7 replies to this topic

[Davey3legs]

Hi guys, not far off starting whats going to be an involved resto, seeing comments in other people's resto threads begs the question.

When buying panels, which areas NEED to be heritage? (for avoiding obvious fit and finish headaches), and which panels don't matter as much?. (Valance etc etc).

Got a rough budget in mind but would like to make savings on non critical areas if possible.

Cheers.

[alex-95]

Theres quite a few thread on this already, the scuttle needs to be heritage, I think most others can be non genuine. M-machine do good non genuine panels.

[slidehammer]

I have been told pattern bonnets don't fit well (too long) that was by M-Machine (I don't as I bought heritage). I have also had issues with pattern rear valances just didn't fit and the screw threads for fog lamp are metric not imperial (if that matters to you).M-Machine floor panels are good, but some of the Magnum / Hadrian panels are designed to slap over the top of the original panels which is a complete bodge and to be avoided.

[sonikk4]

Pattern bonnets are crap period. M Machine are good for floors, inner sills and outer sills. Heritage for everything else if you can afford it. Don't be put off though by pattern door skins and even rear quarter panels. They can be made to fit very well. The same applies to wings and front panels. Scuttle has to be Heritage, door steps the same. I get my steps made locally and they are very good.

 

Heelboard panels, well some out there are fit for nothing, terrible fit, metric captive nuts etc. Go Heritage or if you are handy with fabrication then make your own. I do this if its only the ends that are bad.

 

Do not buy M Machines rear arch front close out panels. It comes in two parts and although it does work you need to mess around with it, buy the Heritage one piece version. Their companion bins although not bad do not follow the contour of the B pillar and will need cutting and sectioning to get them to fit correctly. Buy Heritage if you can afford them.

 

Rear inner arches, buy Heritage. You can get them in two sections if you so desire and they do fit really well.

 

So a lot depends on your budget and also your ability to bend and shape metal. Having a plethora of clamps, vice grips, skin pins etc helps enormously or again if on a budget self tapping screws.

[Davey3legs]

Cheers guys, keep it coming if any more from experience.

I may be going as drastic as full side panels, rear,and windscreen surround from scuttle to roof. (It had a webasto sunroof and was left in a garden, i'll let you imagine the tinworm) Defo looking at the mini machine floor repair section including inner+outer sill for the floor, needs hinge panels, A panels, inner wing repair and half a boot floor...heelboard condition is currently unknown, but hopeful, pmsl.

I'm going to start a resto thread if i can get organised.

By the way, minispeed seem to have an excellent discount for a lot of the panels i've had a browse at...any reason not to use them?.

[absx2]

Heritage Clubman wings are great as are the A panels. They really do fit great as do the sills.

Round front Heritage wings are great on late model minis as the originals are just as crap because the press is basically worn out.

I bought heritage wings and front panel for my Mk2 and they were not even close to acceptable around the scuttle and bonnet. The n/s wing was curved along the bonnet shut line, the profile and shape around the headlamp joint and bonnet curve were diabolical and to add insult to injury the o/s wing was 6mm longer than the heritage n/s wing

I had serious beef direct with Heritage and they sent a further four wings so I could pick the best out of a bad lot and they sent a courier to collect the rest.

As part of my job I manufacture moulds and former's for one off aircraft sheet metal repair which is lucky as i had to do serious surgery on the wings involving cutting, shrinking, reshaping and tig welding to get a good fit.

After listening to the excuses from the heritage rep I checked my original mk3 minis wing next to my original Rover coopers wing and thou and behold he was right, the presses are worn out. 

Edited by absx2, 21 May 2016 - 05:49 PM.

[sonikk4]

Cheers guys, keep it coming if any more from experience.
I may be going as drastic as full side panels, rear,and windscreen surround from scuttle to roof. (It had a webasto sunroof and was left in a garden, i'll let you imagine the tinworm) Defo looking at the mini machine floor repair section including inner+outer sill for the floor, needs hinge panels, A panels, inner wing repair and half a boot floor...heelboard condition is currently unknown, but hopeful, pmsl.
I'm going to start a resto thread if i can get organised.
By the way, minispeed seem to have an excellent discount for a lot of the panels i've had a browse at...any reason not to use them?.

They have been going through a bad patch lately with staff as Scott who used to work there full time has left and only does a sat. Emma who took over has been long them sick and not sure if she has come back.

The people who were covering for her were shall we say somewhat lacking. I have ordered 90% of my panels with them and apart from the boot skin had no real issues. I was in no rush for the skin n but when it hit six weeks I then kicked off. Actually it was Scott who I contacted on a Sat that got my panel off and others who had been waiting for a long time.

So going on from that use them at your peril so to speak unless you contact Scott@minispeed on here first. I really hope they have sorted the staffing issue out as the discount we have in place with them is very good.

[Davey3legs]

Absx2 - sounds like you need to give them a hand. It surprises me, thought the market would still be big enough to justify refurb or replacement of the press moulds.

I used to be a coachbuilder, but i'm newish to involved panelwork and welding, strangely excited about it all, must be a sadist, lol. Waited a long time to get another mini.

Neil, thanks for heads up with minispeed, not too fussed about a wait for panels as used to waiting for stuff to come offshore, some of the bigger stuff works out quite a bit cheaper than minispares with the discount, so was keen on them, spose i need to brush off my chasing skills. Thinking of ordering bits for the floor from mini machine then don't mind a delay on other stuff.