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Caught out - brown trouser moment
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:45 pm
by Jon
As feared, I spun the car in the rain tonight and ended up tail first in a crash barrier just outside Kincardine

Not going particularly fast but shouldn't have been in 2nd gear on soaked road and tried accelerating out of roundabout!!
No other cars involved so no damage other than to my pride and the nearside rear quarter.
Can anyone recommend a body shop for repairs in Fife/Edinburgh? I'd be grateful to hear from anyone who knows of good repair shops.
The damage looks cosmetic only but I've a feeling this is going to hit my pocket hard to repair / paint it - please tell me I'm wrong
Any help much appreciated.
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:46 pm
by Sanjøy
Sorry to hear it dude, as long as you walk away and all that.
Is the car daily driv of you do you have a seocnd car ? Just thinking further afield...
SP
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:48 pm
by craigs135s
Bad luck mate. We all just need to take it easy just now. Not sure where to take in your area but am sure someone will know some where good to get it repaired.
Cheers
Craig
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:51 pm
by Jon
More of a 2nd car really, we have a CRV for ferrying kids around but I need it to get to / from train station for commuting. That being said, it's not that urgent just now as I'm off work caring for my missus who is recovering from hospital treatment. Would still like it back on the road asap though as we need 2 cars. Do you think it will take long for a cosmetic repair?
Thanks.
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:59 pm
by Jon
Looks cracked to me, right where the 'Lotus' graphic is. Theres some other bad scrapes also in the same area. Oh bugger, do you think I'll need a new rear clam?
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:01 pm
by ed
bad luck mate, glad your ok, thats three crashes in elises/vxs today!
keep it on the black stuff guys

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:05 pm
by campbell
Jon,
Bad news. But stay cheerful, many of us had a moment or two with our Elises in the wet and were just lucky not to strike anything en route to the scene of the accident...it could all have been so different!
Steve Walker Bodyshop in Bathgate is the fellow to trust with your cherished fibreglass:
http://www.stevewalkerbodyshop.co.uk/
He has worked on several SE cars now, including mine.
cheers
Campbell
[jings, we REALLY need a database for this kind of info!]
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:16 pm
by r055
Jon, sorry to hear that mate.

I know everyone will keep saying "it could have been worse" , but it really is true!
what a horrible few days it has been for lotus ownership!
campbell wrote:
[jings, we REALLY need a database for this kind of info!]
http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... php?t=4632
^^^^ behold ^^^^
....now start typing!

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:18 pm
by Jon
campbell wrote:Jon,
Bad news. But stay cheerful, many of us had a moment or two with our Elises in the wet and were just lucky not to strike anything en route to the scene of the accident...it could all have been so different!
Steve Walker Bodyshop in Bathgate is the fellow to trust with your cherished fibreglass:
http://www.stevewalkerbodyshop.co.uk/
He has worked on several SE cars now, including mine.
cheers
Campbell
[jings, we REALLY need a database for this kind of info!]
Cheers Campbell, I'll give them a ring tomorrow.
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:20 pm
by simon
r055 wrote:what a horrible few days it has been for lotus ownership!

It happens every year around this time. The roads get greasy/damp/covered in leaves and people get caught out. Take it easy for the next few months everyone

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:19 pm
by sliu82
Sorry to hear that mate. i done almost exactly the same thing about a month ago in Edinburgh. my back end spung out when i was in 2nd gear too. i guess like most people have said just to keep the revs down when driving in wet/damp.
I got my rear clam repaired in Aberdeen for £180. the expensive part is the resraying.
Glad to hear you are ok!

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:24 pm
by Rich H
If it's drivable I would say leave it and get the geo checked. The bodywork is mostly full of fresh air so with a bit of luck you'll be fine! The S1 fiberglass is thick too so can normally be repaired. Even if not a second hand reparable clam can be had from ebay for £300
HTH
Rich
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:35 pm
by Jon
Thanks for the kind words. I've just calmed down now - thanks to some beer
Just touched the accelerator, but had boots on, tried to correct the spin too much and ended up doing a 360 the other way and reversing into the crash barrier
Thankfully no one in front and the chap behind had slowed right down to enjoy the show so did not run through me.
I've had another look and although its cracked in a couple of areas I'm hoping it can be repaired but I've no idea really as I've only had it 3 months and never owned a fibreglass car before
A lesson well learned for me here - treat with more respect!
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:37 pm
by simon
Jon wrote:A lesson well learned for me here - treat with more respect!
And ask for a pair of Puma Speedcats for xmas

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:39 pm
by Jon
simon wrote:Jon wrote:A lesson well learned for me here - treat with more respect!
And ask for a pair of Puma Speedcats for xmas

Wise words, I've got adidas goodyear's - should've had them on at the time!