Classic mini van - where to buy a panels / fibre glass front

[miniblob]

Right then, finally going to get moving with my mini van which has been sat on the drive forever!!!

Need inner & outer a panels for the passenger side - if anyone has bought/fitted any and found particular suppliers to be a good/bad fit, please let me know!!!

Same with the fibreglass front end (one piece) - any good/bad experiences with fit and finish???
Considering one from the-arc-angels.co.uk while they're reduced!!!

[Andyboy]

Grp flip front - very bad news. They look shit and the considerable and ever rising value of a Mini Van will be ruined. It's not as if Mini wings and a front panel are dear. Pattern panels are okay, no worse than the Heritage stuff. Mini Machine make nice stuff including the van steel grille panel.

[universal]

beware m-machine stuff, a lot of the common panels are just hadrians!

[Jesus325iTouring]

These guys close to me have a good reputation, might be worth a call....

http://www.somerford-mini.co.uk/

And I agree with Andy, fibreglass flip fronts are nasty and would spoil the increasingly rare van sat on your drive.

[B7]

Same here. Never rally 'got' fibregash front ends. I know they are common when silly engines are fitted but they still look crap.

[Jesus325iTouring]

Same here. Never rally 'got' fibregash front ends. I know they are common when silly engines are fitted but they still look crap.

Not always Trev, at a show I saw a nice smart van, some wide wheels etc, no fibre glass in sight and a bastard big V8 stuffed UNDER the bonnet
Entered the cabin a little mind, but still, no fibreglass

[miniblob]

I do appreciate some people's opinions of the GRP front ends, but they can look good if a bit of time is taken with the fitment!!! I've seen plenty that look good and I'm not going for a concours car (obviously!).

My van already has a grp front, but it's damaged and wasn't very well done by the previous owner!!!
Def sticking with the grp for now - may upgrade to a steel flip front if I ever accidentally grow up, or find some cash!!!

Plus the GRP front end is a lot cheaper than buying all the steel panels for the front end, mocking it up, fabricating it together so it lines up well - I'm not doing the work myself and it'll take more time/money than making a grp front look decent/acceptable!!!

Also, the opinion that a steel front isn't much dearer, means they can be done anytime and don't really affect the value that much tbh!!!

Have heard a few negative comments about m-machine tbh.

Not heard anything bad about somerford so they are on my list - just wondered if anyone had used/fitted panels from anywhere?!?!?!

[universal]

go along to one of the many mini shows, there are always loads of trade stands with every part you will need, you can check out the quality for yourself!

[miniblob]

Unfortunately, I really need to acquire some bits over the coming week - and to be honest, I wouldn't have a clue how good they'd be from looking!!!!

Just hoping someone may have fitted some previously and could give an opinion either way!!!

[universal]

to be honest, all mini panels require some work to fit, I usually use the heritage stuff, not the cheapest but quality as good if not better than most.

[Andyboy]

I'm not going for a concours car (obviously!).


Plus the GRP front end is a lot cheaper than buying all the steel panels for the front end

Sorry, I thought you wanted to do a nice proper job on it.

[miniblob]

That would be good Andyboy, but time and funds won't allow a show car at the moment!!!

Main aim is to have it driveable at a realistic point in the future, rather than as a garden ornament like the last 8 years plus!!!
As I've said, a steel front could be done any time in the future, as an upgrade!!!

[CarbTuner]

Hello there,

It has been a while since anybody has posted here, so I was wondering how your research has turned out, Miniblob?

Have you tried Mini Spares? I have worked with them quite often ordering parts to restore cars for my customers. They know what they are selling and focus on high quality service, I have rarely been disappointed...

The only time I was is when I had received a whole batch of faulty ignition condensers, which they finally took back.

The repro parts they sell are usually made by their own team of skilled and experienced technicians, so you are faced with good quality British craftsmanship here, not like the poorly fitting Chinese stuff you can find out there.

The few extra quid you might have to fork out will be well spent.

Also, I do understand the financial aspect with your choice to go plastic rather than metal, it surely won't rust, but it is a hassle if you are picky on correct fitment. And you don't want a clumsy assistant to roll the jack into it, especially when it comes out of the paint booth...(yes, this did happen to me, unfortunately)

Anyway, how is the work progressing? Do you have any pictures of it?

Give me a shout if you're in need of some tech spec, I know these cute little cars like the back of my hand!

[miniblob]

Hello mate - got a front end from 'the arc angels' in the end - good price and heard some good reviews - service was good, but I've not quite got it fitted yet, as the rest of the shell was being done first!!!

Shell is pretty much solid now - I've not spoken to the guy doing it for me for the last couple of weeks, as he was working a bit quick for my bank balance's liking!!!

Left him with the job of fitting the front end so it lifts on the original hinges, (he came up with a plan!!!). It needed quite a bit of trimming, etc, so I've left him to it, while I source some suitable arches and a couple of more usable doors!!!

Not uploaded any pics yet, but I'll stick a couple on here when I get round to it!!!

Done any engine conversions on the old mini's before???

[Blitz]

Why would want to do the job twice?

[DanThe]

In my experience with grp it ALWAYS moves, no matter how much prep work you do on it, looks great after just being painted, but once its weathered a bit it looks sheeite

[miniblob]

I'm not looking to do the job twice, just saying it's always there as an option if I have more funds available further down the line and the grp starts looking tired!!!

The grp front I had before was fitted by the previous owner and did a good 10 years + service and still looked good - apart from where an eejit had reversed into it and cracked the paint for me!!!

It's never going to look 100% original with me involved, so I'm not that concerned!!!

It will of course move around, but a bit of common sense can see it looked after!!! As long as it's well fitted and there's no grp on metal / paint on paint action, it should be ok!!! We'll see!!!

[miniblob]

Poor pics I know, but that's all you get for now!!!
Lots more being done, but it's coming on a bit...

[Jesus325iTouring]

Some fine work taking place there