You and me in the same boat, brother!
All I can say is it's been about 4 months and I've still got a heavily stoved in wing and door, and I've so far got a hefty £90 in my bank account, with the remaining £500 excess yet to be paid, because the third party isn't accepting liability. Amazingly. I genuinely wish you the best of luck. As far as I can see, all the 3rd party has to do is not accept liability.. ever, and then the poor sod who gets hit doesn't ever get any money. Easy. So if you went to court charged with triple murder, say 'I didn't do it, judge' then they let you off 'ah well, he can't be lying, can he?' Bizzarre!!!
Might be able to source you a tailgate, (star silver) but the guy probably needs it to keep his car watertight, so to speak... unless he'd swap yours for his, maybe? Hmmm... that's a thought - let me know if you get stuck sourcing a tailgate, yes?