shaken not stirred

[TSD]

Fishtailed my esprit into a concrete lamp post this morning. A real tank slapper. My fault. Wet road, negative camber crest of hill accelerating. drive it daily, usually much fun. Reeling in the tail on that thing isn't as easy as my Elise was. Nobody hurt thankfully.

Rear bumper, lower valance, rear wing boot and deck smashed. Couldn't really inspect it yet, but exhaust crushed like a tin can onto the back of the tranny. Catylist smashed, couldn't open the boot the check further. Is sitting at a body shop next to a 360 which suffered a similar fate.

Can she be fixed? Where to find a rear clip at a reasonable price in europe/UK?

PS - was rear-ended on the way home in a borrowed car. Stopped for a cyclist who rode out onto a cross walk. Driver behind didn't. Bang. Somebody is trying to tell me something.

[WayneB]

Sounds like your day couldnt have gotton any worse At least you are in one piece .Are you going to repair it yourself(at your cost) or are you claiming on your insurance? Repairing a fiberglass car properly is quite difficult, do you know a fiberglass shop in Belgium that can do the job? The repair sections are still available from Lotus (at a price) or you can contact someone like Nick Warren who cuts up old Esprits for spares(cheaper alternative) His email address is nw@kerridge.com:)

Edited July 6, 2005 by WayneB

[Splashout]

Firstly let me say sorry to hear that i know how you feel first hand and most important thing is that no one was hurt.

From what you have said so far it sounds like it could well be possible to repair the big question is has the body shell been damaged or is it just bolt on bits i was lucky with mine in the fact it was just bolt on parts.

Getting them may be a challenge you may be looking at getting them overseas and shipping them which would obviously add to the cost.

Really need more info but fingers crossed for you.

If you want a comparison my accident is documented on LEW wrecked esprits page, not a good badge of honour but will give you a reference.

Glyn

[TSD]

The spoiler, boot and left rear wing are smashed up so I think they will need to graft on a significant part of the back shell. I'll get some photos up perhaps later today. I won't be able to repair it myself, and it will be coming out of my pocket. The owner of the bodyshop has an old elan, and when I was there I saw a Ferrari 360, TVR Chimp, Lotus 11, Lotus Elite, and he is recommended by some Elise owners, so I assume he knows what he is doing. Alternatively, I could think about trailering the car to England to SJ but that would take a weekend and cost a fair amount as well. Need some time to think it through.

[slade]

Dude, I feel for you

I remember my first experience with the Esprit and a wet road... I wound up sliding down a one lane freeway offramp sideways with a cliff on each side at 3 in the morning. Somehow I both didn't hit anything, didn't fly off either side of the cliff, and no one hit me ( my friend was following me, luckilly he stopped in time...)

Just get it fixed as quickly as possible and you'll feel better ... I know how it feels...

Glad you're ok. Anyways, it sounds like the damage is repairable.

slade

[jimmybondi]

TSD, sorry to hear about your 'mishap'

There is a good Belgian dealer near the German border, can't remember the name, though - Le(grand)... or something

otherwise you could talk to van der Koii in Holland (Utrecht) or there is an excellent shop in Wiesbaden, Germany: Ramspott & Brandt, they have done a very good job on repairing my Turbo.

[Jussi]

TSD, sorry to hear glad you're okay

Easiest way to fix it might be to start from your "local" bodyshop. At least he knows about exotics cars, so if he couldn't fix it maybe he knows someone.

Good luck, let's hope you're quickly back on the streets

[jimmybondi]

TSD, sorry to hear about your 'mishap' 

There is a good Belgian dealer near the German border, can't remember the name, though - Le(grand)... or something

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Name of the dealer is Leclerc.

Ahhh, memory is coming back...

[TSD]

Ok, here's the photo. the chassis hoop LHS is just slightly collapsed being impacted by the catalytic converter. I don't think the chassis is bent, but don't know how difficult it will be to weld in a new tube.

Also the transmission is leaking oil now, I think it is the back cover which is bent due to the exhaust being crushed and pushed aside. Hopefully not more.

Am now looking for parts - it looks like SJ has quite a few and also someone pointed me to Douglas Valley Breakers in Lancashire, they have a backend I could use.

A BIG favor to ask. If some kind soul with a Lotus Parts guide could scan or photo the pages with the back body parts (ideally US spec as some fasteners are different), this would be VERY helpful to order all the bits and bobs I will need to bolt it back together.

[WayneB]

I have the U.S. parts book and will email you the pages

[TSD]

Wayne,

that would be a great help!

Edited July 13, 2005 by TSD

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Sorry to hear about that mate .It doesnt look to bad. I'm sure it can be easily fixed. You'll soon be thrashing about in her again.

[TSD]

thanks, I hope so. I'm gutted. It's looking like a 3-4 mo wait to get all the parts and repairs done which means this season is pretty much shot. And thanks Wayne - I've been studying the parts lists. Will be more concerned about forking out to fix it instead of getting those nice adjustable dampers...