EK ute smash repair bits

[Harv]

Sadly, Grace has had her first vehicle accident. Not her fault (other driver pulled in front of her without looking). Thankfully she has walked away from it with some bruising, and a wrist that will take some healing. I owe the guys at Hemco a beer for the seatbelts that saved her.

Vehicle is under assessment for repair, so I will limit the info posted until it is back in my hands again out of respect for the insurance process. Thankfully, no damage south of the firewall, so recoverable one way or another. I've had a hunt through the spares department, and can find most of what the repairer needs (I always figured I'd be the one smacking up an FB/EK). I don't have the bits listed below. Some may be recoverable (repairer is checking), but if anyone has them to hand and are willing to sell them to me it would be appreciated:

1. EK passenger and drivers side front chrome indicator assembly. Suspect I only need passenger, but will confirm.
2. EK bonnet front chrome mould (the bit that holds the red emblem). Suspect this is recoverable too, but will confirm. Can Rare Spares the emblem. Kinda grateful that I am not looking for an FB one.
3. EK ute front guard stainless moulds (passenger and drivers). Suspect drivers is OK. From memory, there is a bloke who can work miracles on bent trim... if anyone has his number, please pass it along.
4. Front subframe, passengers side, from the crossmember upwards. Don't think I need the legs or the drivers side, but will confirm how much of a cut I need. This bit will be tough.

Cheers,
Harv

[EK283]

Yeah that's always a sad story to hear and the danger of these old cars being damaged beyond repair. Good to hear shes ok (daughter that is).

The stainless repair guy I thought was at Riverstone somewhere, I may have a couple of those bits tucked away. Will have a good hard look and let you know.

Greg

[FJWALLY]

Welcome to my first attempt at chrome bonnet bar Harv - it's a bit wavy but otherwise good - looking to have a couple Indicator housings re-chromed now I ve found a half decent chrome so your welcome to those to once I get the others back - with all the closures not sure when that will be though.

[Blacky]

Let me know if you cant find a subframe donor piece Harv, I may be able to help there mate but obviously freight will be a problem.

[Errol62]

Sorry to hear Harv. That is what we all dread, fathers and old car enthusiasts alike. Glad the girl is okay.

I got rid of a lot of bits I should have kept and can’t help you I’m afraid.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[gpi]

hopefully both mend quickly
mint subframe on scumtree
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/west-ba ... 63436_9299

[EK283]

Iv'e got a bitsa front if you get desperate.

IMG_0939.JPG (280.46 KiB) Viewed 614 times

Greg

[ardiesse]

Harv,

I've got a front indicator housing, but can't remember which side it is. It will need rechroming. And I've got a bonnet bar (better check). Do you need a grille? I know I have one of those. And painted headlight surrounds.

Rob

[rosco]

Bugga, Harv - daughter ok, that's really all that matters.... parts will come up... and the repair will get done, I don't believe the insurer will write off for what sounds like a short shunt of the front...

I spoke at length with a guest rep from Shannons at a club meeting many years back.... the big subject of write off came up.
At that time, Shannons would repair a vehicle which had up to 70% of the agreed value in repairs... beyond that, they were likely to write the vehicle off... and allow the insured to claim salvage rights...

Since that time, I have urged people to update the agreed value of the vehicle every year... and get as much as possible agreed upon - for this very reason - the higher the value, the more damage can be sustained and keep below this 70% write-off bottom line...

I don't mean to steal your thread - but mention this in the hope that your suffering might open the eyes and ears of those who are not aware of this write-off percentage.

Of course, different insurers may have differing percentages.. it might be timely to check.

I don't have any spare parts that you seek - but believe you'll get all those necessary.
There will more than likely be some argey-bargey with your insurer.. never know, you might even get a new Rares bonnet badge out of this...
I don't believe Rares carry any of the other parts.. but, they might have connections... may be worth a shot.

Glad your daughter is ok - idiots, they come out of nowhere..... no matter how careful you try to be to avoid one doing this - you can only hope your senses kick in to avoid them... modern cars make bad drivers believe they are good - put them into a manual car without power steering and let's just see how flash they are about pulling out into traffic... the "go" pedal is just too easy and responsive for the idiots who press on them...

end of rant.

frats,
Rosco

[Harv]

Thanks guys - appreciated.

I'm going to assume:
1. EK passenger and drivers side front chrome indicator assembly - will use FJWally's once his are returned from the chromers. Might borrow Robs to get me out of trouble in the meantime.
2. EK bonnet front chrome mould (the bit that holds the red emblem) - will use FJWally's once his are returned from the chromers. Might borrow Robs to get me out of trouble in the meantime.
4. Front subframe, passengers side, from the crossmember upwards. Greg's bitsa cut looks pretty close to what I think I need. I'll confirm with the repairer.

