20 replies to this topic

[IronmanG]

Anyone going next weekend? Apparently those Chinese copy shells are going to be there. Worth getting a look

Edited by IronmanG, 06 September 2026 - 04:48 PM.

[mab01uk]

Three Chinese Classic Mini body shells were on display at a Classic Car show in Germany recently.

 

Sheng Hao Automobile

"Three Classic Mini body shells, each representing a different stage of production. Rather than presenting only a finished product, we wanted visitors to see the complete manufacturing journey—from welded steel to a fully painted body shell."

https://www.vtgbody....-Detail/59.html

 

 

 

[lordyoung1980]

I'm looking to go, will be interesting to have a look at these.

[Aridgerunner]

I don't know if I'd want one. Where's the fun in that? I've spent countless hours cutting out rusted sheet metal and welding in new bits. Bits that don't always fit just right. And then the de-greasing of the oily smelly engine bay....and the cuts and scrapes you get when you're not paying attention....and the occasional burn from hot metal. It's all fun! Right?

Can you imagine putting one of these together and not getting dirty? Humph!

[coopertaz]

will be interesting to note the price compared to heritage

[mab01uk]

will be interesting to note the price compared to heritage

 

...and the quality of the steel, welding and general fit and finish, panel gaps, etc.

 

Although we should also be aware that most companies, including Heritage, will usually make sure that extra attention is given to the manufactured quality of any products that are going 'on display or show' to potential customers.

Price is likely to be competitive if the rapid growth of imported Chinese car sales in the UK & Europe is anything to go by, sadly it is looking like that will be at the expense of job losses in our own car industry and Europe, especially Germany, with VW already cutting back production and jobs.

Edited by mab01uk, 09 September 2026 - 01:05 PM.

[mab01uk]

Apparently their U.K. agent is showing the Chinese shell and various body panels at Stanford Hall tomorrow.

 

Edited by mab01uk, 12 September 2026 - 07:00 PM.

[beardylondon]

It’s probably a heritage shell with a different colour primer, I jest….😂

[IronmanG]

First reports on Facebook are saying as good as a heritage shell e coated approx £8k

[Gaz66]

First reports on Facebook are saying as good as a heritage shell e coated approx £8k

If that's including import duty, vat etc then its a big saving on a heritage shell.
I wonder if the dvla will accept it for a reshell 🤔

[Shooter63]

It just flashed up on my FB feed, they will make pick up shells to order, the Chinese that is.

 

Shooter

[bpirie1000]

I wish someone would cater for the north of the UK ......

We get forgotten... Scottland....

Where the roads are chuffing brilliant.....

Come see for yourselves....

[mab01uk]

First reports on Facebook are saying as good as a heritage shell e coated approx £8k

 

So how does officially selling & importing these Chinese 'copy' Mini shells to the UK work without official 'British Motor Heritage' & 'BMW Mini' licensing, etc? While remembering how BMW lawyers took strong legal action against any unlicensed aftermarket classic Mini companies trading back in the early 2000's.

BRITISH MOTOR HERITAGE AND LICENSING
"British Motor Heritage represents the classic marques of Austin, Morris, Austin Mini, Morris Mini, Special Tuning, Riley, Wolseley and Rover together with the iconic British sports cars of MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey.
All are available for worldwide license. The BMH licensed products and designs have been inspired by the original sales brochures and advertising material held in the BMH archive.
Brandgenuity are the exclusive license agent for BMW working with Mini and help to celebrate the rich history of these legendary brands through global licensing partnerships. To enquire further for licensing opportunities with Mini please contact Howard Clare at hclare@brandgenuity.com"
https://www.bmh-ltd.com/licensing/

Edited by mab01uk, 14 September 2026 - 10:22 PM.

[beardylondon]

I’d like to think BMW / heritage would go after them, but I would be surprised if they bothered. It could be viewed as car part, and hence as not a finished car, it will cost them more in lawyers fees going after them than it’s worth. And then the Chinese will just start up again a few months later. They are fighting a loosing battle. Plus I doubt they will sell that many anyway, so it’s chicken feed in the grand scale of things.

Yes the classic mini market is still alive and kicking, but things have moved on since the early 2000s. Look at all the knock off body kits and stuff that YouTubers like Chris Slix fits.

I could of course be entirely wrong and they firing off cease and desist letters as I speak, weather anyone will read them is another matter…

First reports on Facebook are saying as good as a heritage shell e coated approx £8k

So how does officially selling & importing these Chinese 'copy' Mini shells to the UK work without official 'British Motor Heritage' & 'BMW Mini' licensing, etc? While remembering how BMW lawyers took strong legal action against any unlicensed aftermarket classic Mini companies trading back in the early 2000's.

BRITISH MOTOR HERITAGE AND LICENSING
"British Motor Heritage represents the classic marques of Austin, Morris, Austin Mini, Morris Mini, Special Tuning, Riley, Wolseley and Rover together with the iconic British sports cars of MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey.
All are available for worldwide license. The BMH licensed products and designs have been inspired by the original sales brochures and advertising material held in the BMH archive.
Brandgenuity are the exclusive license agent for BMW working with Mini and help to celebrate the rich history of these legendary brands through global licensing partnerships. To enquire further for licensing opportunities with Mini please contact Howard Clare at hclare@brandgenuity.com"
https://www.bmh-ltd.com/licensing/

Edited by beardylondon, 15 September 2026 - 10:56 AM.

[Steve220]

I’d like to think BMW / heritage would go after them, but I would be surprised if they bothered. It could be viewed as car part, and hence as not a finished car, it will cost them more in lawyers fees going after them than it’s worth. And then the Chinese will just start up again a few months later. They are fighting a loosing battle. Plus I doubt they will sell that many anyway, so it’s chicken feed in the grand scale of things.

Yes the classic mini market is still alive and kicking, but things have moved on since the early 2000s. Look at all the knock off body kits and stuff that YouTubers like Chris Slix fits.

I could of course be entirely wrong and they firing off cease and desist letters as I speak, weather anyone will read them is another matter…

First reports on Facebook are saying as good as a heritage shell e coated approx £8k

So how does officially selling & importing these Chinese 'copy' Mini shells to the UK work without official 'British Motor Heritage' & 'BMW Mini' licensing, etc? While remembering how BMW lawyers took strong legal action against any unlicensed aftermarket classic Mini companies trading back in the early 2000's.

BRITISH MOTOR HERITAGE AND LICENSING
"British Motor Heritage represents the classic marques of Austin, Morris, Austin Mini, Morris Mini, Special Tuning, Riley, Wolseley and Rover together with the iconic British sports cars of MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey.
All are available for worldwide license. The BMH licensed products and designs have been inspired by the original sales brochures and advertising material held in the BMH archive.
Brandgenuity are the exclusive license agent for BMW working with Mini and help to celebrate the rich history of these legendary brands through global licensing partnerships. To enquire further for licensing opportunities with Mini please contact Howard Clare at hclare@brandgenuity.com"
https://www.bmh-ltd.com/licensing/

Like most chinese companies, they wont care, nor will they do anything about it.