Oh dear - Help needed

[Andy Nelson]

To set the scene took the S for its first night away trip yesterday. Whilst leaving a mates drive in convoy he decides that he will try and run over the S with me in it! He hit the front drivers side corner with the back of his Euro box Vectra

As a consequence I now need a new Headlight and surround. Any one got any parts numbers or contacts.

I have also been thinking would now be a good opportunity to upgrade? What are the options and how much work is involved?

Also need some paint touching up, is there a list of paint codes used by TVR mine is metallic green (british racing green called cooper green I think) again any one got any part numbers and contacts.

BUT most importantly and I have no idea how the front indicators are intact!!

Hopefully this shouldn't take too long to sort and will be back in one piece soon.

On a lighter note didn't miss a beat all weekend and great fun!

[tvrgit]

Check very carefully around the hinges. The hinges bend easily and the plywood hinge panel bonded to the bonnet can splinter or delaminate. Make sure that the bonnet alignment is absolutely right before you conclude how much damage was done.

Also check for any cracking or crazing, even some distance from the point of impact, if the bonnet has flexed.

Can't help with the paint codes, sorry.

Headlamps - any 7 inch headlamp kit will fit. Mine are land rover, crystal lenses (the glass is clear and the beam pattern is moulded into the reflector). I used higher output power bulbs (same wattage as the originals though)

I personally wouldn't go for the higher wattage bulbs or the HID kits because they draw more current and I'm not sure TVR wiring is up to it, and I am not prepared to risk a fire. I'm also not sure that aftermarket HID kits are legal, without self-levelling.

[Gerald-TVR]

Replaced my head lights with these, and very happy

http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/prod/wipac-quadoptic.html

with the 50% upgraded halogen bulb at £46 pair plus £7 P&P

Also these rims

http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/prod/chrome-rims.html

at £18 plus £3.50 p&p

[Andy Nelson]

Thanks for tyhe help guys much appreciated knew I could rely on you

I will check the bonnet ober properly tonight.

Thanks for the links Norman. having had a look on the website I am tempted to go for the free form headlights. What are peoples opinion on these? I appreciate it will be deviating for as designed but what do we think?

Thanks again

Andy

[Last S4]

SVC want £65 for the Clear Wipac Freefrorm lights.
I payed less than half for them on Ebay, check item 230336075573
Just remember to ask for the type with a fitted sidelight or you get a set without.

[ketvrin]

Hi Andy

Thats a bummer mate I hope the damage is limited to what you say... I guess the total bill should be less than your mates dental bill

Theres plenty of options with headlights as said above, I went for Wipac Quad Optics and the kit came with standard bulbs - which I would upgrade like TVRGIT suggests - Halfords did a "95% brighter" (they dont say what its 95% brighter than ) with a buy one get one free for around £19.00 a short while ago - I fitted a pair to my daily drive and they were an improvement.

Theres plenty on this forum about replacement indicator lens so happy searching. I went for a trimmed down version of the originals when I tidied up my cracked (flanges only) lenses and they look alright - I'm in the market for another as I broke one soon after sorting them - Duh!... I also have a new pair of originals safely tucked up in a secret location awaiting my retirement but I have seen some very good BMW/Ford conversions (I personally dont like the look of the Kia ones, but many do...)

good luck

K

[Andy Nelson]

Just re read my post it is too early to type properly it would seem!

Thanks for the advice I will shop around but as I am not paying thought I would get a price to the mate that did the damage! As with the current run of reasonable weather I would like the car back on the road ASAP.

The front indicators are unscathed ! still as new (with 1 pre-existing crack on the passenger side)

Thanks for the help had a look on the TVR paint colours Wiki just need to find the original colour I assume this is in the paperwork somewhere....

Might take the opportunity to get the stone chips etc sorted on the front of the bonnet whilst the spray pot is out. Got a painter that works for me painting cases and everyones car on the side so no concerns their.

[ketvrin]

Andy

the paint colour code will be on the "VIN" plate under the bonnet ~ I think they are usually on the nearside flat area rear of the washer bottle...

K

[Gerald-TVR]

I think I would have gone for the 'free form' headlights if they had been available when I got the Wipac Quad optics. There was a car at SCH09 with the free form lights does anyone have a pic of it/them?

[johnnywgk]

Shame he is a friend, or you could have swopped indicators over (damn, i thought i grew out of this nastyness hehe).

[Andy Nelson]

Thanks again for the advice

As for the indicator trick........... never thought of that was just so relieved they were not broken especially as just before that I had been telling him how rocking horse S*** was easier to find and no doubt cheaper.

[Barkychoc]

I got some Cooper Green metallic touch up from Halfords, it was listed as a TVR colour but was one digit out from the code in my owners manual. (I'll dig this out if you need it).

If it needs spraying its going to have to be done professionally to get a decent match.
A new bonnet is £750 from HERE if it comes to that.
Gel cracks will get worse if they are not professionally sorted.

Edited for slpeling

Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 13th July 13:27

[Wiz]

Gerald-TVR said:

I think I would have gone for the 'free form' headlights if they had been available when I got the Wipac Quad optics. There was a car at SCH09 with the free form lights does anyone have a pic of it/them?

Got mine from the bay, do work very well.

[Andy Nelson]

Right then

Had the S to bits and checked the bonnet out especially as advised around the hinges and release clips and no damage visible.

The only slight concern I have is around the light itself I would appreciate some advice and will post a photo when the search function will let me in and tell me how.

The light is knacked along with the rings but the holder is OK so will just replace the screws with Stainless as rusty and put back together.

Freeform lights ordered so will give some feedback when it is all back together.

[ketvrin]

Hi Andy

for pictures ... when you reply to a post there is a line of options just above the panel you are entering your reply in and the far right option is "Upload an image (Beta)" just click on it and follow the instructions...

look forward to seeing the pics now

k

[Andy Nelson]

Photo of damaged area

[Andy Nelson]

Bump

Any comments?

[Barkychoc]

Sorry Andy I can't see pics at work, I'll try to remembeer to look later.

[jimed]

Off topic a bit but I'm pleased to see that Chris is back at work.
Jim

[Barkychoc]

Thanks Jim