It finally happened, I had an encounter with a Deer!

[R. Button]

On the interstate doing about 65 mph I saw the deer run onto the highway but was too close to avoid him completely. I used all the road I could to the right hoping he would slow down or turn when I flashed the lights. Then he stop and I braced for impact! I had managed to swerve to the right enough to just take out my headlight, buckle the driver fender and have deer stuff all along the driver side of the car. I think with some duct tape I can get it back on the road! :)

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Trying to figure out if I can find enough parts to get it ready to go to the London Cobra Show...
I'm leaving it sit for the night and will work on it tomorrow. I only have tomorrow to work on it as I have to be in Pittsburgh by Sunday evening.

As this is a Mark I body my options maybe a bit more limited.

[Gordon Levy]

Headlight assy and a little glass work and you will be fine. Glad your OK.

[R. Button]

AND a pressure power WASH!!!! :)
Looking it over this am the guardian angels earned their wings last night!
Am not going to make it to the LCS but the car is all fixable. I have enough spare parts for every thing except the headlight glass.
I'm running HID bulbs and have a spare for it.
Oh and threw the shirt I was wearing in the garbage too! ;) and a long hot shower when I got home!

[GoDadGo]

So Mr. Button, at what mileage did you hit this deer?

This Traveler Want-A-Bee Would Really Like To Know!

Also, hogs & gators are more of a problem down here so beware if you ever head South to the Big Easy, officially known as New Orleans.

Glad you didn't get hurt and that your legendary Factory Five is repairable.

[Chris @ Forma]

Wow,
That could have been so much worse. They are not very smart animals and are prone to suicide by motor vehicle. I'm so glad that it wasn't a foot or two further right. Our beloved cars are much easier to repair.

Chris

[R. Button]

So Mr. Button, at what mileage did you hit this deer?


This Traveler Want-A-Bee Would Really Like To Know!

Just add 42 miles to the June 1st mileage - most of that testing the new rims, tires and carb setup.

[JimLev]

Sorry to see your car damaged. Hope it's an easy fix for you.
The other forum that I'm a moderator on the usual comment on something like this would be, "that will buff right out".

[R. Button]

or duct tape it! :)

[Garry Bopp]

Ralph,

Glad to hear that you weren't hurt, other than "deer stuff" all over you! There have been several "Cobra" accidents lately that involved much worse outcomes so I'm happy that your guardian angels were on duty. I was looking forward to meeting you at LCS ... sorry that you won't be there. Why don't you just fly in anyways for the fun and fellowship? My car is down for repairs so I'll be there without a car.

Garry

[Papa]

I live in a rural area where "the deer and the antelope play" and have had a couple of very close calls, but thankfully no impacts. The first was in my 7200 lb. F-250 that doesn't exactly stop on a dime and the second in my wife's Lexus RX-350. Both gave me a big scare, but I can't imagine hitting one in a roadster with only a flimsy windshield to protect me from being crushed. You were very lucky to escape without injury with the glancing impact. Glad to hear you are okay and the car is fixable.

[mburger]

I lost count of how many times both my wife and I hit a deer. In one case the deer actually ran into the side of my truck. That is one of many things I don’t miss about living in the north east. Very glad you were not hurt and yes, cars can be repaired and replaced people can’t.
Another proud owner of an original Mk1.

[RoadRacer]

601,165 miles as of 6/1/2018

Wow, that is so impressive.

[Walt]

So Ralph, did you ever repaint like you were talking about? Or are you going to now?
Walt

[R. Button]

The repainting never was done BUT now the discussion has come up once again that I'm going to need to repaint the car.
That is even coming from my wife!

[Chris @ Forma]

They are amazingly stupid animals. I find it surprising that the still exist. A few years back, on a relatively cold winter day, I pulled into my rural driveway to find 3 does warming themselves on the sun warmed asphalt. As I stopped the Pathfinder, they bolted up the hill to my right, made a U-turn and sprinted back down the hill. One of them ran right into the B-pillar at the driver's door rendering it unconscious. As I fumbled for my pocket knife to end its misery (I'm a fan of venison), it jumped up and ran off.

Bottom line is that they are dangerous to vehicles even if you aren't moving.

Chris

[JL1958]

This was always a fear of mine when driving home at dusk. Glad you are ok.

[AC Bill]

As I fumbled for my pocket knife to end its misery (I'm a fan of venison), it jumped up and ran off. Chris

Dang..that would have made for some good eats..lol

[John4337]

Glad you’re ok, could have been a lot worse.

John

[Al_C]

Glad you're OK and that the damage was minimal. These animals have excellent hearing and are certainly impulsive. (One heard me push an arrow onto the bowstring at 30 yards...) I have used whistles similar to these, as have many friends, and they actually work. Just a thought. If you live in an area where deer are prevalent, the cost (less than 10 bucks) makes it pretty much a no-brainer. Here's a link:
https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Automotive-22-1-01000-8-Black-Warning/dp/B000CC4O58/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1529285757&sr=8-4&keywords=deer+whistle

[CNIdog]

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