The journey of one man and his Mule(s)

[alanmr2turbo]

before buying any body panels remove the bumpers and wing and investigate the damage behind them and strut housing front and rear.

If all is ok on the front it's really only the rear quart panel that going to be a pain to do

[stephano]

the rear quater would be my only worry the rest doesn't seem so bad
just spare bits and paint.
as for the rear tracking arm there week as fuuu anyway ive snapped 2 just un-doing them.

[Magic Beans]

before buying any body panels remove the bumpers and wing and investigate the damage behind them and strut housing front and rear.

If all is ok on the front it's really only the rear quart panel that going to be a pain to do

The only damage I've seen in that area is a bent tracking arm and a load of surface dents on the panel. Anything specific I should check?

[riot68]

Bit of filler, job's done

Looks a lot but I don't think it's that bad considering, again any help let me know and glad you are good with the bumper, seriously need to get mine done!...

[alanmr2turbo]

before buying any body panels remove the bumpers and wing and investigate the damage behind them and strut housing front and rear.

If all is ok on the front it's really only the rear quart panel that going to be a pain to do

The only damage I've seen in that area is a bent tracking arm and a load of surface dents on the panel. Anything specific I should check?

Just have a look where the arm fits to chassis and see if there's any thing wrong with it. The rear is pretty strong but the areas i would be worried on is the front and just the rear quarter panel.

The amount of time it would take to get that rear quarter looking good and sprayed up you would actually save time and money in finding another shell/donar car.

Took me 3 1/2 days to strip my old tubby (not just engine) the donar car and then rebuild the donar car. That was with a ramp though so i would say a week with engine houst and jacks etc

That's the way i would go

[Moo]

The lights etc would be great though please

They are yours if and when you need them. I've only got the lenses, no shroud or cover but you should be able to pick those up easily enough

Shame Ash's wheels don't fit but yours are definitely repairable and will be cheaper than buying new replacements for sure. Give the guys in that link a call and see what they say.

It's a bit of a trek from where you are to mine but if you've got access to a trailer and don't know anyone in the bodyshop trade I've got a mate who runs a bodyshop who might be able to help out if needed

As already said though, might be worth considering a re-shell. After you've properly assesed the damage I can always have a chat to my mate and see how much he thinks it would cost to get the bodywork sorted. Might help you make a decision on which way to go.

[ashley]

Sorry mate- different sizes

Unless I can source two more the same?

Are yours 17s?

Mine are:

Fronts: 16 * 7 ET33
Rears: 17 * 9 ET40

I've actually got 4 spare, but two were damaged in the crash (one badly) but I've never gotten round to seeing if they are repairable.

Sorry- doesn't really help you mate


You need to take a day or two to decide what you wanna do- let the adrenalin drop...then get a professional to take a look at the shell and see if it's twisted, if it's bent then reshell is probably the best option.

You'll get there buddy- and this gives you an excuse to make sure the bodywork ends up pristine

[Magic Beans]

Hmmm, what to do for the best

To essentially do a decant into another car for me isn't something I'd choose to do. The reason I kept this car and didn't buy Rob B's black road terror is because The Mule meant a lot to me. If a cut and shut job was the best option I'd rather walk away altogether and buy something else.

I need to put some thought into all of this over the next few days.

[craig]

Hmmm, what to do for the best

To essentially do a decant into another car for me isn't something I'd choose to do. The reason I kept this car and didn't buy Rob B's black road terror is because The Mule meant a lot to me. If a cut and shut job was the best option I'd rather walk away altogether and buy something else.

I need to put some thought into all of this over the next few days.

It's that rear arch mate, it really is badly bent in, and I would imagine, difficult to re-shape. Plus, would you really want it full of bog?

I can totally appreciate you wanting to put it right dude, I really can. But moving on to something else? If it was me, and knowing how much you've spent, just on the engine/cc & mapping alone, I'd be seriously considering a re-shell.

My 2p mate, I'm sure you'll make the right choice. Chin up!

[Jasonb123]

Mate I'm gutted for you!!! :0(

I'm with red though buy a nice n/a rev 5 shell for peanuts in a nice colour couple of days at peters and your away again :0).

[riot68]

Mate I'm gutted for you!!! :0(

I'm with red though buy a nice n/a rev 5 shell for peanuts in a nice colour couple of days at peters and your away again :0).

Sounds like it might be the way to go...

[Magic Beans]

Current plan of action:

1. Replace the damaged suspension part(s), thanks Rob
2. Check the car's safe to drive. The front wing might need "encouraging" back into shape.
3. Drive to bodywork specialist. Might need some wheels first, depending what I do with the TE37s.
4. Get a proper assessment of the structure and go from there.

The rear end looks worse on the photos than it does in real life. For sure there's a dent but to me it does appear to be skin deep. I hope that's the case..

[Rob B]

Anytime mate.

Its just part of the adventure

I wont ask for out in return......

I told you i'd bought a house? Your decking skills may come in handy

[Magic Beans]

Anytime mate.

Its just part of the adventure

I wont ask for out in return......

I told you i'd bought a house? Your decking skills may come in handy

I'm sure we can work something out. Fancy a bit of this action do you

[riot68]

...

[Rob B]

New build thread 'The Decking'

[Magic Beans]

New build thread 'The Decking'

Haha. Funny you should say that, as I have loads of build photos for it and all the other house build projects at home These ones are just the ones I could pull off my phone.

[Chris]

Sad pics bud...

Looking at the rear quarter though, unless you cut one off another car or replace it, it's will never look right again. Way too far in. Plus, that is alot of suspension damage. Might look superficial, odd arm here and there, but still very bad.

I know the Mule is your baby, but a transplant is the only way to go.

[Magic Beans]

Sad pics bud...

Looking at the rear quarter though, unless you cut one off another car or replace it, it's will never look right again. Way too far in. Plus, that is alot of suspension damage. Might look superficial, odd arm here and there, but still very bad.

I know the Mule is your baby, but a transplant is the only way to go.

Looking at the suspension aspects it only appears to be the tracking arm which has bent. I'll know for sure when it's replaced and tested. Then it's off to be assessed properly.

Considering a wide arch kit, as it was always on the "To do" list, just not right now

When I have a true picture of where it's at, what needs doing and the costs, I'll be able to make a more educated decision on where to go from here. At the moment it's all a bit up in the air, so everything's guesswork.

[KarlBristol]

Hi mate, well this I was not expecting!!

It's a crying shame that this has happened mate, and I know how you must feel! The car was looking so go as well

Personally I know the inclination is to repair it but it will never feel the same again. I know that your a perfectionist and tbh you'd pour a lot of money into fixing it to probably be a bit disappointed... Plus that rear quarter will take a lot of work.

There is a bodywork and classic car specialist in Bristol who is the only person I use to work on my car. Reasonably priced and does an amazing job (he also works for main dealers and insurance companies). I've seen him fix worse than this, and it does look like new. More than willing to pm you the details if you want mate

Not tempted to buy another and take the Gucci bits from this one and transplant them? Its no different to buying a car and modding it slowly ... Except you've got all the bits to hand! Lol. I'd say that this would be the way forward personally - but I know how attached we get to our cars

Best of luck either way bud
If I can help with anything then just drop me a pm