Heartbroken to have a flat floor - advice welcome

[chrisvine]

The finishing line for my restoration was so close, with just the hood outstanding, and now I'm a not-so-proud owner of a flat floor .... well flattened to be more precise.

The reconditioned engine wasn't running very well so I took it to a local independent Jaguar specialist who found that the valve clearance shims were way out. They had a number of old Jaguars and E-Types in their care which was reassuring.

I picked the car up and it was running really smoothly so I was quite pleased. However I've only just noticed that the sunken sections of both footwells have been pushed in - I believe from incorrectly using the floors to jack the car up.

Fortunately I took a photo of the car in the garage at the time which might prove they were at fault (I'll be speaking with them tomorrow to see if they will admit liability):



Really gutted. This is the damage to the floor sections:





It's fairly clear that the damage wasn't due to an impact as there's no paint damage and so it must have been caused by a compression from beneath.

Hopefully they will admit liability and the repair will be covered by their insurance - if they do, would it be advisable to also inform my own insurance company?

For the repair I think it would need new floor sections and to be repaired by a specialist my choice, ie Hutsons who did the bodyshell. Does that sound reasonable?

Chris

[mgcjag]

Hi Chris...bad news....yes you should inform your insurance...even if the garage admit liability you need to be in control of the repair....your insurance can be used to claim from then they can reclaim the damages......Tony had a similar problem not to long ago will find the post and add it....good luck Steve

[Simon P]

Uggg... Gutted for you. I'm sure it can be put right - but after all the care you've taken to get the car to this point... It's the sort of thing we all fear if the car ends up in a garage where they don't know their E-types, but a Jaguar specialist really ought to have known better.

Good luck with getting it sorted!

[1954Etype]

We regularly have to deal with this problem and prefer to repair rather than replace whenever possible. Certainly looks like lift damage.

[288gto]

Such a shame Chris. I remember seeing your car up at Hutsons and being very impressed with the work they had done.

We regularly have to deal with this problem and prefer to repair rather than replace whenever possible. Certainly looks like lift damage.

Having replaced both the floors in mine, I would be inclined to agree. You would be pleasantly surprised what a decent panel beater would be able to do with those. The outer edge of the footwell panel is welded to the sill, so cutting them out and replacing them would be a last resort. As you say, the important thing is if it does go through the garage's insurance, you have some control over who it is.

All the best with getting it sorted.

Simon

[chrisvine]

Thanks for comments. I'll make sure it's all organised via my insurance company. I'll drop Andy at Hutsons a call to see if they are able to fit it or look for someone nearer home.

[cactusman]

Unbelievable muppetry. Get your insurance on to it and best not to darken their doors in future. They seem to know the square root of zero about jacking e types!!! Hope you get it all repaired to the same standard as the rest of your lovely car. J

[adam]

Heartbreaking to see the damage they caused to your freshly restored car.I hope you get it sorted as soon as possible.

Adam

[abowie]

FWIW Chris I suspect that that will knock out just fine, and with a bit of paint you will never know.

[ralphr1780]

Ouch, this is really sad Chris.
Hope you get the repair work properly and timely done, so that you can enjoy fully driving your beautiful car.