General seicento C20XE Mk2

[Nago]

Hello ladies and gents, think id best start by getting this out the way and introducing myself.

Im Dan, i was the person who bought the modified C20XE seicento and then after getting it 4 miles down the road inadvertently managed to crash it. As you have probably read in the other thread i was stupid enough not to get insurance cover for the trip home. To be fair it was a stupid thing to do. My friend drove me 120miles to see the car and at the price he was letting it go for i was having my doubts it would be worth buying.

Non the less i got there found the car to be a absolute bargain. For the amount of work and money that had gone into it it was a must buy. Cov69 was proper genuine guy and went over all the work he had done and parts the car had. He also went over what needed doing to the car as well, one of these being a knocking hub bearing which i already knew about. My first thought was buy the car before he changes his mind, lol. He also was nice enough to throw in some spares and send on contact info of magazines that were interested in the car on its completion.

It was then the case do i risk it and drive home uninsured knowing it was to late to be calling up to get temp cover. The other option being pay him a deposit and collecting the car another day, this meant another 120 miles home then another whole day id need free with another 240 mile round trip to collect the car when i had insured it. I stupidly picked the easy but dumb option of driving home uninsured. I thought could take it steady home, (with a knocking bearing i didn't want to boot it) and get if off the road then insure it when it was sorted.

Non the less tempting fate and breaking the law 4 miles down the road i was involved in a crash at a junction. No one was hurt, the KA's air bags deployed and despite mine not having any i just got minor whiplash and a pretty badly bruised knee where it took out the fuse box. I wasn't speeding and to be fair on the whole trip only used a max of about 30 of the 200bhp the car had. Thinking now i wish i had booted at some point just to experience how quick the car was before it got wrecked.

The whole experience has been pretty gut wrenching. Not only did i destroy a car which id just literally paid for, it was one someone had spent so much time working on. My actions of risking it also cause someone else's car to be written off which i really don't feel good about. I have a summons for driving without insurance which is a fixed 6 points. Having driven for just over a year this means i'm more than likely to loose my licence and get a big fine. Also with no insurance i had to foot the bill for recovery of the vehicle being a tidy sum of £790. It was idiotic taking a risk and trust me i wont be doing it again.

We all make mistakes and learn from them but to be honest was a bit annoyed with reading this on another thread.

Sounds like someone jumped the lights, but i would like to make a bet that the sei was being caned through a amber traffic light which was about to turn to red

''let them know i was fully aware it was modded''

''I wasnt insured'' etc etc

Sounds like a right nice bloke, in fact they should award him 'UK citizen of the year'

In all honesty he is a c*nt, and the only disappointing thing is he wasnt written off with the car as well, no time for idiots like him despite what appears a geuine sob story/apology, people like this are why insurance is so high for you younger members

I bet that car is never reshelled or repaired, because he will get done over because of no insurance etc etc and wont be able to afford it

I think it shows a lot about a person when they wish death on a total stranger for the sake of the insurance premiums being higher then they would like. Im not an idiot who was speeding or someone who breaks the law all the time. I spent thousands on my previous car getting it road legal and insuring it. This was a limited edition Japanese two seater roadster which i had in bits most of the time tinkering with because most mechanics had never seen one let alone worked on one. That was vandalised by a group of pissheads who thought it would be a laugh to tip a little car on its roof. My insurance company refused to pay out classing it as "malicious vandalism" so don't think i don't appreciate how that KA driver feels. Im a genuine person with an interest in cars not some idiot who goes out dicking about hense why i bought a car which i classed as a project. I made one mistake which i have really learnt from.

Anyway the reason im here. Im hoping not everyone on here is as quick to class me as a c*nt and is willing to give me some advice and be helpful, lol.

