Hey,

Firstly, let me introduce myself. I recently purchased, as my first car, a 1977 leyland panel van and have loved every minute that I've driven it. Its a red/maroon colour with flames on the bonnet that change colour in the sunlight, depending on the angle you view it from. I was made aware of this site by the previous owner and have been browsing for the past number of weeks. I was hoping to introduce myself on better terms than what has currently befallen me.

Today I was driving on my way to uni, travelling in the right hand lane down Bulleen Rd in Melbourne. The left hand lane was banked up for a few hundred metres and traffic was crawling in that lane as most of the cars were intending to turn left onto the freeway. I was just about to come up to the top of the freeway overpass when, out of nowhere, a hilux ute cut across me from the Marcellin college driveway leaving no room to avoid a collision. Slamming on the brakes and swerving to my left I avoided the other vehicle as best I could but the rear right corner of his tray collided with the front right of my car. My bonnet went under his tray. The result of this is that I no longer have a drivers' rear view mirror and have incurred dents, scratches and a hole in my bonnet. Luckily, as the car pulled past me, the rear corner scraped my A-pillar instead of crashing through the windscreen into me. I was able to drive the car home and there doesn't appear to be any structural damage to the suspension/brakes/tyres or engine.

As far as liability is concerned, I am not at fault and have since had discussions with the other driver. Unfortunately, he's uninsured. I do however have an uninsured motorists clause in my policy which provides me with some cover. And I will be pursuing this matter further with the other driver. (Why people are uninsured I don't get! )

Being new to the mini scene, I was wondering whether anyone had advice on reputable smash repairers/panel beaters/mini specific workshops etc. I don't know where to start with all this and would really appreciate any help/wisdom that you may be able to offer.

Is there anything particular I should look at mechanically? Is it easy to find spare parts. I'm going to need, as far as I can tell, a new bonnet, front quarter panel, grill, rear view mirror and a few other bits and pieces. Also, when it comes to the paint job, will I be looking at a full re-spray for something like this?

I will post up pictures as soon as I figure out how (I haven't read the thread on posting pictures yet).

Once again, thanks for any help/comments.

Perrin

Make sure you report it to the Police and get a report No

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Sorry to hear about the accident.

Try A Grade Panels in Heidelberg http://www.agradepanels.com.au/. I had a lot of work done there on several Minis before Brenton sold it. I can't give any comment on the work done by the new owner - but when Brenton was selling the business he recommended the new owner as an "old school" panel beater that had Mini experience.

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I second that , it will make your insurance company dealings much easier . Sorry to hear about your mini , welcome to ausmini as well .

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Contact Mick here and check out the before and after body pics with his car, I'm sure he will be only to happy to pass on the blokes details.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

i saw you driving your car about a week ago, it looked really nice, i sorry to hear about the accident. i have not used them but have been recommended to use the smash repair place in brougham st in Eltham, there are two there, but it is the smash repair place next to the scrap booking place called collision centre. hope you get it back on the road soon

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I have appreciated all your advice. I've been to A Grade Panels in Heidelberg and will be receiving a quote by e-mail tomorrow. Semii-colin thanks for your comments. I'm going to check them out now, my brother-in-law had his Subaru Forester repaired there and they did a great job.

Also, I went to the police station and they said a report was unnecessary as we had swapped details and there was no injury. I forgot to mention that the other driver offered, on the assumption I had comprehensive insurance, to pay my excess for me. Wasn't impressed. Flatly refused him.

Will post pics soon

Cheers,

Perrin

your insurance company is going to sue the uninsured driver - run it 100% by the letter of what your insurance company says to do

he'll be paying more than just your excess

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

If it is clearly not your fault and you can supply details of the other driver (name, address, license and rego numbers, etc) then it should be a "no fault" claim for you - ie no excess.

Your insurance company will send a letter of demand to the other driver and if he doesn't have an insurance company to pass it on to then it's his problem to pay the debt to your insurance company.

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OK , just record which station you went to , when and if you can the officers name so you can give that to them if they or the other driver ask . You may not need it but it's better to cover your ass any way you can .

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Steve Dolphin in Ocean Grove is very good. No bog!

http://www.aussieweb.com.au/details.aspx?id=2250964

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

[quote="pez88"]Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I have appreciated all your advice. I've been to A Grade Panels in Heidelberg and will be receiving a quote by e-mail tomorrow. Semii-colin thanks for your comments. I'm going to check them out now, my brother-in-law had his Subaru Forester repaired there and they did a great job.

Pez, Geoff at A Grade has done a lot of work for me on my mini. His workmanship is fantastic. He also thinks bog is something best left in the dunny.

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1964 Cooper UK 970 S 'CZ 4289'

Today's developments:

I made a few phone calls to my insurance company claiming under the uninsured motorists clause in my policy. About 30 minutes later I received a phone call from the other driver querying why I am using my insurance company. He then went on to say that he had received legal advice that says I'm at fault. I don't know what 'legal' advice he's been receiving. Interestingly, following that, he offered to settle, without the involvement of the insurance company, and pay $1000 towards my repairs. To me it appears inconsistent, why claim you're not at fault and yet offer to contribute towards repairs?

Still waiting on the quotes to come through.

Perrin

Do it all through your insurance company, let them nail this clown. He has stuffed up, and is now trying to weasel out of paying for his mistake.

I would note down everything that he said in the conversation, date, time, and pass it on to your insurance company.

Good luck with it.

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.