Advice sought after nudge

[dhamilton]

First, located west coast of Scotland, second, reversed my Volvo against my Caterham in the driveway - Volvo rear to Caterham nose. 

Yes, nose cone needs replacing, but how can I be sure whether there is any mis-alignment to the chassis?  I cannot find anyone locally who will give an answer.  I bought the 7 already built.

Recommendations please?

[Wrightpayne]

Perhaps post some pics with and without the nosecone and bonnet on and we'll give you an opinion. Perhaps omit the reg plate! 
 

If you click on the icon in the tool bar that is a black rectangle with an arrow above it will allow you to pick photos from your device.

I think the nose cone can incure a lot of damage before the chassis affected - if its carpark type nudge then probably ok. If its hit a wheel then probably warrants a closer inspection. Do the wheels look like they are parallel to each other?

Regards

Ian

[David Brown]

Are you David Hamilton that was at school with me? Drop me a private mail and we could discuss how to check the alignment. 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

If the bonnet fits to the nosecone as before and there is no damage to the leading edge of it, you will likely only have damaged the nosecone itself. I would check that nothing has been trapped or chaffed under the nosecone, though.

The 2013 Grizzly Bear Blat demonstrated the amount of abuse the front of a Caterham can take with minimal chassis damage, when the Florida chap hit a black bear and propelled it over the top of his Caterham. A bend in the front top tube, but a destroyed nose cone and very bent bonnet when the nosecone was shoved in to it:

[ScottR400D]

How was the bear, James? 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

The bear seemed mad but no noticeable injury when it ran off after running in front of the Caterham and being hit. Thick enough skin that there wasn't any blood. I was about a minute behind so didn't see the impact, but the Park Rangers were watching it and declared it fine, as they had just happened by at the same time. It was about a 200kg young adult male from what I could see.

[dhamilton]

Thanks, and quite a story with the bear.  My experience only stretches to deer and my day to day car. 

Fortunately found a local Seven owner I already know who will I believe will help sort me out.  Thanks again.

[Scotland North AR]

Hi, note of caution on replacement nosecones, I had a right old battle with Caterham regarding the supply of a nose cone for a 2009 SV after a Spanish woman reversed into the car. Her insurance paid for a new nosecone, I got one off Caterham specifying the model and year....the nose cone was miles out, turned out it fitted a friends CSR perfectly, tried it on another local's car...no chance. Width, height, bonnet profile all wrong. Caterham wouldn't have it that the nosecone was wrong. Ended up taking the old nose to a fibreglass specialist who did a great job repairing it and amazingly a paint shop was next door to him so got it repainted there.