Do I break it?

[minor_hickup]

I agree that deer are a menace, mainly beccause their numbers are so high at the moment, especially in this area. I agree that we need to have and keep our lovely wildlife but unfortunately deer and cars don't mix and this sort of things will happen.

As for the car the repairs are far beyond my capabilities and I've already had a claim on my insurance and don't think I can afford another, the car would be written off (i'm sure of that). However on Tuesday I'm going to travel Europe for a month, when I get back I will be sorting out what to do with the car.

I don't knkow whether a keen enthusiast would want to buy the wreck or even just the shell to restore or use for repair section and parts. I would probably be willing to sell the car as it is when I get back if I would be able to get a little bit of money for it as I will need to get a new (old) car.

When I get back I will post photos and if anyone is interested can contact me then. I will be back about the 5th or 6th of June.

[Matt]

EEK! Sorry to hear about that, but glad you and the deer are ok!

I can come and have a looksy shortly after that... I could probably bring a friend that used to work in a bodyshop too! Have you got any pics? :s

[jamesmorrisminorfan]

Please don't break the car. I bought my little moggy as a MOT failure (severe), and spent a small fortune to get her back on the road. Almost everyone said I should leave it and just buy a 'normal' car, but I love this Moggy. If she was damaged in an accident, I'd sell a kidney to get her repaired!

-how much do you think it's going to cost?

[minor_hickup]

Just got back yesterday. While I was away a friend of the family brought a good friend of his who owns a large bodyshop/collision centre. The jist being it isn't worth repairing.

Luckily I have access to a charming eurobox and will keep an eye out for another moggy as a second car. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the shell. Would anyone be interested in bits of shell as a sort of 'genuine' repair panel?

[alex_holden]

Is the frame distorted? If not it might still be worth repairing to an enthusiast who isn't paying himself professional body shop rates.

[moggyminor16]

very true if you set your mind to it it can be done

[rayofleamington]

normally the bumper iron can be put back close to where it was using a very big hammer. If not, then a few nips and tucks with an angle grinder and a Mig will have that sorted.
A dented bumber, wings and bonnet does not make a scrap car! There's a multicoloured saloon driving around the north Midlands that had previously lost an arguement with a landrover 10 years ago - the side of it is very mashed but most bodywork is only cosmetic.

If the shell is straight then the car can be used without body repairs (although sharp / jagged bodywork isn't allowed).

The leak at the rear cyclinder may have been caused by going through the hedge, or may be due to not enough clips on the rear axle brake pipes. [They can fracture within months if they are allowed to wobble around - I've sometimes overlooked that but I got my comupance when I borrowed a Minir and the 6 month old rear brake pipe sheared completely!]

[minor_hickup]

Damage seems to be 3 wings, front bumper, completely mangled inner wing and piece on the bottom of the engine bay. The front grille panel is damaged and this extends to the crossmember at the front where it mounts. I'm not sure if this extends to the front of the chassis legs (will investigate when stiff neck clears up).

Also worryingly the roof seems to be creased where its gone onto its side and theres sill damage on the offside that seems to extend beyond sill finisher. It seems to buckle out slightly at the rear (after the finisher ends), but I'm not sure if this just down to the rust bubbling through. I'll try and get access to a digi camera to show what I mean.