicing parts in. In the end take the money and find another shell. [:(]

Michael
1980 TR8 FHCs; Rally Conversion #0020 & Stock #0058
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If it is broken then fix it....if it is not then make it faster!"

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 00:54
by silverseven
come on guys, that's hardly a write-off!!


It does need a frt clip, but with the price of donor cars, it shouldn'd be hard to find a complete frt(if not whole parts car) for under a grand.
A good frame dozer will pull the car back straight in less than a day, then trim and stitch the replacement frt section back on, and a little paint , she'll be back to new! Most shops should be able to handle this in about 40 to 50hrs. I 'd say make an insurance settlement for cash (contract price) and then look for a good private local shop with good references (talk to yor local clubs/parts suppliers)

Ron.

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Posted: 09 Dec 2009 01:10
by FI Spyder
What did the other car look like?

As the other car assumed liability I bet they ran a red light or stop sign and you T boned it, right?


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra
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Posted: 09 Dec 2009 01:45
by MickeyR
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by silverseven</i>

come on guys, that's hardly a write-off!!

It does need a frt clip, but with the price of donor cars, it shouldn'd be hard to find a complete frt(if not whole parts car) for under a grand.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<font size="2"> Agreed. What was the line from "The Holy Grail"?

"It's merely a flesh wound. I've 'ad worse!"

I'm sure you can find a front clip, as Ron says.

Glad you're OK, though.

Mickey </font id="size2">

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:21
by jclay (RIP 2018)
Drop these guys a line!

Carlos Costa
Dell Autobody
carlos@dellauto.com
http://www.dellauto.com/

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jclay

[url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Technical/Intro.html"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/53/wo/HJMTK8gsojtwKleP.1/0.2.1.2.26.31.97.0.35.0.1.1.1?user=jclaythompson&fpath=Triumph_Articles&templatefn=FileSharing4.html"]Download Page[/url]

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 03:02
by humanoid
The other car was a brand spanking new 2009/10 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner, so the truck was lifted. I was going straight and he wanted to turn left into a driveway, he stopped in the middle of the turn and I had no choice, but to hit his bumper. Looks like he only had a flesh wound while my 7 looks like this. So sad....

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by FI Spyder</i>

What did the other car look like?

As the other car assumed liability I bet they ran a red light or stop sign and you T boned it, right?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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<h3><b><font color="orange">1980 Inca Yellow TR7 Convertible</font id="orange"></b></h3>

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 03:11
by Yoke
Yea it shouldn't be too hard to find a donor car, shit I've got three sitting in various locations of my own lol. I also know of four more in the city just sitting in back alleys collecting dust. Call around to any British specialty shops they usually have an inside scoop on everything. I've also discovered in the last couple of years to join other car forums/clubs in your area. You'd be surprised at the connections you'll make and leads your going to get.

Yoke

Can't save them all but I am trying!!!

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 04:29
by PeterTR7V8
Mine was much worse. Several shops gave it the last rites but in the end it was no big deal to fix.

What it comes down to is how much you want this car to get fixed. If one wedge is the same as another wedge to you then get another one but there's no real reason why this car can't get back on the road.

Are you sure you are OK? I thought Americans got whiplash & chronic back pain on the advice from their lawyers after just witnessing an accident. [:D]

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Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 06:22
by Yoke
LMAO

"Are you sure you are OK? I thought Americans got whiplash & chronic back pain on the advice from their lawyers after just witnessing an accident."
[:D]


Can't save them all but I am trying!!!