I am so sorry. I owned a Tiger several years ago and sold it <sigh> just
before the prices started going up a few years ago. I still enjoy shadowing
the list while I complete the restoration on my '68 Datsun 2000 roadster
(you guys are all car guys....I'm sure some of you know about the 2ltr
Datsun. Same objective as the Tiger: Speed! Different strategy: light,
high compression 2 liter engine with dual Solex carbs, 5 speeds).
Anyway, Paul, I hope you don't mind if I offer a condolence with a different
perspective. I know there doesn't seem to be a silver lining to this dark
cloud, but from your post, I inferred your Tiger was uninsured. So,
although you lost a beautiful car, if the car was without liability coverage
as well as comprehensive/collision coverages, hitting another car and/or
injuring someone would have been truly catastrophic rather than a mere
setback.
As an "insurance guy" I see people every day whose lives are ruined after an
uninsured/underinsured loss. Even before the involvement of an ambulance
chasing lawyer, in the blink of an eye, an accident can leave you
responsible to someone else for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I know insurance is a pain and quite expensive - but it's expensive because
the folks who have insurance call on the coverages so frequently to shield
them from their unfortunate accidents.
My professional advice? Liability limits of 100/300 with a reputable
carrier and a personal liability policy with a $1million limit. The cost is
not that much more than a bare bones liability policy.
Paul, again, sorry for your loss. In the scheme of things, you guys were
lucky, but I know it doesn't feel like that at the moment.
----Original Message-----
From: owner-tigers@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-tigers@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Paul R. Breuhan
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 10:26 PM
To: tigers@autox.team.net
Cc: alpines@autox.team.net
Subject: Tiger Tragedy Tonight...
Listers,
Let my blunders serve as a warning to you, make sure you have a fire
extinguisher and good insurance.
Tonight my Tiger burned. Fortunately myself and my young son escaped harm
but my car did not.
Coming home from a pleasant evening drive, I believe, a valve cover gasket
could not hold the load causing oil to spill on the header which was wrapped
with Thermo-Tec Header Wrap and somehow it ignited. We pulled over after an
incredible amount of smoke poured out all around the car. After pulling my
son out I opened the hood to see the driver side engine compartment engulfed
in flames. Four or 5 minutes later the passenger compartment caught on fire.
The fire department took a leisurely 15-20 minutes to arrived douse the
flames.
Even in the dark I could see everything non-metal in the interior is
gone...all the glass...wiring...gauges...seats...carpet...dash board...even
the aluminum steering wheel melted away...it's bad...real bad....I don't
know if I want to even look.
It will be a total loss to me since I still have 1/2 filled out insurance
forms for Hagerty Insurance still sitting on my dresser, I never got full
coverage on the car (this stuff happens to other people not me? right?
that's what I told myself) and I am not in financial shape to rebuild. More
than likely the reminants will be parted out since it will be the only way
to recoup any money from my investment.
So tomorrow I will go with heavy heart to the yard where the car now sits
and see in daylight the extent of my misery...it took me 22 years to get a
Tiger and 18 months later it's now all gone...
So fill out that damn insurance paperwork tonight and mail it in...carry a
fire extinguisher at all times...and if I never see a wrapped header again I
will be a happy man.
Paul
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