Author Topic: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa  (Read 322 times)

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Offline 4129R

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Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« on: Saturday,February 24, 2024, 08:33:06 AM »
Beware, the front of the Europa is so low and sharp (low drag) that my wife has just reversed into my Europa and caused a lot of damage.

Her reverse beep beeps did not pick up the Europa, so beware, others might reverse into you.

Needless to say, I am miffed. I heard a loud bang and just could not believe it could happen.

Offline Pfreen

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #1 on: Saturday,February 24, 2024, 08:43:24 AM »
I had an old guy with giant glasses like my dad used to wear and driving a giant Lexus suv tap my Europa at a traffic light.  I got out and triedto get the guy to lower his side window.  Instead, he started driving forward slowly while my wife was in the car.  Wow, never seen that before.
I think he did not see my Lotus, and he thought I was a homeless guy because it was underneath an expressway bridge.
Luckily, there was just a few paint chips, and no real damage.

Sorry 4129R.  I am sure your wife is horrified as well.

Be careful out there. 

Offline BDA

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #2 on: Saturday,February 24, 2024, 09:00:53 AM »
Bummer! I hope it's not too difficult (or expensive) to repair!

It happened to me, too. Back in the middle '70s, I followed an "old" (surely in her 70s but I don't like to call that "old" anymore!) lady in a larger car (they're all larger!) down a street. A little later, we both found out that the street was closed and before I could backup out of her way, she backed into me. There wasn't much damage and I told her I thought the damage would be $20 or $25. She gave me her phone number and insurance information.

When I got it fixed, the bill ended up being over $60. I called the insurance company with the bill. A couple of days later they called back refusing to pay. I called the old lady and told her how angry and disappointed I was that she lied to me! It didn't help so I was on the hook for $60, which at that time was real money to me!

Offline Kendo

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #3 on: Saturday,February 24, 2024, 02:01:06 PM »
New thought: maybe we need, as part of the “tool” kit, one of those hand held air horns. If someone doesn’t listen, blast away.

Offline BDA

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #4 on: Saturday,February 24, 2024, 02:04:42 PM »
That's in keeping with my rule that if you can't be seen then you MUST be heard but wouldn't air horns or similar be preferable?

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #5 on: Saturday,February 24, 2024, 04:08:39 PM »
I have Hella air trumpets fed by an air compressor from a Citroen DS.  They are INSTANTLY VERY VERY LOUD.  Super important safety equipment, I’d sooner drive without seatbelts than go without my air horns.  Saved my butt many, many times.

Offline 4129R

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #6 on: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 02:28:00 AM »
Bummer! I hope it's not too difficult (or expensive) to repair!

The tail of the exhaust on the Golf punched through the fibreglass below the bumper. I reckon about £1,000 to repair the fibreglass and paint the whole front.

Offline BDA

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #7 on: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 07:43:54 AM »
Really sorry to hear that!

As Pfreen said, I’m sure your wife is devastated about this too.

Offline S2Zetec54

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #8 on: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 07:58:18 AM »
Sorry 4129R that’s bad news…bit of 'friendly fire' there. Hope it is an easy fix but it sounds nasty
« Last Edit: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 08:00:13 AM by S2Zetec54 »

Offline 4129R

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #9 on: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 08:10:02 AM »
When I went out to see the damage this morning, it seems my car was pushed back by 9ft.

I don't think the reverse warning sensors had enough time to "beep beep" before "bang".

Offline Clifton

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #10 on: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 09:30:16 AM »
When I went out to see the damage this morning, it seems my car was pushed back by 9ft.

I don't think the reverse warning sensors had enough time to "beep beep" before "bang".

9ft?  Was she going 25 mph?

Offline 4129R

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #11 on: Sunday,February 25, 2024, 09:58:06 AM »
When I went out to see the damage this morning, it seems my car was pushed back by 9ft.

I don't think the reverse warning sensors had enough time to "beep beep" before "bang".

9ft?  Was she going 25 mph?

I fear that communication has broken down since "The Big Bang".

Offline berni29

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #12 on: Friday,March 01, 2024, 12:46:53 PM »
Hi

That is a horrible thing to have happen.

I was just commenting to a friend today about how high modern cars are and how vulnerable cars like the Europa, and to a slightly lesser extent +2's are. At close range they quite literally fly under the radar.

All the best

Berni

Offline dakazman

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Re: Reverse Warning Signals Beware They Don't Pick Up the Europa
« Reply #13 on: Friday,March 01, 2024, 04:41:04 PM »
  Yikes, now am really siding with my wife and just tow the car around instead of driving it to shows.
  I must have hit to horn button fifty times accidentally and it really was an annoying screeching noise.  I have a train air horn on my el Camino that I may need to change over.
  Dakazman