A Special Car Deserves Specialist Treatment

Accidents happen. That’s why we have car insurance. So when the worse occurs, it’s time to get expert help.

Words by Red Marlin – Pictures by The Figaro Shop

Not only do specialist repairers have the skills built up over years honing their techniques to a particular model or marque but they also have access to hard to get parts, whether that’s because they have actually manufactured the parts themselves or know where to go to get them quickly and at the best price.

Such parts and equipment as trims, clips, lamp panels and mechanical jigs that were needed to pull the chassis back into shape when this accident damaged Figaro arrived at The Figaro Shop in Didcot, Oxfordshire, after it had been referred by ClassicLine Insurance as the initial local repairer was struggling to repair the car to its pre-accident condition as they were experiencing difficulties in obtaining parts.

Toby Brooks, who founded The Figaro Shop some 12 years’ ago and which now employs 20 staff, explained: “All too often owners of niche cars like the Figaro don’t realise that in many cases they can specify which repairer their vehicle can be sent to, which happened in this case.

Specialist repairers often have access to parts and techniques that the main networks don’t have, which just as importantly means that the work can be carried out quickly, ensuring the vehicle is back on the road as soon as possible. And while each repair job is different, each is equally rewarding. It is a simple love of car restoration that makes our work so enjoyable, seeing the transformation of an accident damaged model back through to its former glory.

The appreciation we get from our customers is often overwhelming!”

Ian Fray, managing director at ClassicLine Insurance, said: “Figaro drivers are among the most passionate of car owners, so we do everything possible to make sure the vehicle is sent to a specialist Figaro repairer that understands the complexities of repairing the vehicle”

“Not everyone knows they can do this but when making an insurance claim we would encourage Figaro owners to specify which repairer they would like the vehicle to be sent to, as this will also help avoid any repair delays.

The Figaro Owners Club has a comprehensive list of specialist Figaro repairers on their website, so we would like to encourage all Figaro owners to talk to a number of these specialists when they need to get their Figaro repaired following a claim.”

Thanks to Toby for all of his input with this article and for more information about The Figaro Shop, visit www.thenissanfigaroshop.co.uk, while for ClassicLine Insurance, visit www.classiclineinsurance.co.uk

Ends – March 2018