23 replies to this topic

[nicholasp99]

just out of interest, what is the general opinion f installing a fibreglass front rather than spending loads of money on welding and new panels for a very rusty rover mini?

 

is there an advantage/disadvantage of using fibreglass?

 

many thanks,

 

[Daz1968]

Disadvantage is that it effectively could require a sva and value on resale would be lower. I don’t think it’s a good idea on a road car.

[sonikk4]

Disadvantages

 

Its weaker than a welded steel front.

 

General fit is poor depending on who made the panel.

 

Car was never designed that way to start with.

 

Insurance cost can be greater?? 

[Tupers]

Generally for a road car where you don’t need fast access to the engine and suspension they’re a bit naff.

The fit is rarely great and the edges often end up chipped after taking them on and off a few times.

They can be made to fit very nicely but that time would be better spent doing a steel front which is a better quality and stronger long term solution.

[Broomer]

Craaaaaaap.

[gem1]

Ime all for a flip or removable front but steel for us

[Icey]

I have one. I wouldn't have another.
 
It still takes a significant amount of time to make them fit as most are really badly made (both in terms of the finsh quality and shape/detail of the moulding).
 
When the one we have gets either mangled or I get fed up with it, I'll be going back to steel.
 

Generally for a road car where you don’t need fast access to the engine and suspension they’re a bit naff.

Here's the thing - they are rubbish for fast access. Most jobs just need a quick check under the bonnet (water/oil levels, fuses etc..) but with a 1-piece frontend you have to take the whole damn thing off. No major thing if you've got space but try doing it when it's a bit windy, you're in a car park and you've forgotten to bring a blanket/sheet with you to stop it getting scuffed on the tarmac.

Edited by Icey, 19 June 2019 - 10:07 PM.

[Cooperman]

They reduce the structural integrity and thus reduce crash-resistance.

They look awful.

They never fit properly.

They seriously de-value your classic Mini.

They are no real advantage in any way.

[Ethel]

Take it people aren't fans?

 

Its physical properties compare favourably to mild steel, even more so to rust. But it doesn't weld very well  so would require a complete redesign of how it's attached.

 

The cost is fairly similar, unless you really need a bonnet and have to pay to have the welding done.

[Broomer]

I regret getting one years ago as the fit is terrible, the actual front is not wide enough so wings are splayed, not my terrible workmanship. Always say I will buy the full set of steel panels eventually.

However I get heart palpitations when I see the price of heritage clubman wings, bonnet, front panel, slam panel and headlamp surrounds.

[Broomer]

On the plus side it's not rusted out in 8 years like a steel one would have

[minifreek1]

I'm converting mine to flip up front, I'll be going steel with extra strengthening.

I did consider fibreglass, but got put off the idea due to structural reasons/crash resistance.

[KTS]

..this one (not a good picture i'm afraid) had a steel removable/flip-front with the bonnet hinged at the front and internal bracing to keep it rigid

 

https://i.imgur.com/wgahbtp.jpg

 

combination of opening bonnet and removable front end worked pretty well  (..if doing it again, i'd figure out a way of keeping the bonnet hinges at the back though..)

[Trissy B]

I'm converting mine to flip up front, I'll be going steel with extra strengthening.

I did consider fibreglass, but got put off the idea due to structural reasons/crash resistance.

Never stacked up to me. In a big crash, a thin bit of wing isn't going to do anything to resist the force or absorb the energy.

[Cooperman]

As has been mentioned on here many times before by lots of people, the Mini is a monocoque structure with all body structure taking dynamic and crash loads.
Some answer that the bracing fitted with flip fronts replaces the front body strength, but who did the detailed stress analysis to confirm this? Probably no-one!

I am not against glass-fibre as a material. In fact just this week I bought a beautiful glass-fibre sailplane (a Slingsby Sport Vega for those who like aircraft), but not for the front of a Mini