Well today is a sad day for me as after one and a half years+ of restoration and modifications, and only four weeks of actually having the car road legal and driving, it has been written off.
As I going up a road around a left bend a gentlemen decided to pull right across a main road out of his drive, causing me to slam on the brakes, lock up the wheels(no abs), clip the verge and slide sideways into him.
His mk3 golf seemed to come off much better, damage occuring to his wing, bumper and the corner of his door, the fc on the other hand.. basically the door, sill and roof took most of the impact, forcing the driver footwell to be a foot narrower than it should be and the door to cave in.
Pictures to follow.
Now its just a case of getting the insurance companies involved and the gruelling process of liability. He won\'t admit liability, as he is claiming that I was speeding and as a result he didn\'t see me coming. Long story short, an independant witness following me can confirm that is not the case, and the calculations worked out that I would have had to have been travelling in excess of 120mph for him not have been able see me.
Kind of gutting as I only just got back from driving to the Nurburgring, around it and back again, and its when i\'m driving up a sleepy little road back home that it all gets thrown down the pan. And I know he just doesn\'t care about his Golf.
Still kind of in shock I think but I know I\'m going to feel very bad when it sinks in..
This is how it looked before (but with a carbon fibre bonnet and the ride height sorted);
(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3397/1003056yi2.jpg)
I\'ll get some photos up tomorrow of it current sad state... Still got about 500 build photos and massive progress thread I was going to write!
gutting, least your still here to tell the story though dude!
I was involved in an accident that could be described a similar.
I didn\'t see a car coming at at cross roads, I was on the give way.
I pulled out and he braked and hit me broadside, wrote both vehicles off.
The only thing I could offer in my defence was that he was going well above the speed limit and didn\'t see him till it was too late.
I asked my insurance to have an engineer measure his skid marks and work out his speed.
They said that there was no point as I pulled out and it wouln\'d matter how fast he was gong, that was the end of it.
If the same rules apply to you, you should be ok.
Good luck.
John
sorry to hear this ben, as long as you are ok. the above usually applies unless the speeding driver has been convicted as a result of the accident for Driving without due care or similar. Then the driver pulling out has an argument.
Hopfully you should be fine.
But I did something very similar, had a trackday at Zanvoort, then a drive down to the ring and a few laps there, then back to Amsterdam for the weekend and then home, all in about 1000 miles of full on driving around Europe.
1 week later in sleepy old Cambridge and I get caught out by some damp weather and new tar seal on a roundabout, I should know better! I managed to understeer at about 5mph into a lamp post :( Gutted!
Oh man. Gutted to hear this. Glad your ok thats the main thing. As above it is usually the case that the person pulling on to the road is to blame. Make sure you can buy the car back from the insurance company or remove the engine and all the other trick bits. At least then if you want to you can do it all again with a new shell.
mate - thats really bad news - i hope it all gets sorted quick and easy
as others have said - you walked away from it - and thats the good news :D
That is a real shame to read, I do hope you get things sorted.
Quote from: BenLewisMav;514526Now its just a case of getting the insurance companies involved and the gruelling process of liability. He won\'t admit liability, as he is claiming that I was speeding and as a result he didn\'t see me coming. Long story short, an independant witness following me can confirm that is not the case, and the calculations worked out that I would have had to have been travelling in excess of 120mph for him not have been able see me.
it wouldnt matter if you was going 200mph. your not allowed to reverse onto a road thats got a higher speed limit than the one your coming from.
Also you had right of way so any way you cut it, that makes it HIS fault.
Everytime ive been a car thats been written off its cos someone has pulled out infront of us. (although had i been driving everytime we had an accident, I would have missed them lol)
Good luck with this mate, gutted you didnt get much time in the car. Maybe you can start again or perhaps buy a mint one?