Some things I learnt in my youth, when I mistakenly thought I was either a Demolition Derby driver or test-dummy:
a) when you've smacked a car up, you get to choose where it gets towed to. Tow it home, and put it under a cover. If it gets towed to the towies or insurers impound yard, it will sit out in the weather. Not so cool if any glass is missing in the car... weather and sticky fingers. My insurer was more than a little startled to find Grace's busted ute at my house, though later acknowledged that it was my choice.
b) it is your choice when the vehicle gets moved from A to B for assessment and repair. Handy for me, as I am rarely home. The tow company then fitted in with me to make sure I was home for the pickup. I now know the car was loaded onto the tilt tray appropriately, and that nothing was missing or loose before it went. I also got a good opportunity to strip out the contents of the glovebox so that it does not go missing during the repair.
c) choose an insurer that offers a choice of repairer. The insurance company will use a normal smash repair facility, based on the cheapest tenderers. Those companies make their money by repairing lots of modern vehicles, where parts are available readily. They do not have time to go hunting for FB bonnet bars. Many smash repair places no longer employ a full-time panelbeater, and subcontract the work as needs be. They will make little money repairing your early Holden, and it will sit around taking up valuable space in their yard for weeks. When they quote for the repair, they will quote high so that they do not lose money... increasing your risk of having the vehicle written off. If you choose your own repairer, you can select one that can take their time, and who are willing to source parts via you. You then also have some say on parts quality (e.g. I do not need show-quality chrome on my cars, but equally do not need pimply stuff). My insurer was also a little startled when I nominated my own repairer (same blokes who painted the ute).
d) choose a repairer that gives you salvage rights on a written-off vehicle. From what I understand of current laws, if a car is a statutory write-off (i.e. too costly for insurer to repair) then you can no longer register the vehicle, ever, under that chassis number. If you have salvage rights, you can then reclaim the wreck, and use the recoverable bits to repair another chassis. If you do not have salvage rights, the insurer may dispose of the wreck as they see fit.

Cheers,
Harv

[Errol62]

Good advice.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Blacky]

I am led to believe the statuatory write off thing only applies to vehicles less than 25 years old ???

[rosco]

Exactly to all you post, Harv.... there is big money out there in smash repairs - the "quick" turnover is the most profitable.... and our old buses are most definitely not "quick" to repair.

Blacky, I don't know about the statutory number here in Vic... I should do some research and find out.

Repair job won't be quick, Harv - but it will be permanent... please keep this thread alive with updates, we can all learn from this.

frats,
Rosco

[Harv]

I am led to believe the statuatory write off thing only applies to vehicles less than 25 years old ???

NSW rules:

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/regist ... ghtvehicle?

Written-off light vehicles
If your light vehicle (car, motorcycle, trailer or caravan) has been so badly damaged that it’s not safe or economical to repair, it will be written off and the registration cancelled. Written-off light vehicles cannot be re-registered, except in limited circumstances.

What is a written-off light vehicle?
A light vehicle is written off if it has been so badly damaged that it’s not safe or economical to repair. An insurer, self-insurer or auto dismantler uses a formula set out in the Road Transport Act 2013 to determine whether a light vehicle will be written off. Written-off light vehicles cannot be re-registered in NSW, except in limited circumstances, and can only be used for parts or scrap metal. These laws apply to all light vehicles (less than 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass), including cars, trailers, caravans and motorcycles, up to 15 years old. The NSW written-off vehicle laws aim to make vehicles safer and protect road users. They also aim to reduce vehicle theft, car re-birthing and related crime in NSW.

... and from the Act:
89 Light vehicles that are a total loss(cf VR Act, s 16H)
(1) For the purposes of this Part, a light vehicle is a total loss if it has been damaged, dismantled or demolished to the extent that its salvage value as a written-off light vehicle plus the cost of repairing the vehicle for use on a road would be more than—
(a) the market value of the vehicle immediately before the damage, dismantling or demolition, or
(b) if the vehicle is insured for a specified amount (known as the sum insured), that specified amount.
(2) The statutory rules may—
(a) prescribe other cases as cases in which a light vehicle is a total loss for the purposes of this Part, and
(b) prescribe exceptions to this section.
(3) In this section—
market value of a light vehicle means the price that the vehicle would bring at open market, as determined (having regard to local market prices and the age and condition of the vehicle) by the person who assesses whether or not the vehicle is a total loss.
salvage value of a light vehicle means the value of the vehicle if sold for scrap or parts, or in a damaged state, as determined by the person who assesses whether or not the vehicle is a total loss.


Cheers,
Harv

[rosco]

Thnaks Harv,
have to check what the Vic time frame is.... doubt that it would be 59 years, as in my case....

frats,
Rosco