26 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

Well, this is a sad story.

 

I am restoring "850 Magic Lilly". I tried to repair she as good as I can but I found some mistakes I've made. Unfortunately I did not notice them in time 

 

Now I am a little bit lost where to go : going back and repair the mistakes or leave them as they are. 

 

What do you think ?

 

On the right hand side the bottom flange/edge of the quarter panel does not follow the curve of the sill. Instead it's sticks out a little. It is not really nice.

 

 8502.jpg   59.45K   32 downloads

 

The floor on the right side is not parallel with the sill or door step but slopes backwards. The surface where the vents are is twisted. I bought the 3 floor pieces (two side and the tunnel) from M-Machine and I welded them to 1 piece.

 

 85006.jpg   57.84K   20 downloads

 

Also I measured the inner wing bottom from the ventialtion holes : ~ 1cm difference

 

 

 8505.jpg   24.37K   17 downloads   8504.jpg   29.49K   20 downloads

 

 

[Chris1275gt]

I know absolutely nothing about bodywork, welling panels but if your like me if you don’t put it right you’ll be looking at it forever more and wishing you’d put it right.

[stuart bowes]

Are any of the subframe fixing positions affected, that's the only thing that would really concern me

[gaspen]

Are any of the subframe fixing positions affected, that's the only thing that would really concern me

 

A spent many hours with  measurements and adjustments, so I believe they are spot on. On the other hand I would like to make it nice also.

[gaspen]

I know absolutely nothing about bodywork, welling panels but if your like me if you don’t put it right you’ll be looking at it forever more and wishing you’d put it right.

 

It is not bad from a from a suitable distance    but it is in my thoughts

[mpialan]

Trial fit the door (if possible) see if it makes any difference.

[gaspen]

Trial fit the door (if possible) see if it makes any difference.

 

How do you think ? I don't believe the doors will straighten the edges 

[slidehammer]

I think if it bugging you now, correct it whilst still only in primer

I personally don't think the inner wing will show on the finished car but the rear quarter is a different matter  

[gaspen]

I think if it bugging you now, correct it whilst still only in primer

 

 

That is the question as it means lot's of "demolition"

[sledgehammer]

As above , fit the door - (you will have to anyway) to check the fit

It will need adjusting , and is a good indicator how far panels are out , and where they are out

 

It is easy to get overwhelmed at something , then stand back and it is only minor fault - if it is a fault at all

you are also assuming the panels you are fitting are perfect - they never are

even at the factory they needed adjusting 

 

as for the flitch panel (inner front wing) being out - that is minor , and looks to be more like 5mm out

also it's still in primer , so can still be fettled without too much hassle

I'm sure I've made much worse mistakes .

Best of luck 

 

Edited by sledgehammer, 15 October 2024 - 05:02 PM.

[mab01uk]

Remember Minis were hand built with lots of hammer action on the production line....I witnessed it several times on visits to the Longbridge Factory in the 1970's and 80's. Tolerances were wide and in later years the body tooling and presses were also quite worn due to BL/Rovers lack of investment in the Mini and their thoughts of ending Mini production at several points over the years. So don't get too carried away with achieving perfection with every panel just as long as the subframes are correctly aligned and the doors fit.

(Modern cars like the BMW MINI are now built to very fine tolerances as Robot car production lines can't cope with any panels needing some extra tweaking).

 

Example below of a BMC 'technical' instruction sent to Dealers to make the doors fit better on a Mk1/2 Mini...

 

 

[gaspen]

Remember Minis were hand built with lots of hammer action on the production line....I witnessed it several times on visits to the Longbridge Factory in the 1970's and 80's. Tolerances were wide and in later years the body tooling and presses were also quite worn due to BL/Rovers lack of investment in the Mini and their thoughts of ending Mini production at several points over the years. So don't get too carried away with achieving perfection with every panel just as long as the subframes are correctly aligned and the doors fit.

(Modern cars like the BMW MINI are now built to very fine tolerances as Robot car production lines can't cope with any panels needing some extra tweaking).

 

Example below of a BMC 'technical' instruction sent to Dealers to make the doors fit better on a Mk1/2 Mini...

 

 

 

I see, I know    But we would like to make our cars a little bit nicer, better. At least I think so 

 

Anyway the weather getting colder and I can not work outside. I will have time to think...

[gaspen]

Could someone help with some measurements on an unmolested body ? 

 

 20240806_170728.jpg   60.41K   15 downloads

[gaspen]

As above , fit the door - (you will have to anyway) to check the fit

It will need adjusting , and is a good indicator how far panels are out , and where they are out

 

It is easy to get overwhelmed at something , then stand back and it is only minor fault - if it is a fault at all

you are also assuming the panels you are fitting are perfect - they never are

even at the factory they needed adjusting 

 

as for the flitch panel (inner front wing) being out - that is minor , and looks to be more like 5mm out

also it's still in primer , so can still be fettled without too much hassle

I'm sure I've made much worse mistakes .

Best of luck 

 

 

I fitted both doors and made some checks. I've put the pictures in a gallery. I have to say it does not look  so bad now 

 

What do you think ?

 

https://photos.app.g...qFdjQKqi8B4NyV8

[sonscar]

I think you have done an excellent job.Steve..