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TR6 First Latest on my smashed TR6.....

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bricktop

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First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

First of all folks, I appreciate the concern for my and my wifes health. I did go to the ER Sunday night and left with four staples to close a laceration on the top of my head. Not sure exactly what I hit after we were rear-ended...kind of a blur.

Got the car out to my local LBC experts today via flatbed and from the initial feedback the car will not be salvaged. The frame appears to be both bent AND buckled. I could pretty much diagnose that at the scene. Unfortunately, my insurance situation is not in my favor. Even though I have USAA, I was only carrying liability on the car. No classic car riders or anything...plain, vanilla liability. Lesson learned there, but who knew? This car is a weekend warrior/car show candidate at best.

Anyway, I have decided to get a lawyer. Fact is, I don't want another car. Even if their insurance would give me exactly what I paid for it three years ago (14k), I could never go into the free market and find a commensurate car. The particular mix of factory and aftermarket adds made it stand out among its peers within the same year/make/model. My TR had a particular aesthetic appeal that can't be replaced and since this car cannot be rebuilt...I am looking at ways to RE_CREATE it. What about finding a frame and tub and salvaging everything off of the current car that can be transferred..fill in the missing pieces where necessary...spray the same color etc etc. I may be charging at windmills here, but I do not want any other 6 than the one I have right now. Realistic?
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

It's not UNREALISTIC, although it might well take some time to find the right candidate, let alone do the work. Of course, there's always the possibility of a new RAT-CO chassis; that is, IF the body tub is salvageable (frankly, I doubt it).

Meanwhile, any and all legal advice is a very good idea. Most importantly, you do need to make sure any and all health issues related to this crash are covered by the other party. And the fact that you didn't have coverage beyond liability shouldn't necessarily be a factor here; after all, it was not YOUR doing that caused the crash. And, it's not like some old beater Plymouth with relatively little value whole OR crashed. It should be fairly easy to establish a real value on what is obviously a well-recognized collector car. I suspect you'll have to accept the fact that whatever you do get likely won't be quite enough to "recreate" your car, but....
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

You know...here's the thing. I set out specifically to find the following things in a TR6...I wanted a '76 with overdrive, a roll bar and preferably green. I had AMAZING luck in that I found a car on eBay that was all of the above, as well as having a fairly recent restoration, and it was LOCAL! The capper is that I was deployed in Iraq at the time I found it and bought it while still halfway around the world. The car was waiting for me in the garage when I got home from the Middle East.This car and I were meant to be together!

In addition, there was a bunch of aftermarket upgrades done by the previous owner. Not sure the Forest Green color was ever a Triumph option, but I may be wrong there. Eitherway, the color is gorgeous. The contrast with the tan interior/top combo is stunning. It has a group 44 rallye stripe on the bonnet that was only seen on a TR 250. It makes the car absolutely unmistakable, although concours is out! In addition, a rollbar, an HU carb upgrade, monza four-tip exhaust, koni rear-shock upgrade, spin=off oil filter, triple air horn, upgraded valve cover and more.

This PARTICULAR TR6 has a swagger factor that I just haven't seen very often.
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

?'s:

Are you planning to rebuild it yourself?
If yes, do you have space, tools, and knowledge?
If yes to the above ?'s, it should be possible to find another car, perhaps with blown engine,no engine, or other problem for which you already have the parts.
What you obviously want to avoid is RUST! Be patient and don't buy until you find the car that will work for you.
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

search some of my old threads. I was in the same boat, Six months, and I have the same car, major work but I took all the good parts from the smashed TR and built the same car. The new TR is a better car 9.5 paint, 5-speed trans and many other goodies thanks to the ins. settelment. Don't be to hasty on your decision. TR's are forever.
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

No no no...let me be clear...British & Classic Car Docs in Upperville, VA would be doing the ENTIRE project from start to finish. Even if I had the time, tools, space and most importantly THE ABILITY (LOL), I would have the professionals recreate this car on principle alone. I was 100% the victim here...the accident was entirely the other drivers fault. No way I'm trying to pay for any of this in either money OR sweat equity.

I just drive 'em brother...not looking to restore one! At least not at this stage of my life!

I see you can order a new frame from Moss...can you order a new shell for a TR6 anywhere???
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

By the way Dan, how did you get such a good settlement??
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

Andrew Mace said:
And the fact that you didn't have coverage beyond liability shouldn't necessarily be a factor here;
Click to expand...
Agreed, but it does likely mean that USAA won't help much.
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

Answer: LAWYER!
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

Unfortunately USAA will be no help at all,(because I know first hand) if you had collision they would step in on your behalf. I would see a laywer but I am guessing if you are lucky you will get the 14K back you paid for the car. Take the bill of sale and any pics you have to your lawyer and if your hurt make sure he knows too, I am sure he will use that to your benifit. and if the person that hit you doesnt have insurance I hope you live in a state that has uninsured motorist coverage then USAA will get back involved, In NC we are required to have uninsured motorist coverage but really its your insurance that pays Good luck
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

Brosky said:
That body shell on a Ratco frame would be a beauty Frank.

It's pictured here: Roadster factory Tour and Body Shell

It's the (8th) picture down the page. Black with red stripe beauty!!
Click to expand...

Paul, et al, that's exactly what I was thinking. I can't begin to presume, but if it was me (hint, hint) , I would approach Charles and Tony. Maybe if they were approached in the right way 'Bricktop' could get a substantial break and in turn they get an incredible bit of advertising. Unlimited possibilities, e.g. VTR, TRA, Triumph World mag, :yesnod: etc!
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

:iagree: TOTALLY!!!

And find a lawyer with a car appreciation (jones). :wink:
 
Re: First up-date on my smashed TR6.....

Brosky said:
That body shell on a Ratco frame would be a beauty Frank.

It's pictured here: Roadster factory Tour and Body Shell

It's the (8th) picture down the page. Black with red stripe beauty!!
Click to expand...
That is a beauty, and if mine had been worse, that's the route I would have gone...
 
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