10 replies to this topic

[exuptoy]

Right getting ready to weld in some new metal and require a lot of panels, both outer sills both inner sills, both a panels, both a pillars, both wings, full scuttle, front panel and rear corner where the right hand filler would be on a cooper. I was gonna get aftermarket panels for the trim areas such as sills and a pillars but get heritage for the wings, scuttle and front panel due to the fit an finish with panel gaps etc. Is this correct or are most panels now pretty close to factory sizes or do you still need to manipulate the shapes a little.
Also can any of you recommend reasonably costed and quality panel suppliers if we are not talking about heritage stuff.

[M44K TS]

I know the genuine scuttle panel fit perfect, the guy who's doing my car was showing me, he'd litterally just chopped out the old scuttl and the new one just slotted in place.

Unsure about the non genuie panels fit as he's sorting all that

[Bungle]

woody from tmf supplies panels or there's minispares both do forum discounts

[mini_lover]

woody from tmf supplies panels or there's minispares both do forum discounts

How does that ^^ work? (Mini Spares forum discount)

Edited by mini_lover, 13 November 2007 - 04:29 PM.

[Bungle]

PM simon@minispares and he will sort you out

[exuptoy]

Thanks lads, I still would like other peoples opinions as well......so.....bump

[panelbeaterpeter]

You're right in what you say about getting genuine panles where the gaps are crucial like the front panel/scuttle areas, but parts like floors and sills can be bought quite cheaply, and the quality is usually very good. Most panles need a bit of fettling, especially with an older car like a mini, as no one car is exactly the same! I find HADRIAN make quite good repro panels, thier A panels are a very good fit. Another thing is non gen panels are often made out of a thicker guage metal than genuine! this is certainly the case with front panels.

[exuptoy]

Thanks Peter, with regards to hadrian panels front panel is this good enough quality not to screw up the wing lines ie the edges as I believe you need to bolt on the front panel against the front subframe before offering up the wings and a-panels before tacking together, am I correct? You can see what I have to contend with Here . This is how I purchased the car.

Edited by exuptoy, 13 November 2007 - 08:59 PM.

[panelbeaterpeter]

That doesn't look at all bad! And yeah you're right regarding the fitting sequence. I fitted a non genuine front panel to my own mini, partly because I'm Scottish, therefore tight and also minimachine whom I bought it off said it was of good quality. I'm perfectly happy with the fit, I used genuine wings though.

[exuptoy]

That doesn't look at all bad! And yeah you're right regarding the fitting sequence. I fitted a non genuine front panel to my own mini, partly because I'm Scottish, therefore tight and also minimachine whom I bought it off said it was of good quality. I'm perfectly happy with the fit, I used genuine wings though.

Pete I'm used to working with jocks mate as I work offshore off Aberdeen, anyway I'm a Celt anyway coming from sheep grazing country ie south wales and I'm a tight arse who will try to engineer something before spending the moolah.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Same I'm from the Orkney Islands. Not far from Aberdeen. Now living in Somerset for some reason...