2685C

[Stephen W.]

I've just tucked Purple Rain in. For now it is only a state of slumber. Filled the tank with fresh premium grade and a little two stroke oil then drove about 20 minutes home. Indoor cover is on and I can easily roll the car forward and back several feet so no need to worry about flat spots. Good thing is if we get another sunny spell I can hop in a go for a blat. Once they start salting the roads though it’ll be spring before we hit the open road again. I also mounted the wires for the battery tender and have them coming out of the bonnet intake hole. Once the nice weather is back I'll tuck 'em up under the coil out of the way.

Looking back over the summer we covered only 2668 miles (about 4300 km’s) but those were some epic outings. We attended over a dozen car shows and at least one Cruise Night per week. The best was our two day mid-week blat around Prince Edward County with four other Caterhams. Here is a brief look back in photos.

[Stephen W.]

“Excrement Doth Occur!”
We didn’t make it to the Stirling Ontario Car Show. Not four minutes from our home we were hit by a neighbour who cut the corner while making a left hand turn. He admitted it was his fault, not paying attention and turning directly into us in our lane. I saw the truck coming so stopped just back from the Stop sign thinking he’s seen me and will change course. But no, with the wife and I both yelling and me trying to get into reverse and honk the horn at the same time it was over before we knew it.
Now waiting on the insurance company as the car is stored inside at the towing yard.

[The Red One]

Originally Posted by Stephen W.

We didn’t make it to the Stirling Ontario Car Show.

Tabarnak!

Wonder what other damages are hiding.

That spoils the summer plans a bit I guess.

I hate drivers that cut their left corners, I'm always a bit back from the stops with the BRZ but with the old reliable
I stick it on the line! A lot of people don't seem to care to look up the street at whats coming after they turn.
Same as when you have a double lane turning left don't trust the other guy to stay in his lane..

Why not get it towed back home?

[Stephen W.]

Oui tabarnak!

I’m thinking the worst like; suspension pickup points bent or twist in the frame. But, I’m hoping for the best.

I see this all too often, people like this guy not thinking or paying attention and appexing corners like their on a race track. Also as you point out, the next worst accident waiting to happen are those A$$holes who make a left turn onto a multilane road and go straight to the far right lane instead of keeping to the far left lane and then signaling to move over into the curb lane. Almost got creamed a number of times from these types.

The OPP called the tow company and the policy is to have vehicles towed to their impound yard until the investigation is over. This is a plus because the insurance company doesn’t want to pay storage fees so they’ll get their act together, or so I hope.

The tow company was great and made sure the car was put inside and under a proper quality car cover. We have made arrangements to have a local body shop do the repairs. We have firsthand knowledge of this guy and his team. He will get the car in and do an overall assessment then hash things out with the insurance company as to what their adjuster has probably missed. He’ll do a quick fix on the tie rod so the car can be moved around and order everything he needs. Then he will trailer the car back to our house for safe keeping. Once he has all the parts and can ensure it stays inside he’ll come back and pick it up.

Getting a good “Imperial” fender for this car will be the hardest item to find. Caterham switched to metric decades ago and none of the later parts fit the earlier cars. I may end up with the original fender being patched.

The biggest heart ache for me is every shop now uses water based paints. Even though I have some of the original paint in a tin nobody we talked to would agree to use it. I’m sure they can match the colour but it’s the originality that will be lost.

[Sapphireho]

So sorry, that sucks.

I hope you find the parts, and get it sorted out to your liking.

[Stephen W.]

Tuesday we were able to pick up Purple Reign from the body shop. Six months to the day from the accident! Think about that, our entire summer of fun lost. All our trips, big events and small cruise nights just did not happen for us.
The Good News:
The colour match is super even though its modern paint. Both front fenders look great and the truck bed liner coating the undersides looks fantastic. Hopefully it will stop the star cracks from forming.
Bad News:
He failed to correct the bent left front fender bracket so the fender sits about 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch higher than the right. There are a few blemishes in the paint and the alloy panel around the lower A Arm still shows a slight ripple. The rear fenders did not get done and there are some bad marks in the PPF on the nose cone from poor storage. It will be going back in the spring to have the fender height corrected and paint imperfections addressed.
The body shop still has to close things off with the appraiser because of overages. One item that they are fighting for is to get me some cash to cover the purchase of a “new” rim if/when one is found.
I may wait for that before going after the insurance company for all the crap I’ve had to deal with as well as paying full rate for a car I have just got back and will not be driving it now until next year. I should not have to pay PL and PD when the car has been inside shops for all but four days out of the six month driving season.
The drive home was funtastic! The sun was shining, it was about 13c and the car ran fine for the most part. While driving north out of the village of Frankford ON and coming up a slight grade a little green Triumph Spitfire convertible popped up over the crest ravelling south. His hand went straight up in the air and waved so I returned the salute. Gee that was a great moment.