22 replies to this topic

[Mr Joshua]

Heritage panels are not all they are cracked up to be I have dressed, stretched, shrank, and brought to bare all my metal forming skills and I could not get the passenger front wing to fit and get the panel gap without having to admit that drastic action would be required. I bit the bullet and got a non gen wing which fits and lines up much better, not perfect but with what is presented to me now I can achieve the desired result.

[mrducati]

I have to agree that we are really spoiled with cheap body panels for our cars. Not only are they really cheap, but you can get every panel there is on a mini or even a complete bodyshell if you want! Not many classic cars you can say that about!

[tiger99]

I have to agree that we are really spoiled with cheap body panels for our cars. Not only are they really cheap, but you can get every panel there is on a mini or even a complete bodyshell if you want! Not many classic cars you can say that about!

 

Yes indeed, and they are nearly all ex BMC, i.e. Mini, MGB and Midget supported fully by Heritage, with a fair range of parts for the Moggy, various other MGs and some Triumphs available from various sources. Jags have support too, but the price of an E-type bonnet will probably buy a good Mini! I think it correlates well with these vehicles being of true British origin, unlike say Fords or Vauxhalls of that ere, which probably were more reliable, but were perceived as being "foreign", either of US or European origin (yes, I know that statement is grossly over-simplified!). Or maybe, it was because .BMC and Jaguar made a better range, including true sports cars,  than the others, and certainly had the edge as far as handling was concerned. Economy too, BMC models with SU carbs were much better that Fords of that era, with fixed jet Zenith carbs.

 

My own instinct is to stick with ex-BMC stuff, although I would also like a Ford 100E (an A series engine would improve matters!) and a Rover P4, both of which are poorly supported as far as body panels are concerned.

[Artful Dodger]

You can get all the parts for ww2 ford/willys jeeps now, they're great fun to restore!!

[tiger99]

I never knew that, but the idea of a jeep is severely tempting, in view of the simplicity. You don't need to aim for a high standard of paintwork either. I dare say that with a modern turbodiesel engine a jeep could be tolerably economical too.

[Simont]

You see why I didn't buy the Zodiac  .

And I guess those panels still might not fit well either.

We Mini restorers are so fortunate, as are MG restorers. I'll be starting on an MGB-GT shortly and I'm pleased that all panels are available at a sensible price and they will fit without too much fiddling about.

 

Most panels on a B just bolt on,    I've just finished a part restored B-GT and currently working on my dads midget and brown and gammons have every part you could need for a very reasonable price,

[Dylanscar]

Could I throw a question into the ring and see what pops out?

 

With all your experience and my complete lack of it where would you suggest to get a rear quarter panel from? 

 

I was looking overall to get from M-Machine as they seem to have a good reputation and also supply more small parts such as the rear boot repair section but now I read that some panels are better from certain suppliers??

 

Quarter panel worries me the most so advice would be excellent

 

Thanks

[sonikk4]

To be honest although pattern quarter panels do fit they can be a royal pain in the backside as well. Personally I would use the Heritage ones although these may need a bit of work. I have used these on Project Erm and Wills Mini Special and have already bought them for my clubman as well.