907 replies to this topic

[keefr22]

Aww Dave, that's dreadful news, but as Sonikk says, you're safe & that's all that really matters. 

 

And if anyone could, if you really want to, you can rebuild him. I'd bet on that!

 

Take care

 

Keith

[GT Jimmy]

Gutted for you mate. Hope it can be sorted

[AustinLeonardAutomotive]

I havent been on the forum since November, and the day after I come back and ask a question you're back too with an update.  I was very excited to see how Austin was doing and what your plans were!  Im really sorry to hear about whats happened in the accident.  At least you're still here with us.  I remember how gutted I was when I was forced into a curb, and the only damage was a destroyed rim.  Worst case scenario if the Clubman isn't salvageable, you still have an awesome '68 Mk2 as a father-son project.  I hope all is well and I'll pray for the best!!

 

Your great-named Mini Friend,

Austin

[minisi35]

Gutted for you mate! At least you are ok and proof that a strong mini with a cage can keep you safe when the worst happens

 

Is there any salvageable parts you could use on the mk2?

[rally1380]

It really does pain me to share these images.

This is the car that started it all off and got myself and Jen into motorsport, enabling us to meet and compete with some really great people. Last year it took me to 4th overall on the Vale of Clwyd Classic and has won several grass autotests outright.

We have had a blast in little 'Barry' and that was all undone yesterday afternoon when an elderly gentleman pulled out from a side road with me about 20-30 yards away doing 60mph. Braking and swerving did mean i missed him, but it meant i didn't miss the car following him.

I had already entered 3 rallies in the coming weeks, but i think 2016 is now going to be a quiet one as this is not going to be fixed soon.....if at all.

I've been checked out by the doc's and i've got concussion and seriously sore joints, but luckily no one was seriously hurt. This accident could have ended far worse but luckily i'm still here to bore you with photo's of a crashed car.

R.I.P Barry..........maybe?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into the garage not under it's own steam.......

 

 

 

 

[GraemeC]

Oof that's a nasty one.  But, everything's there and with a suitable shell I bet it could live again relatively easily.

[James_eaton_thewholething]

I absolutely adore this car. It's so sad that people are so stupid and pull out like that. Happy to hear you got out with minor injuries. I'm sure once everything is sorted you will know what to do with the car.

Hope you start to feel better soon

[keefr22]

Oh, b'tard! But once you've got either new panels or a new shell sorted for him Dave, it'll be the perfect time for that respray into Aqua that you've been promising him...!! 

 

Keith

[rally1380]

Hi all.

 

Thanks for the kind comments.

 

There are loads of positives to come out of this but the squashed car in my garage reminds me just how lucky i was!

 

Heaps of the parts can be salvaged and put onto another shell, but i don't really think that is the point.  Back in the day it was the norm for the works cars to go from shell to shell but now that early 70's clubbies are getting a bit rare, i think this one should be saved rather than given up on.

 

I have to put together a price for getting this work done..........anyone know who the best folks in the uk are that prep mini shells for motorsport?? I will quite happily change engines and stuff over as i find it reassuring to know ever nut and bolt has been tightened, but the damage on this means a jig and hydraulics will need to be used to get it somewhere near straight.

 

As best i can see without removing the engine it will need bulkhead work, but it might pull out.  Inner wings are bent and back.  As for the external panels, that is easy, it's just getting the whole thing straight that makes me scratch my head.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[keefr22]

...i think this one should be saved rather than given up on.

 

 

Excellent! 

[minisi35]

Well it couldn't be a more central hit!

Do you think the insurance will pay out £7k for a new shell?

 

You have a few things in your favour from what I can see as the screen and roof look unrippled. How much of the floor has moved?

[rally1380]

Well it couldn't be a more central hit!
Do you think the insurance will pay out £7k for a new shell?
 
You have a few things in your favour from what I can see as the screen and roof look unrippled. How much of the floor has moved?

Not been brave enough to check the floor yet....:-(

As for shells....although a new one would be nice, it wouldn't be a twin bolt subframe one would it. Nor would it have the drip rail on the gutters. I'm sure there are other differences too.

Plus even if they did fork out for a shell, there is still the cost of paint and the other bits that are not reusable like the smashed dizzy, alternator,manifolds, etc etc etc. All adds up.

Started looking at panel prices last night....not cheap are they! Going to have to cost this up very carefully otherwise I will end up seriously out of pocket.

[rally1380]

Well it couldn't be a more central hit!
Do you think the insurance will pay out £7k for a new shell?
 
You have a few things in your favour from what I can see as the screen and roof look unrippled. How much of the floor has moved?

Not been brave enough to check the floor yet....:-(

As for shells....although a new one would be nice, it wouldn't be a twin bolt subframe one would it. Nor would it have the drip rail on the gutters. I'm sure there are other differences too.

Plus even if they did fork out for a shell, there is still the cost of paint and the other bits that are not reusable like the smashed dizzy, alternator,manifolds, etc etc etc. All adds up.

Started looking at panel prices last night....not cheap are they! Going to have to cost this up very carefully otherwise I will end up seriously out of pocket.

[domdee]

So happy to read your going to save the shell, and that your not badly hurt! Lucky isn't the word. Had this not been a rally prepped it might be a different story.

Early 70's clubbys are starting to become like rocking horse s#1t so really worth saving.

I wish you all the best and hope to see you thrashing this mini about soon!

[slidehammer]

Sorry to hear about the Mini but you are ok and that is the main thing. Looking at the pics I think that it is saveable. It needs stripping back to the bulkhead and seeing how bad the damage actually is.