Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Well, well... After having used my beloved Plus 2 on a regular basis for a good deal of time with no issues at all, I made a mistake with fatal consequences (see the photo...).

I went out the other day, parked it at the wrong spot, and it was towed. The (admittedly quite nice) young chap who did the towing job hooked it up on the rear A-arms (which have yet to be examined for bending or so), which I think was not so nice in the first place (comments welcome on this point). But as the car has no steering lock, it didn't behave as the guy expected, so he hit a pole, which obviously hooked up the front bumper (see how it is bent), and the rest is history. Isn't that a strange damage? Extensional strain or something lkike this... Wonder what sound must have been like...

I arrived in a bad mood at the towing company's place, as you can imagine, only being prepared to open my wallet and get my car back, but when I saw the damage, that sure was a jaw dropper. The chassis has to be examined for bending, too now, as that pole also hit the wheel. But I have hope that the chassis is still straight...

Well, at least there is good hope that the guy's insurance will cover everything, including a long-desired paint job. As I am based in the area of Duesseldorf / Cologne in Germany, any bodywork-specialists recommended around here? These guys are hard to find here...

Well then, so much for now, and please accept my advice: Better look twice if you are parking the car according to the rules or not...

Cheers, Hans

That is horrendous - I hope you sue the asses off them!

...

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gruesse

CH

the guy who towed your car was a w****r. I'm glad it was not me i would have flipped out
Alan B

You poor fellow, please accept my sympathies and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

That's horrendous If it was me, I'd be wanting to do to his head what he's done to your nose
You have my sympathy & I hope you get things rectified quickly & to your complete satisfaction.

Best regards, Tim

Here in the States the insurance company would total it. I cannot imagine what the cost will be to bring the car back...................Damn...............

Did tow driver hook to the nose? geeeeezzzzz...................

Mike

cal44 wrote:Did tow driver hook to the nose? geeeeezzzzz...................

It looks that way. Wow, that is awful, my sympathies as well.

Sympathies as well Hans. I hope you can get things sorted. Hate to say it, but it really looks like both a new frame and body will be required to put it right. I can't imagine how you feel.

cal44 wrote:Did tow driver hook to the nose? Mike

Apparently not.

From the OP

"The...young chap who did the towing job hooked it up on the rear A-arms (which have yet to be examined for bending or so), which I think was not so nice in the first place (comments welcome on this point). But as the car has no steering lock, it didn't behave as the guy expected, so he hit a pole, which obviously hooked up the front bumper (see how it is bent), and the rest is history"

Hans,

My commiserations & hope for a good outcome for you.

Regards - Richard

As I read it, the tow guy picked the car up from the rear, but did not secure the steering in the straight ahead position. So off he merrily went, when the front wheels swung to one side, and the car smashed into a pole by the side of the road.

As others have said, should have been his head! And as is usual in cases of insurance claims, the party not at fault, loses out. Shame.

Leslie

Oh no. That's horrendous. Bad luck. Surely they'll pay though. Here in the UK rogue car clampers have been a menace over recent years, and the guys that tow cars aren't known for their brains. Hope you get it sorted out.

Sean.

I think the term is 'Arschloch' for the tow driver.. Looking at the picture it looks like the nose may have been off before and maybe not repaired solidly. It is not uncommon frontal damage and can be repaired, but you need a specialist with lots of experience. This may be an opportunity to get the job done right. Sorry, no contacts for this in Germany . With regard to frame damage, I think this is unlikely, but a geometry check will be required when the body is removed for repairs. Replacing the 'A' frames is no big deal and should be done as a matter of course.

Your biggest problem is going to be persuading the insurance company that it is worth doing, so start collecting screen shots of ads for high value +2s, Matty, Piston Heads etc for evidence. Does your insurance have legal assitance as well? If so, make use of it, and don't accept the first offer from the insurance company. Go high with your estimation of the value of the car - start with the Chris Evans car and subsequent high value sales.

If they agree to repair it, you should insist on inspecting the work during the course of the repair, or ask for photographic evidence during repairs.

The car is a nice colour, so it would be such a shame to scrap it.

Sympathy and best of luck,

Jeremy

Haha. I saw that one at the Donnington show too. I wondered what the conversation was just after they'd pulled in, the engine had shuddered to a stop, and the nose had fallen off... that's a fault that not many cars suffer from.

On the repairs to the towed car, when I had my BMW repaired I was able to choose a local garage, but had to pay up front then claim the money back, rather than the insurance dealing direct with the garage. You'll presumably need a jig to check the chassis is straight, so it may need a specialist from the UK.

Sean.

Saw the original post on Sunday......

I'm still traumatized...