Nas
Gutted man :(
Something similar happened to me a year ago in May, but luckily the car was repairable. I\'m guessing from what you describe as the damage, this isn\'t the case for you :(
Make sure you get plenty of pictures of the damage to the cars, and also the road layout - helped me with my case - the chap that pulled out on me argued the same case - speeding - but the police attending the scene at the time told him that based on the skid marks I was at most 5 mph over the limit and had just come through a 60 into a 50 mph zone and they were satisfied no criminal action should follow - and he was a driver for the police college !
Hope you don\'t have to wait too long for this to all get sorted - but the all that work on the project - wasted by someones carlessness.
Gutted dude... :(.
Thats awful :( Hope it all pans out in your favour :wave
Absoloute wounder, as others have said you could\'ve been a gonner so be thankful for that! The sad thing is that even with a good insurance payout it\'s not going to pay you for all the time and effort and heart and sould you\'ve put into a restoration :(
Hope it works out well.
In the mean time... CRASH PICS! [/nosey].
that is such a shame, after all the work, still at least you are OK and that\'s the important thing. As has been said, as the other driver pulled out it is their fault end-of, but make sure you negotiate to buy back the salvage as you can at least get some of your parts back for a future project.
So sorry to hear that.
Maz
Ok, so here are the pics...
With the door \'closed\'
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4822/resize1ak3.th.jpg) (http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize1ak3.jpg)
Leg room
(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3659/resize2lo6.th.jpg) (http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize2lo6.jpg)
Crease on roof and sill damage..
(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/38/resize3xg8.th.jpg) (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize3xg8.jpg)
Where the n/s front clipped the verve/poss. caused me to slide
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8591/resize4mj0.th.jpg) (http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize4mj0.jpg)
Damage to the sill from floor
(http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7614/resize5xl1.th.jpg) (http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize5xl1.jpg)
In the unit 1
(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8599/resize6hn1.th.jpg) (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize6hn1.jpg)
In the unit 2
(http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5398/resize7nd2.th.jpg) (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize7nd2.jpg)
Got a call from the guys insurance company today saying that he\'d admitted it was hit fault, so weight off my mind now as I was preparing for a bit of a battle for justice. I\'m guessing based upon his attitude at the time, that he explained the situation and the insurance company told him that he would be better off just admitting liability, as (rightly) he would have been unlikely to win.
Just got to make sure that I get a fair price for it now.
Thanks for all the comments and support everyone, I really appreciate it at times like this
jesus - thats impressive
id be glad i walked away un-hurt
should be an open and shut case now though - will be interesting to see what they offer you though
Well, cuts on my face, bruises on my knees and hips, pretty bad neck/shoulder and some intermittent headaches, but yes, I did walk away so that I am grateful for!
Also made me appreciate the work Volvo did on side impact protection!
And to think I considered removing material from the door to save weight on the track...
Ouch!
Do you have agreed value?
Quote from: BenLewisMav;514937Ok, so here are the pics...
With the door \'closed\'
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4822/resize1ak3.th.jpg) (http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize1ak3.jpg)
Leg room
(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3659/resize2lo6.th.jpg) (http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize2lo6.jpg)
Crease on roof and sill damage..
(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/38/resize3xg8.th.jpg) (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize3xg8.jpg)
Where the n/s front clipped the verve/poss. caused me to slide
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8591/resize4mj0.th.jpg) (http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize4mj0.jpg)
Damage to the sill from floor
(http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7614/resize5xl1.th.jpg) (http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize5xl1.jpg)
In the unit 1
(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8599/resize6hn1.th.jpg) (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize6hn1.jpg)
In the unit 2
(http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5398/resize7nd2.th.jpg) (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resize7nd2.jpg)
Got a call from the guys insurance company today saying that he\'d admitted it was hit fault, so weight off my mind now as I was preparing for a bit of a battle for justice. I\'m guessing based upon his attitude at the time, that he explained the situation and the insurance company told him that he would be better off just admitting liability, as (rightly) he would have been unlikely to win.
Just got to make sure that I get a fair price for it now.
