Tip Top just passed away, totaled on I-805, no injuries (nt)

[TonyHavana]

On a side note, you got some great photographic coverage of the aftermath.

They would look great on any BMW website in the world, this being one of them.

Maybe you could make some money off them, and an accompanying story to fund your car's resurrection. Glad no one was hurt.

[LJtii]

I can only add - good luck from another San Diego Malaga owner who shares your loss (car) but also your happiness (baby).

[Pigpen]

Hi William,

Really sorry to hear about your car. My Malaga tii is currently getting an engine overhall, so I can relate to your missing the car. Let me know if you want to borrow my flat bed trailer, I will give you a hand dragging Tip Top home.

Mark

[shipm_8]

Hi William,

Really sorry to hear about your car. My Malaga tii is currently getting an engine overhall, so I can relate to your missing the car. Let me know if you want to borrow my flat bed trailer, I will give you a hand dragging Tip Top home.

Mark

Thank you, Mark. You are very generous. Will drop you an email, and we can chat.

William

[johnnysquare]

Tip-Top was about quality, adventure, and generosity. The car might be a loss, but those attributes are intact and will certainly find their way into the next build.

As a recent first-time parent, I can attest that there are glorious times ahead for your family.

All the best,

jb

[73tiijeff]

So very sorry for your accident! A truly fine car your '72 is! I have enjoyed reading your posts and admiring your car. I see a badly damaged 2002, but with a donor, and a desire to restore, it can live on.

Congratulations on your future child and very best regards!

Jeff in Yakima

[layers]

Very sad; TipTop gave me an appreciation for Maderia 2002 (next best to Malaga...). But first of all, you said you were OK; that's great! As you and others know, I proved our car's ability to take good care of us, even if we go topsy-turvy.

I'll reply privately to your other questions; but overall you need to realize that a 2002 can be rebuilt, even after a wild accident. The problem is usually that it costs more than the true market value of the car to do that. A good bodyshop can explain the details, and let you decide how to proceed.

Appraisers and Adjusters for 2002 100507.doc

Insurance Timeline for Major Claim 100508.doc

[RoccoGilroy]

My bottom lip is dragging on the ground:( This fucking sucks ass! Devastating... Hope you got a tarp over it to save the interior while its at the yard!!! It was raining pretty hard out today here too and I was screwing around and took a turn to fast. Wound up doing a 180. No damage but this is definitely a reality check... Bottom line glad everyone was ok. Absolutely crushing. No pun intended:(

[FunElan]

Glad you were alright, but this makes me so sad!!! If you ever start missing your 02 you're welcome to have a go in mine.

[pkbinplano]

wow ! Glad your OK

[c.d.iesel]

Glad your alright and lived to tell the tale.

a bit of worry though:

(this is an opinion message discussion board)

were you on your cell phone at the time?

not totally focused on the surrounding traffic conditions?

condition/adjustment/modifacations to your brakes?

tires? how old? tread?brand?

from your description of the accident - my radar

suggests any of the above causes - which could

have been avoided. SORRY for the lecture but

me thinks your driving was not 'focused'.

If other people rely on your survival - then

an adjustment is needed.

Glad your alright.

p.s. I'm also upset that your windshield isn't where it belongs.

Securly mounted to the body opening. Suggests poor installation,

incorrect rubber, trim strip???............... just a lesson

for the rest of the class to think about

[Otis]

Let's peer into the future ...

"And then, as if by some miracle, Carl Nelson came running over the hill from La Jolla ... and as if by magic, with a snap of Carl's magic fingers, Tip Top was back on the road ..."

I have an extra hood bar, and Otis' old radiator ... and some other stuff, I'm sure. Hey, it's a start.

[02fanatic]

Well, Tip Top isn't dead "yet"! You would be amazed what a good body shop can do with a wreck like that! It's so easy to pull things back into spec you just wouldn't believe it.

I went through a resoration of Hugo and the front looked every bit as bad as Tip Top's.....saving a '72tii is "worth the effort"! So it takes awhile...if your heart is in it, it "CAN" be done and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Glad you are ok....I know the feeling. Many of us have been through similar grief!

Good Luck,

John

[Andy74tii]

William, so glad no one was injured, but sorry to hear about this! I have greatly enjoyed your posts and also your emails to me relating your enthusiastic knowledge about all things tii. I am sure you and your beloved Tip Top will recover. Great news about the baby, in any event!

[Gordon]

Glad you are OK, that's what counts. It's time to make lemonade out of lemons. Buy your car back from the insurance company. Contact Bill Holmes or Carl Nelson in the SD area and see if they have a good 02 shell you can transfer your parts into. Been there, done that, it sucks but time to move on.

G-Man