The good news is i do have the car back. I paid £790 to get it recovered to where i live where its currently being stored. I do plan on re-shelling it over the summer after i have finished Uni. I see it as most of the hard work has been done and looking at how much a high millage Seicento is it won't take alot of money to do, just time. Hopefully i can use the thread to get your advice with the project when i start it and keep you all updated with the build. Cov69 said he is willing to give advice with the build and pointers on what he would do different. One thing is sure is that his over the top engine bay strengthening limited the damage to me and the car. After seeing one of these fold up like a paper box on a crash test at 40mph i was glad he got a bit welder happy. Also a roll cage will be a sure thing for the MK2.

Here are a few pics of the the car

Welcome to comments and hopefully they are not all negative

 

[FIREsporting]

Dan It's Going To Have To Be In Your Top Ten New Year's Resolutions. ​

Car insurance Don't Leave Home Without It ​

 

[mrcinquecento]

without trying to sound all high and mighty here, you've learnt your lesson the hard way. was it worth almost certainly losing your licsence over the sake of a phone call?

bad to see such a special car being damaged, at least you'll have plenty time with no liscence to get it re-shelled and do the project properly with the car off the road until completion.

You say your at Uni and have only been driving under a year? your insurance premiums would have been mega on such a heavily modified car!, the courts probably won't look kindly on you, they will have their doubts if you would have insured it at all should you have got home with it in one piece. the fact you are a car enthusiast is totally irrelevant, you broke the rules, you were caught out and deserve to be punished. i know it sounds like a cliche, but its because of situations like this we do all pay stupid premiums, especially younger drivers who are most likley to be uninsured.

sorry if it sounds harsh, i have no sympathy for you with this incident. i do however have sympathy for the Sei, the guy who built it and the driver of the other car.

However, good luck with re-creating the car, when mk2 is complete, please remember to insure the bloody thing.

 

[fingers99]

Nice to see the car survived as well as all involved.

Nothing moral to add -- does it really need a reshell?

 

[NosherCento]

Im just bing nosey here, but how did the accident happen?

And you should definately reshell - get a red sporting abarth body

How much of it is salvageable aswell?

 

[arc]

Good to see it wasn't crushed, will watch the project with keen interest and help where I can.

I can't tell from the photos (on phone), what in the bay is damaged?

Was the jap car you mentioned a capucino?

 

[J333EVO]

Fair play for you coming on and saying what you did.

One thing worth noting for anyone reading this is the last few cars I've bought private over last 2 years or so, I have used RAC car data check which is £15, and before anyone says you can get it cheaper, hear me out, as part of that £15 you also get fully comprehensive car insurance for 7 days allowing you to drive the car home and have time to shop around for best quote.

It's a very similar scheme to what many car franchises run when you buy a new or used car from them, you get the 7 days free car cover to allow them to tax the car for you ready for collection, and they give you an annual quote which you have no obligation to take out.

 

[NosherCento]

Good to see it wasn't crushed, will watch the project with keen interest and help where I can.

I can't tell from the photos (on phone), what in the bay is damaged?

Was the jap car you mentioned a capucino?

I was going to say it sounds like a little suzuki cappucino aswell, theyre small japanese 2 seaters and also light as f**k

 

[AppleSei]

I stand by majority of my original comments

Perhaps i was more disappointed that the car had been smashed after 4 miles after a lot of work and for the minute, we arent seeing its true potential, if i had been cov i wouldve been f*cked off to high heaven espeically surrounding the circumstances (no insurance) and being a 'car enthusiast' as well

Its unfortunate incidents like this ruin it for everyone else especially the younger genration, what went through your mind only you will know to think you could get away with it.

Do i regret what i said? some things

Do i sympathise? hell no

Do I respect you for coming on here, joining, being honest and giving a decent account of yourself? Yes

I look forward to reading the rebuild

 

[arseofbox]

As you knew what you were letting yourself in for by driving uninsured, on your head be it. Rather stupid yes, and I think that summons is testament to that really. (I can't comment too much, I've driven with no tax - hence invalid insurance knowingly a number of times). But I admire your honesty.