Thanks for all the comments and support everyone, I really appreciate it at times like this
Sorry to see, I had an egi written off some years ago that someone smashed into the side of my pride and joy. I can imagine you feel gutted. But tell you what just as well you own an fc, had that side impact been in an fd things could of been a lot worse.
rgds
Brian
I guess he was adamant about not admitting liability at the scene, as most insurance policies specifically warn you about doing so -- let them sort it out and assign liability.
Anyway, glad you came through it OK, hope you get a good settlement.
That must have been one HELL of an impact! I\'m glad to hear you are mostly ok, get yourself checked out by the quack though, just in case. At least he has admitted liability now! Get ready for the "insurance negotiations".
BTW where did you get that bonnet? I was hoping to get one of these off one of the guys on here, but he\'d sold it :(
On another note - are those Infini seats?
Thats quite an impact, At least you have to be thankful you didn\'t break anything.
Just a shame thats another car thats not on the road. Are you going to build up another one?
Crikey, that\'s a bit banana-shaped, isn\'t it?
Brian, good to hear that you walked away from that one!
And I see the FC vultures already circling :)
Quote from: Kron;515019Thats quite an impact, At least you have to be thankful you didn\'t break anything.
Just a shame thats another car thats not on the road. Are you going to build up another one?
I think i probably wouldnt be walking properly with a fractured hip if the impact had been a foot towards the rear. Unfortuntely that shell was excellent when i had it :( Solid throughout, nothing seized and I fully waxoyled and undersealed it, washed it throughly after it got muddy or every week (granted only had it on the road 4 weeks). Ah well, at least it wont have another chance to kill me I guess
Not sure what I\'m going to be doing with regards to the future yet, partially depends on the settlement but I would like to stay rotary and was thinking of going FD. Preferably buy something with a fairly sorted engine (maybe single turbo, at least similiar power to what I had had in the FC) but that needs a bit of body/paintwork tlc.
Of course that means that everything thats on the current car would be sold.. Its a pretty comprehensive spec list, many many thousands spent, mostly new/refurbed. Fortunately I guess, the only thing that got damaged was the shell and door itself.
And yes, those are infini seats. And they are as comfortable and amazing as they look :) I think after the crash once I started looking at the car, they were one of the 1st things I was concerned about! Luckily the damage hasnt extended to the rails and its only seemed to push in on the cushion and slightly on the handle.
Other than that, anyone interested in me posting up a prospective parts/price list?
Quote from: BenLewisMav;515208I think i probably wouldnt be walking properly with a fractured hip if the impact had been a foot towards the rear. Unfortuntely that shell was excellent when i had it :( Solid throughout, nothing seized and I fully waxoyled and undersealed it, washed it throughly after it got muddy or every week (granted only had it on the road 4 weeks). Ah well, at least it wont have another chance to kill me I guess
Not sure what I\'m going to be doing with regards to the future yet, partially depends on the settlement but I would like to stay rotary and was thinking of going FD. Preferably buy something with a fairly sorted engine (maybe single turbo, at least similiar power to what I had had in the FC) but that needs a bit of body/paintwork tlc.
Of course that means that everything thats on the current car would be sold.. Its a pretty comprehensive spec list, many many thousands spent, mostly new/refurbed. Fortunately I guess, the only thing that got damaged was the shell and door itself.
And yes, those are infini seats. And they are as comfortable and amazing as they look :) I think after the crash once I started looking at the car, they were one of the 1st things I was concerned about! Luckily the damage hasnt extended to the rails and its only seemed to push in on the cushion and slightly on the handle.
Other than that, anyone interested in me posting up a prospective parts/price list?
You know us parts vultures will want a list - but I\'d hold off just in case you find an FC that really grabs you (like the purple one on here for instance :) ) and you want bits off your car for it. :yes
It\'s really sad seeing the pictures of the damage and knowing the work that went into that car :(
Yeah - don\'t list a thing or start thinking of breaking it until your insurance is sorted. Stick with the light, stay FC :yes
Did you spend the money on getting your car mapped and brakes sorted?
