Hi Nicol thanks for your input. Given you've rebuilt a wrecked VX220 (close relative of both the Lotus Elise and Tesla Roadster) how would you rate the chances of being able to rebuild this car? And the cost and effort involved?
The aluminium chassis is made out of extruded sections, bonded and riveted together and then baked for a few hours to cure the resin. Ive heard of people drilling out the rivets, and cutting off sections of the chassis for repair. To be honest though, I wouldn't dare repair any of it as its pretty much a monocoque structure and any altering of it will affect its integrity. Even straightening it out is a no no as aluminium wouldn’t retain its strength once it has been deformed/damaged. Its a real shame as the crash structure (the black box section fibreglass structure bonded to the front of the chassis) is easily cut off and glued back on with Tiger Seal or similar.
To be honest, if I were to repair this Tesla, or even buy it in a few years after its been fixed up, I wouldnt be happy unless the chassis had been replaced completely. The other option is a total strip down and then get the chassis properly repaired by Lotus or Tesla.
The pictures make it look like a easy fixer-upper but because of the chassis damage I would be pretty reluctant to take on what would no doubt end up a really big job.