As for the rebuild, good luck with it - Id be inclined to avoid a reshell unless the inner wing crash structure is compromised, also a roll cage is rather necessary given the amount of chassis flex and additional weight over the front wheels, but its not something that means it should go faster!

 

[Nago]

To answer a few questions.

Im just bing nosey here, but how did the accident happen?

Its hard to explain the junction in question so i found it on google maps to show you. I was following my mate in his car as he had the sat nav and we were both in need of petrol. Came up to this junction in the right hand lane to go right. The lights were green so followed my mate through. There was no markings on the road saying that it was a cross road system where i had to wait for oncoming traffic so assumed that the lights were red stopping the oncoming traffic. Crossing over the road doing 20 mph max, out the corner of my eye i see a flash of silver then bang iv been lifted on two wheels and sliding sideways.

Both cars impacted on the front corners and with her airbags going off and the amount she hit me of coarse i don't even think she saw me and defiantly was doing 30-35mph on impact. The impact shook me up big time. By the time i realised where i was and what was going on i got out the car. Looked over to see the other car and they had all got out and were standing at the other side of the road, driver was in tears and i asked a witness who had come over if they were all ok over there, he said yes and asked if i was ok. After that was a bit of a blur, remember trying to get back to the car looking for my glasses that had flew off in the impact. Having fireman asking me if the car ran on gas cause you all the copper pipe, the police thinking it was fitted with Nitrous.

They took one look at the modded nature of the car and i was put in the back of a police car to give a statement. Was asked if i was ok but not checked over by paramedics unlike the other driver and occupants. By the time id done all the paperwork with the officer i was free to go and the scene was clear and everyone had gone. My mate drove me home and at that point i realised that my knee was in bad shape after later finding out that it had destroyed the fusebox in the impact. Had to go to A&E the next day to get checked over and they said i had minor whiplash and a possible fractured knee. Had that X rayed and turned out it was just really badly bruised and cut up.



I can't tell from the photos (on phone), what in the bay is damaged?

Well from it the thing that took most of the brunt was the bar Cov69 used the strengthen the engine bay. The it was so strong it made the A pillar crease and the whole shell of the car twisted slightly causing the driver side door to be hard to shut. Think because of this it will need a reshell.

The radiator got mashed and i think the impact knocked the engine back hard. The inlet manifold has cracked from hitting the bulkhead. I didn't have long to look over the car when it got dropped off because had to get back to Uni. I checked the driver side dive shaft and that wasn't bent which was good, it had just popped out. Hopefully nothing to major is broken on the engine apart from the manifold. Wont really find out till i get the engine out.



You say your at Uni and have only been driving under a year? your insurance premiums would have been mega on such a heavily modified car!

It would be high but worth paying. My first car was a Suzuki Cappuccino (see pics below). This was a 600cc turbo RWD convertible. I paid through the roof to insure that as you can imagine. I think its worth paying a bit extra to have a car that was a bit different. This is why im proper pissed off i didn't insure the fiat for the short trip home. :bang:



Was the jap car you mentioned a capucino?

Yup it was a Suzuki Cappuccino (dont worry i couldnt spell it even when i had owned it months, lol). Was a great little car, alot of people have a dig because it was like a barbie car but if you had driven one you defiantly wouldn't. It handles better than a mini (50/50 weight distribution), disc's and double wishbone suspension all round. A three way metal hard top that fits in the boot. An engine that does 50mpg if you drive it sensibly and with a few mods which mine had will drag you from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. You really wouldn't believe it was a 600cc three pot with a turbo smaller than a tin of soup, lol. A proper little go kart sports car.

Just a real shame it was rolled over by idiots. Would still love to fix it but with it being so rare parts are a bomb. Got quoted £1500 just for 3 new roof panels. The though did cross my mind to repair the cappo using spares and try and squeeze the redtop in that on a manta gearbox. But fear this will be a nightmare job and much easier to get it in another seicento cause i know it can be done, lol

Anyway here are a few of the cappo.

