TRX wrote:
Yet another example of how *tough* the basic 7 design is. A few weekends' work, and could be back on the road. (and graphic proof the builder did a good job, of course!)
You are spot on. The builder did a great job.
Unfortunately, the frame is fairly hurt - as is expected when a 1240 pound car hits a 600+ pound animal. I had some time this weekend to really look at the damage. Basically everything forward of the engine is either bent or destroyed. Absolutely nothing is straight if it had anything to do with the front suspension. The passenger side upper frame tube has moved about 1/2" and the driver's side is visibly buckled. The driver's side front suspension mounts tore from the frame. Several gussets and mounting plates cracked either at the weld or on the surrounding metal. The whole driver's front corner suspension was destroyed. All of the rod ends, shock, end link, fender mount, wheel, sway bar, and tie rods are bent or broken on that corner.
The car will likely need to be cut at the engine mounts or dash and fabricated from scratch at that point forward. All of the fiberglass bits are repairable. The driver front fender is badly broken so it won't be worth repairing unless it's not replaceable. Willie did a pretty solid job of documenting his build and I'm hoping to use this thread for guidance.
The hood was punctured by the broken wheel after the suspension yielded. I was going about 55 miles per hour when the impact happened. From the point of impact to the skid plate touch down was measured at 39 feet. The exhaust system has a large hole at the header. I need to examine the harness and seat mounting brackets for signs of deformation.
The insurance company is working on their estimate currently and I will be very interested to see how they handle it. I plan to fix the car in some way, shape, or form.
One thing is for sure: If the car drives again, it will have some unbelievable driving lights for the deserted back roads.