Body repair panels

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:27 am

More ramblings.

Sorry but there will be loads more to come as i start thinking about my new project ;-)

Looking around there seems to quite a few suppliers of repair panels.
The cynic inside me says that a lot will be buying them ready made (from abroad ?) and putting their label on rather than actually manufacturing themselves.
When you realise the massive amount of specialised machinery needed and the huge investment then that is going to be beyond even the biggest Morris Minor parts suppliers.
They must outsource either as owners of the panel manufacturer company , partnership or as simply as a bulk customer.
I know some panels are hand made and they aren't the type to which I'm refering.

Anyone ever collated the various parts information, compared the same part from different supplies and tried to determine who actually manufactures ?

What I'm trying to say is if "panel A" is good fit then why pay extra when it's avaliiable from different dealers - you might as well cherry pick the cheapest.
One of two panels isn't going to break the bank but, such as in my case, if you are doing a 100% restoration then the cost differences between cheapest and dearest suppliers will amount to a considerable sum - and the actual parts might come from the same manufacturing company !

On another note has anyone experience / comments on Hadrian panels ?
Personally I've used them as MOT type repair on cars and haven't any problem but never used them for a major restoration.
As plus point, about Hadrian, for me is I can get them form a local supplier rather then mail order so the postage / carriage cost are saved. Another aspect is quality - if buying in person then any duff manufacture / damage / distortion / bend / dents can be spotted straight away and a better item chosen. If mail order then you are in the hands of Royal Mail and the subsiquent hassle getting replacments.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:50 am

LMC hadrian are generally the best available for the Morris Minor. The rear chassis extension pieces are made (or at least commissioned) by ESM are very good as well.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:34 pm

Hadrian are the best I've found so far. If you want to know the ones to avoid like the plague, eithe read my blog or PM

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:31 pm

Hadrian gets good name from the Mini forums. Postage cost is a major factor - so local supply source is very important.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:42 pm

ESM post to mainland Britain for nowt when you spend over (I think) £70

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:24 pm

Its over £60, but not over 1.5kg and large items, so if you order a load of panels weighing a few kg of steel and some of them are big, then postage may apply.

I found out that my local mini spares place can do Hadrian panels for Minors, I'll give them a try.

Post by **Cam** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:31 pm

Hadrian panels can be ordered from PMF (Potteries Motor Factors). They are in Kidsgrove & Fenton.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:05 pm

most of the Minor Traders will supply Hadrian panels.
Personally I think they are poor when compared to good panels that came from Henrics.
recent ones I've had don't have drain holes in crucial places (or anywhere at all) and therefore 'not fit for purpose' however I've only found 2 choices - buy them or get 'interesting' panels from C.Wares
I've settled for the Hadrian ones as I know they normally fit ok.

Post by **jonathon** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:31 pm

The reason the Henric panels were so good was that they were nearly always hand finished and made by folk who actually used them. Hadrian took over most of their tooling, as well as that from PWB.
I agree with Ray that they are the lesser of three evils, the others being Heritage and C.Wares.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:32 am

You could allways drill drain holes into the panels. I'm thinking of plasma cutting 1/8 inch slots in the right places then using a drift/cold chisel to hammer out a drain. LMC hadrian arent that bad, they are made of thick guage (often thicker than the car) and fit well with little adjustment. Certainly less time consuming than making your own panels ;)

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:55 pm

You could allways drill drain holes into the panels

I certainly do, but I've seen too many that have not - I've had to replace sopme of these myself when they've rotted in a few years so this really grates on my nerves