 

[arc]

Was the jap car you mentioned a capucino?

Yup it was a Suzuki Cappuccino (dont worry i couldnt spell it even when i had owned it months, lol). Was a great little car, alot of people have a dig because it was like a barbie car but if you had driven one you defiantly wouldn't. It handles better than a mini (50/50 weight distribution), disc's and double wishbone suspension all round. A three way metal hard top that fits in the boot. An engine that does 50mpg if you drive it sensibly and with a few mods which mine had will drag you from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. You really wouldn't believe it was a 600cc three pot with a turbo smaller than a tin of soup, lol. A proper little go kart sports car.

I've worked on/with small engines like that on my friends old smart car. Shocking handling due to the poor suspension design on it. Same size, 3 pot engine with a tiny turbo. For it's size, we got quite a lot of power out of it and once we'd unwired, modified and disabled all the silly sensors and systems that spoilt the fun - it was quite quick, suprised a lot

 

[Whiley]

good luck re-shelling mate, most of us have done something like this at some point go see a car want it and take it there and then.. luckily for me have always had access to trade plates! if you use your car for uni/work i doubt you'll get banned, will prob just get 6 points and a hefty fine tbh!

Gaz

 

[fingers99]

If you can afford it, get a decent lawyer. I've heard of people walking out of court with 6 and a big fine, too.

 

[mrcinquecento]

the OP has been driving less than 2 years, so 6pts=ban

 

[sei16v]

Glad to see you managed to get the car back! I thought it would be crushed, which i would have been seriously gutted about.

I would go for a reshel myself. To get that engine in there are some bits we cut, or removed that we didnt need to, and lost comforts such as a decent dash and a nice heater matrix. Plus the rear water system doesnt need to be there.

Damage wise, it doesnt look like you have done too much to it, probs took out the horn, rad for sure, and possibly the gearbox diff, (as its on that side and was about a mill from the chassis).

Worst case for parts, get yourself registered on MIGWEB or PNG (performance nova group), these forums have great classifieds sections. A gearbox say will set you back about £50, and the inlet will be around the £20 mark... Cheap as chips (thats what swayed me on the project).

Also that junction you had a prang on is a nightmare!! Its staggared and nobody around here really knows how to drive there.. ive seen no end of near misses...

 

[sei16v]

OOh just to add, i wont be on here as much as i used to be as ive gone over to the dark side of another car manufacturer.. Il be checking this thread to see how it goes, but if you need any information in the meantime then you have my email address, (can add me on msn).

For the mk2 seicento, get yourself the following...

Cavi internal shifter (the one in the car was welded a few times - approx £10-15)
Nova 1.2 Gear Linkage (this is bound to be mashed - approx £5-15)
F16 Gearbox (will be awesome approx £40-50)
XE Inlet (no matter if its a new or early one, their all the same its just the throttle plate which is different approx £15-25).
New Seicento Radiator (dont go for second hand, the cooling in this is very important approx £35)
XE cool running thermostat (opens at 82 rather than 92 - will need this if your only running the front rad which i would do if i was rebuilding the car Approx £15-20)

By the looks of the engine bay, you may have broke the coil pack, and the loom. The loom i used was an early c20xe loom pre lambda. But there are a lot of wiring diagrams on the internet, and pin-2-pin diagrams which you could use just to repair the loom you have (which i would do)

And a roll cage would be a good idea

 

[Whiley]

the OP has been driving less than 2 years, so 6pts=ban

you can get 6 points when your still on your 2 year period and not get banned. just depends how leniant they want to be with you.

Gaz

 

[carmadrory]

gutted i bet

 

[Renrut]

Sorry to hear about the car, but credit to you for coming on here and talking about it and being prepared to reshell it.

TBH If it was me in court I'd be honest and apologetic rather than pull a fancy lawyer and try an get out on a technicality, as these days almost all the loopholes are closed. They're supposed to be more lenient if you admit guilt early rather than fight it hard then admit it when its already obvious.