30 replies to this topic

[mk3cortina]

right then, i want to freshen up the front end of my mini, the fornt panel and both wings replacing, however im torn between either buying steel panels, or fitting a fibreglass 1 piece front end. now i do like fibreglass because i think its easy to work with and ive replaced the wings on my other classics with fibreglass ones, however ive been told that fibreglass is awful for crazing and stuff so will ruin the paint eventually.

so would anyone with the fibreglass front ends reccomend them? i do like the idea as i can whip the whole thing off and make sure the front end never rusts again under the inner wings etc.

[Scallywag630]

With a fibreglass front end , you are lining yourself up for an IVA test!!!!

[DaveCrean]

right then, i want to freshen up the front end of my mini, the fornt panel and both wings replacing, however im torn between either buying steel panels, or fitting a fibreglass 1 piece front end. now i do like fibreglass because i think its easy to work with and ive replaced the wings on my other classics with fibreglass ones, however ive been told that fibreglass is awful for crazing and stuff so will ruin the paint eventually.

so would anyone with the fibreglass front ends reccomend them? i do like the idea as i can whip the whole thing off and make sure the front end never rusts again under the inner wings etc.

Ive fitted mine myself, Ive had no problems with it personally and with a fair amount of fettling ive got a pretty good fit.

I'd say the thing to watch is make sure you by a decent quality one, I bought mine fairly cheap and the shape was pretty out, it needed ALOT of sanding to get an near half decent fit.

Hope this helps

[mk3 Cooper S]

Have you considered a steel one piece front end? Could be the best of both worlds for you?

[Tupers]

With a fibreglass front end , you are lining yourself up for an IVA test!!!!

Not if you keep the flitches, supposedly.


If you want a flip front and will be using the car regularly then you're much better off making a steel one. Fiberglass front ends are good for track cars and a Sunday run about but I wouldn't want one for regular use. I'm yet to see a fiberglass front end that looked right on a road car.

[mk3cortina]

ive seen loads of pictures of fibreglass fronted minis and they look great, im the type of person who would probably benefit from the ease of taking the front end off regularly as im always under the bonnet.

[mk3 Cooper S]

This one is steel and hinged for general maintainance and removable for more than that.
Cant upload piccies at the moment?

PM me you email address and I will snd you photos.

[blackbelt1990]

I've got fibreglass on my Cooper, it's painted really well and has taken being driven into really well where a steel front would have creased! Lol

apparently if you leave the inner wings on then there's no need for an IVA, that's what I've done

[GW]

apparently if you leave the inner wings on then there's no need for an IVA, that's what I've done

Thats the way I understand it too, as the inner wings are highly structural, cutting them constitutes a modified monocoque and head straight to BIVA. I would however check with either www.the-ace.co.uk or your local DVLA/VOSA inspectors for clarification. I wouldn't like to be resposible for telling you it was ok and then finding you had to prepare your car for the test!

[george91]

apparently if you leave the inner wings on then there's no need for an IVA, that's what I've done

Thats the way I understand it too, as the inner wings are highly structural, cutting them constitutes a modified monocoque and head straight to BIVA. I would however check with either www.the-ace.co.uk or your local DVLA/VOSA inspectors for clarification. I wouldn't like to be resposible for telling you it was ok and then finding you had to prepare your car for the test!

I was really hoping this was the case too, i've got a fibreglass front on order and was hoping to get away without a biva or what ever too. Apparently an iva doesn't apply to any classic mini except the very last ones as it only applys to cars that are 10 years old or less which is where the biva comes in, i'm sure thats the case i read it in the new mini world with the white mk2 on the front.

[adam_93rio]

apparently if you leave the inner wings on then there's no need for an IVA, that's what I've done

Thats the way I understand it too, as the inner wings are highly structural, cutting them constitutes a modified monocoque and head straight to BIVA. I would however check with either www.the-ace.co.uk or your local DVLA/VOSA inspectors for clarification. I wouldn't like to be resposible for telling you it was ok and then finding you had to prepare your car for the test!

I was really hoping this was the case too, i've got a fibreglass front on order and was hoping to get away without a biva or what ever too. Apparently an iva doesn't apply to any classic mini except the very last ones as it only applys to cars that are 10 years old or less which is where the biva comes in, i'm sure thats the case i read it in the new mini world with the white mk2 on the front.

ill have to look into this

also, the inner wings, without wings and a front panel attached arent structural at all. theyre flimsy peices of tin to be honest.

i would recomend a fibreglass front. ive got a two piece tho and it is solid mounted but removable. didnt see the point in it flipping, you dont need access that regularly to suspansion etc

[mk3 Cooper S]

apparently if you leave the inner wings on then there's no need for an IVA, that's what I've done

Thats the way I understand it too, as the inner wings are highly structural, cutting them constitutes a modified monocoque and head straight to BIVA. I would however check with either www.the-ace.co.uk or your local DVLA/VOSA inspectors for clarification. I wouldn't like to be resposible for telling you it was ok and then finding you had to prepare your car for the test!

I was really hoping this was the case too, i've got a fibreglass front on order and was hoping to get away without a biva or what ever too. Apparently an iva doesn't apply to any classic mini except the very last ones as it only applys to cars that are 10 years old or less which is where the biva comes in, i'm sure thats the case i read it in the new mini world with the white mk2 on the front.

also, the inner wings, without wings and a front panel attached arent structural at all. theyre flimsy peices of tin to be honest.

Yes , which is why it is so farsical!!!! You may as well mock some up with paper mache or tin foil !!!

[GW]

sorry - should have clarified - 'stuctaral' in the eyes of VOSA.....

On the ten year rule, i dont think that was worded very will in miniworld. Dont have the issue to hand but re-read it. It does not exempt cars over 10 years.

To Add - I have invited someone from The Association of Car Enthusiasts (www.the-ace.co.uk) to join up and explain things for us - they can word it a lot better than myself or miniworld for that matter!

Edited by GW, 13 May 2010 - 12:07 PM.

[Ethel]

There's been a couple of very long topics about IVA's & Minis, with some comments from ACE.

As I understand it IVA is for cars that have been modified enough to lose their original ID so I don't see where a 10 year rule would come in - they will be considered a new build.

[mk3cortina]

thanks for all the replies guys, i think ill go ahead and fit the 1 piece front end, i wont be making it a flip front, just removeable. i think that way its less hassle perhaps. i might change my mind on that though. so if i leave the inner wings alone and not cut them right down to the damper brackers or thereabouts, will i still require the pair of brace bars?