10 replies to this topic

[sca]

hello answeard a couple of questions but never asked so here goes . Got new scuttle panel new wings A panels all heratige am i going to be wasting time putting non heratige front panel on and are heratige front panels a better fit .

[sonscar]

From my limited experience you will have to "fettle" whatever you try to fit,what is the price difference?as that would sway me.I fitted non genuine wings a panels and front panel and am happy with the result.Steve..

[Cooperman]

In general Heritage panels do seem to be a higher quality.

However, all Minis are subject to manufacturing tolerances and even Heritage panels can require some adjustment to get them to fit well.

If doing body restoration it might be assumed that an owner has some ability with sheet metal working.

Last year I fitted a Magnum door skin to my 1990 Cooper and it was not a very good fit. However, over the last couple of months I have fitted a Magnum door skin and a Magnum front wing to a 1986 Mayfair and the fit was superb. Even the Magnum door steps went in well with minimum fiddling about, despite others saying that they were/are a poor fit.

With our little cars we are lucky to have the choice of panels at sensible prices. Take a look at the availability and prices for other classics of similar age. I'm told that panels for classic Fords cost a fortune and don't fit well at all.

[IronmanG]

I just had a whole front end fitted and the heritage panels were not awesome. The amount of time they spent messing around I might as well have chosen cheaper panels and given the fitter the money!

[Tupers]

I’m my experience Heritage panels tend to be of a nicer quality steel but do still require a good amount of fettling to make them fit nicely.

I’ve fitted a lot of non genuine front panels from Mini Spares often altering them to MK1/2 spec and I’d happily fit more.

[sonikk4]

I fitted a complete Heritage front end to Will's Mini Special and i have to say it went on with very little drama.

 

Yes there was some tweaking here and there but other than that it was spot on.

 

My lads car was fwd of the scuttle Magnum and it was an utter utter pain in the arse. Never again.

[rich_959]

My car had a complete front end, including scuttle and inner wings. Bodyshop seemed to have a good panel supplier, as he often had three brands of panels when mocking the front end up, and I ended up with a mixture of Heritage and pattern parts. It wasn't about saving money - it was just getting the best fit with the panels available. Think I ended up with heritage A panels, inner wings, door posts and scuttle panel but pattern parts for front wings and front panel. 

[Steve220]

When i had the front end replaced on mine it was all heritage. Went on with very little modification to the panel.

[sovenmini]

I have fitted loads of panels now and have had just as many problems with heritage panels as cheap panels. I think the bigger picture here is it all comes down to experience and taking your time, the idea that people think you can just buy a panel and it go straight in and fit like a jig saw piece is just dreaming, yes sometimes you get lucky and it’s 99% there but still we have to remember these cars are old there used and had a life on the road so get bumped knock and panels replaced so stuff can be moved even just 1mm here or there.

The key to getting a good finish is more down to the person fitting them than who made them, you could get original panel taken off the production line when the factory was open and give them someone to fit now and if your lacking experience or skill then it the result is never going to be good, but give copy panels to a panel beater / panel fitter and get way better results.

To me the reason we replace panels is to make the car solid, rust free and keep enjoying it, does it matter who made the panel in the first place ? If it fits and looks correct and the car is solid then mission complete.

[cal844]

I have used magnum wings, A panels and front panel, all fitted well but the bonnet gap looked wide, we ended up having to remove a small amount from the flange that sits on top of the inner wing.

[sonscar]

We all like to fettle,don't we?Steve..