I was on my way this afternoon to have  a friend weld in my passenger side
seat swivel.  Smacked into the left rear of a ford escort with my right
front.  Its driver decided to make a left turn from the right lane, while I
was passing them in the left lane.  I laid on the horn and the brakes, and
got that sinking feeling as the car disappeared below my windshield.  Spun
the escort a tad more than 90 degrees.  Last I saw the escort, I was headed
right for the driver's door, so I'm glad I hit it farther back near the
corner.  Unfortunately, enough of the impact occurred above the bumper to
dent in the front pretty good, break the right headlight and side marker
light and knock off the lower grill.  I'm not sure if the grill is broken
or not yet.  Other driver was charged with a safe movement violation, but
is claiming they were in the left lane already when turning left.  Officer
doesn't go for that story based on the damage and how the vehicles ended
up.  I may have to testify against other driver.  Oh well.  I hope
insurance will help me out...  Vanagon is an 86 weekender converted to full
westy.  Chrome bumper is all tweaked on the right side, but the big
structure under it appears completely unscathed.  I was not afraid at all
when i realized I was going to hit the other car, because I knew I had the
battering ram technology on my side!

I will follow up on damage estimates and try to get some photos up.

Edward