15 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

I've been toying with the idea of buying a new shell for my '71 MK3.  The current one is pretty solid, but it's had some dubious welding done over the years and could also do with the roof replacing as it's been cut for a sunroof.

 

Now, what I'm wondering is whether I can even buy a new MK3 shell to the same spec as mine.  It's got the remote box, twin bolt subframe, magic wand aperture and sealing plate, gutter drip rails and I think should have the 4-flute sills.

 

Does anyone know if Heritage build to spec, or whether they just have mk4, mk5 or whatever shells?

Ta!

[The Matt]

They don't list them on here:

 

http://www.bmh-ltd.com/minishell.htm

[Cooperman]

You can only get the later shell from Heritage and they are seriously expensive.

Also, I was looking at a brand new Heritage shell recently and the build quality is very poor. Door gaps are bad and panel joint finish is also poor. I don't think this was just one poor one as when I was at Mini Spares when these new shells first came out the build quality was poor even then. For the money you might be best getting the existing shell re-built to a good standard.

[alicetheauto]

Word of the law is, you can't reshell as an exact replacement is not available from the manufacturer (British Motor Heritage in this case) however it's accepted to purchase a new mk5 shell and modify it back to your spec.

[Broomer]

I would of thought you could buy all brand new panels where the dodgy welding is, get it professionally repaired and painted for the price of a new shell ?

[alicetheauto]

Especially when you factor in paying the same body shop to put a heritage shell right anyway!

[mab01uk]

Heritage build Mk4 Shells, Clubman Mk4 as well as Mk5 and Sportpack.

http://www.bmh-ltd.com/minishell.htm

 

Mk3 is not available and even the proposed Mk1 and Mk2 look-alike shell is likely to use the later floorpan for rubber mounted subframes, etc, to keep costs and tooling reasonable.

Edited by mab01uk, 09 March 2014 - 08:47 PM.

[The Matt]

I would of thought you could buy all brand new panels where the dodgy welding is, get it professionally repaired and painted for the price of a new shell ?

Yeah. I've got most of what I need. Just having a senior moment and wondering whether I can be bothered to do all the welding work or whether I'd be best with a new shell. If they don't do them anyway, then the question is already answered.

[blacktulip]

Besides, wouldnt you like to know the shell is original?

[mab01uk]

Besides, wouldnt you like to know the shell is original?

 

But how many panels can be replaced before the shell is considered no longer the original......see below.

 

Mini Pickup Reconstruction:

"This project was a literally a rebuild from the ground up. Not a single panel went untouched even the roof. The lower half of the body had rust repaired previously, but it appeared to have been done after the pickup was in an accident, thus making the twist/ damage to the body permanent. Because of the poor repairs the entire lower section was built from new panels and what was left of the cab was set on top The single hardest part of the bodyshell restoration was filling in the sunroof hole. The sunroof had caused a flat spot in the center of the hole and had to be corrected along with filling the hole. Took 2+ days to weld up and metalwork the roof back to the correct shape."

http://boot2bonnet.com/

[blacktulip]

Besides, wouldnt you like to know the shell is original?

 
But how many panels can be replaced before the shell is considered no longer the original......see below.
 
Mini Pickup Reconstruction:
"This project was a literally a rebuild from the ground up. Not a single panel went untouched even the roof. The lower half of the body had rust repaired previously, but it appeared to have been done after the pickup was in an accident, thus making the twist/ damage to the body permanent. Because of the poor repairs the entire lower section was built from new panels and what was left of the cab was set on top The single hardest part of the bodyshell restoration was filling in the sunroof hole. The sunroof had caused a flat spot in the center of the hole and had to be corrected along with filling the hole. Took 2+ days to weld up and metalwork the roof back to the correct shape."
http://boot2bonnet.com/

op says the shell isnt that bad. Hardly going to a triggers broom lol

[mininuts]

Our Mk3 S has been re-shelled into a Heritage shell several years back by its previous owner at great expense. It's very, very hard to tell though as he had the gutter drip rails fitted, the front subframe top mounts modified to twin bolt fixings, front panel modified for oil cooler etc, etc, the list goes on,



Only a 'spot weld counter' could probably tell it's been re-shelled. We bought the car knowing its history and it's price reflected the fact that it's been re-shelled. A lot of folk seem to frown on the re-shelling of cars but, for us, the fact is, it saved a Cooper S from the scrappy and we still see it as a genuine Mk3 Cooper S.

[The Matt]

And it's an absolutely stunning one too.

My shell isn't rotten. It's daft things like the oversills that have been done 10-15 years ago. All of the fresh air vents are sealed up. The rear bins were replaced (by me) for the later type without ashtrays as that's all I could find and didn't know the difference until I'd fitted them. The rear quarters seem good. Boot floor seems good. I've got new inner and outer wings, front panel and A-panels to fit mostly Heritage panels). But then there's things like taking out the bulkhead mods from the Vauxhall conversion and also the old Weber box. A new toeboard is £300, a new bulkhead panel another £100 or so, a new scuttle is £100. New sills and rear bins would be another few hundred. By the time I add up the panels and my time to fit them; it's a lot of effort and money that could go into a new Heritage shell.

But if they don't do early MK3 shells to OE spec then I'm not interested. I'll do it the harder way and have it right.

[jpw1275]

hi matt, bullmotif do the ash tray panels for the rear bins, its looking like im going down the route of a new front end plus new a posts in and out.....i think if i could get a new heritage mk3 shell i would get one lol as ive got about 4 weeks of constant welding to do aswell..... mine has got over sills fitted and about 2 or 3 floors , i know this because when i removed part of the sill the inner sill is shot but from the inside all looks good..... ive actually just started a rebuild thread..... ive had the car for 5 years ish and just done little things here and there but ive now decided to crack on with the help of my step son as he wants a project so the time seemed perfect....

 

cheers james

[The Matt]

I've never heard of Bullmotif. Cheers fro the info.

Sounds like your shell is similar to mine, James. Shall we approach Heritage for mk3 builds? Buy One Get One Free?