My beautiful europa is now smashed

[Bainford]

Very sorry to hear this news. This is just terrible. Wishing you the best of luck with the insurance, and getting things sorted.

[Sparkrite]

It has been pointed out to me that I should not have to accept a repair which is worse than pre accident. If you had an undamaged car next to a damaged but repaired car, Im certain which one would be less desirable and have less value. With a rare classic such as this there is no good reason why I should settle for second best, well this was the advice from a friend anyway.

[europa88]

I don't think anyone should accept any repair that is worse than pre-accident. However with glass fibre repairs especially this is nearly always obvious to a pro. I wouldn't rush any decision yet. As an aside does your registration end in 393L?

[4129R]

My fibreglass repairs are stronger than the original shell.

You cannot tell from the outside.

From the inside, they just look thicker.

[RafM]

My fibreglass repairs are stronger than the original shell.

You cannot tell from the outside.

From the inside, they just look thicker.

Totally agree. To follow on from my earlier post, if you were happy with the car as it was before the crash, get it repaired.
You will be unlikely to find a replacement that matches up to your expectations considering the time you have put into it and the level
of finish you are happy with.

I made a mistake 30 years ago, restored a TC Special and crashed it hard within a month. It sat in bits for years as I got too despondent about
it. Finally sold it for crap money just to get it out of my sight. In reality I should have been far more sanguine and just got on and repaired it.

But, your car, your call....

[Lou Drozdowski]

The most important thing is that you are ok...

Take heart, and if you really feel that all the work you've put in prior to the accident was wasted...
Think it over again, never make a decision when you are upset. It may take some time and hassle with the settlement but, in the long run you will have the satisfaction of making her roadworthy again.

ps...post a pic of the damage, it may help us understand your challenge going forward.

[gideon]

One of the things I dislike about recent pickup trucks and SUVs is the trend towards abominable forward visibility.  You can easily hide a Lotus Europa (or a toddler) in the blind spot in front many new SUVs.  It seems like the trend is driven by fashion rather than any functional concern, so that's makes it feel more frustrating that it is creating an unnecessary new danger.  I've attached a picture of a 2022 Chevy Silverado with guesstimate of the lower limit of the forward vision to illustrate what I'm on about. 

Maybe a flag at eye level would make the car harder to miss.  Something like the flags they sell for recumbent bikes.  Not cool though 

[Kendo]

I'm reminded of those 9 foot antennas people sported during the CB craze in the '70's

[BDA]

A buddy of mine has strapped an orange bicycle pennant to his Lotus 7 roll bar. That might be a good idea but you'll have to be creative with how and where to mount it keeping in mind if it is too high, it will just blow over when you get going.

[Rosco5000]

You can get some really cool lit up whip sticks in the SXS world.  They use them for night riding in the sand dunes and such.

https://www.amazon.ca/Krator-Multi-Color-Remote-Control-American/dp/B07XF1RCF2/ref=asc_df_B07XF1RCF2/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=335328731510&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7490772486389660148&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001494&hvtargid=pla-818890727920&psc=1

[EuropaTC]

Or do like Frank Costin did with the Amigo.

It's a very low car and apparently when developing the prototype in Wales he thought folks wouldn't see the car as it was lower than the stone walls lining the roads. So he fitted a pylon with a light....  strange but true, it's quoted in his book.

Brian

[S2Zetec54]

I'm so sorry to hear your news. Gutting to have that happen

Good luck with the whole insurance process….not sure I can add anything else ref insurance

I have a high (ish) level brake light on the very rear edge of the roof. Sourced from one of the later MG's with the K series engine….TF, an LED number and I keep my foot on the brake until I see I've been clocked….or hope I have

The pylon would be effective…..maybe an air intake for cold and the third brake like on the back of that

[jbcollier]

High mounted brake light?  Pshaw!

I'm fitting a tail gunner...

[BDA]

  

[SilverBeast]

I suppose it's one of the few reasons to mount a "Circuit Wolf" rear spoiler, just so you can get a high level rear brake light more "in yer face"....