I am glad you are ok mate. Looks like a really bad crash.
Quote from: Brett;515257Yeah - don\'t list a thing or start thinking of breaking it until your insurance is sorted. Stick with the light, stay FC :yes
Of course, nothing is going near the car until an assessor comes out, just trying to weigh up where to go from here really.
I did have a bodykit on the to do list, and If I stay with the FC I\'ve always fancied a GP sports kitted car. Just not sure whether I could go through the whole \'building it from the shell up\' thing again, even though I\'d be able to do it a lot quicker than 18months this time.
Quote from: AtomicRex;515263Did you spend the money on getting your car mapped and brakes sorted?
I didn\'t manage to find the time to get the fancy brakes sorted (but I was never going to be going fast enough around the \'Ring to need them in honesty). The day before the ferry left for Germany I ended up fitting the turbo on the road outside my uni. house in coventry, then the next morning drove to REworx in Portsmouth to get the car dyno tuned, and as soon as that was finished in the afternoon, to Dover to catch the ferry!
Busy to say the least!
Still, was happy with the results; 340hp @ 0.8 bar boost on a hybrid T04E + Powergains Street Ported 13BT. Geoff commented that it was a very \'safe\' tune and on how smooth the torque curve was. Amazing how much a good rolling road session eased my rotary paranoia :) and made the car just generally behave better
So looks like everything is going to be for sale, I\'ve spent a few days coming up with a list but I\'m sure I\'ve forgotten bits...
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=518847#post518847
I\'ll consider getting rid of the whole lot just to have a fresh start (thats all the stuff on the list, all the unfitted mods I had planned [Atkins thermal pellet, sump baffle, FD oil pressure reg, WI, etc], plus any other spares you might need from the contents of (now) two broken FC\'s. :(
going to be looking for around £3500 for the lot (the stuff priced up on the list is just short of £5000 alone [and I still pretty gutted about that :P]). Priced to sell, so if anyone is interested is important to get in touch soon before anything is sold! Thanks, Ben
Woah!! I\'ve only lost an engine! but you\'ve lost a whole car! Bugger me!
At least the driver didn\'t run away from the scene of the accident like what happened outside my work today. Some pikey had a smash. Turned out he had no tax, therefore no insurance and mot, was on the phone and was 3 times over the drink limit!!! Talking about being over the top!!
Anyways, as posted on the other thread, i\'m interested in the 13bt but i don;t know what is a reasonable offer.
(for non-members: http://themoderngentleman.co.uk/fc3s.html -this is just a copy and paste of the \'for sale\' thread, hopefully the thread will have been moved to the \'parts for sale\' section that everyone can see by the time you read this!)
Interested in the seats and the koyo rad, cant seem to see the pics tho, so could you send a couple to rutpcc@btinternet.com please.
regards Andy.
2nd dibs on the rad if G@ndy does not want it.
Quote from: pdtaylor18;5198432nd dibs on the rad if G@ndy does not want it.
I think Tim did 1st Dibs, I was 2nd, Gandy was really 3rd dibs...
ok i will be 4th dibs.
another FC out of the running, going to run out of them soon :( glad you walked, hobbled away i mean, with all those injuries, you could get one hell of a payout, my mate got about 2k from a whiplash injury when someone went into the back of her car, you\'ve got more injuries so much higher payout from his insurance company
Quote from: pdtaylor18;519916ok i will be 4th dibs.
Actually - you can be 3rd - I\'m going to see what the stock Rad is like with the volvo fan on - may not need to go to a Koyo just yet.
Ouch.
Glad you ok and that guy admitted he was at fault.
Its sad to see such a fine fc get totaled.
I just had someone tap my rear lightly nothin serious just a new ding to the already bad body work but they did a runner.
PM\'d about parts.
just got the parts from ben. looks lots better now!!
the broken slitter wasnt that bad!
thanks again ben for fitting the parts, shame bout the clutch not being fitted. tho car behaved ok on way home.