Reproduction panel quality

[WPR678B]

I know there have been some issue's recently, but look at the difference between a genuine Leyland panel and a reproduction made in a country other than the UK.<br><br><br><br>

How do you stand any chance of getting anything in line!

[paulk]

Is it the length of the total panel? Or have they completly Horlickxed putting the bracket on?

I take it's for the pick up

[aupickup]

have you measured in between the slots on the pick up or van

i have had original panels like that that even the original one was different

[WPR678B]

The original Leyland one is spot on, as is the Henric version, (have checked them all on an un-welded original chassis back end!) but this one is miles out!
The bracket is well out of line but the whole general panel is very poor. The pressings have virtually cut through the metal and it has had sections welded into it!
Yes, it was for the pick up, and i didn't want to use the Leyland panel as i am saving that for another LONG term project that is VERY slowly on-going! <br><br>

[aupickup]

i agree the metal work is poor on these sub standard pattern parts

[jonathon]

Its a problem we face everyday I'm afraid. Its not simply a poor quality pressing but also lack of quality control.
Having spoken to the head of production of one major company, it seems that most parts are made in the far east for a rediculous price, and tointroduce quality control would double their costs. My answer , if the part is correct then I'd pay more, rather than having to charge the customer several hours in order to virtually re do the panel.
I have spoken before on why we are in this position, so I won't bore you again.

[Dean]

Sadly, you get what you are prepared to pay for. It's a philosophy I carry with me with for all purchases.

I would at least expect the parts to be functional though, this clearly isn't!

[rayofleamington]

legally, parts sold in the UK HAVE to be fit for purpose and match their description.
If a panel has chassis mount positions that don't fit a chassis, then the panel is not fit for purpose and you're entitled to a full refund. Blaming the customers and the overseas producer/s is an easy way for the supplier to shirk responsibility, but it doesn't change their legal obligation.

[Jefftav]

The panels that were used on my car were not that good and the bloke welding was always making adjustments. He reckoned that it has got worse over the years and trys to source older repair panels.

When i bought my panels I sourced them from the usual reputable suppliers and paid what was asked (Ok I might have tried to haggle a little but I am Scottish) but at the end I pay what the charges are so don't know that paying more would have got me any better panels, would the manufacturer have just taken a bigger %age of profit?

[IaininTenbury]

I've had problems getting these inner rear valences to fit too. So much, that for the last few I've done, I've made them myself rather than buy a dodgy one and make it fit.
If using the imported ones, its well worth mig welding the brackets on. One of the last ones I bought, the spot welds popped off when the body was bolted onto the chassis... Three iffy spot welds up each flange isn't really enough for an important load bearing area, and as its out of sight there no reason why a nice bead of weld up each side of the bracket would look out of place.

[taupe]

Hi

I enjoy making repair panels but if repair panels were available of the correct thickness and of reasonable fit I would happily pay what it costs to produce them. Some of the repair panels Ive found to be excellent, and some useless.

Examples of panels Ive found under thickness are the main crossmember/repair sections uk made, Front quarter floor panels uk made, main boxing plate uk made

Some of these are important structural parts and I would look for the owners club to raise these issues with the manufacturers on our behalf as lets face it most home repairers wont notice if the panels a bit thin and saves 10p in production costs.

I question whether its really the case that people wont pay for a decent panel - it saves so much time if they are good quality. Thats why people pay a premium for old stock panels such as Henric

[IaininTenbury]

I enjoy making repair panels but if repair panels were available of the correct thickness and of reasonable fit I would happily pay what it costs to produce them. Some of the repair panels Ive found to be excellent, and some useless.

Examples of panels Ive found under thickness are the main crossmember/repair sections uk made, Front quarter floor panels uk made, main boxing plate uk made

Some of these are important structural parts and I would look for the owners club to raise these issues with the manufacturers on our behalf as lets face it most home repairers wont notice if the panels a bit thin and saves 10p in production costs.

I question whether its really the case that people wont pay for a decent panel - it saves so much time if they are good quality. Thats why people pay a premium for old stock panels such as Henric

I quite agree. I only make panels that I either can't buy or can't buy decent ones of. I certainly can't compete with cheap imported panels, and sadly thats how the market works these days, in that the cheapest produced item sells, wether its really up to the job or not. By the time its part attached to the car and you're trimming and messing with it to make it fit its too late and too much inconvenience to take it back which is why, I expect few complaints (compared to quantity sold) get back to the manufacturer.
The pickup rear inner valence that started this thread, I'd be tempted to return as not suitable for the job, however the supplier will probably only sell it again to someone else rather than return it (possibly) and then you'd have to buy another one to replace it, either from the same manufacturer (there's been no choice about this recently as only that manufacture have been producing them) or from the UK manufacturer who I understand have restarted making them, though I've not bothered buying one yet. Easier when in your own workshop, to chisel off the brackets and weld them on properly in the right place and get on with the job...
Yes NOS panels do command a premium, but only among those who know. Joe Bloggs who buys a Minor to restore and is new to the scene will just shop around for the best deal, get the cheapest nastiest panels, struggle with it and maybe give up - a very sad state of affairs.

[rayofleamington]

I question whether its really the case that people wont pay for a decent panel - it saves so much time if they are good quality. Thats why people pay a premium for old stock panels such as Henric

After getting my first Henrics panels I would never buy anything else. I was very sad when they closed. I'm sure many also instisted on Henrics, so where does the rumour come from that we'll only buy cheap?

[IaininTenbury]

Yes, I was very disapointed when Henrics closed. The sort of company you could go to and they'd make you things like Series 2 floor panels rather than selling you a M1000 floor and expecting you to weld a bit in to suit the gearbox cover etc...

As for only buying cheap, I'm sure that folk on here know that cheap dosn't always = good, but if you've no idea how panels vary from manufacturer most would go for the best deal. I've had a few jobs come my way this last year where the customer has already bought the panels, before farming that part of the job out, and invariably they've been the cheapest available, and in some cases, needed extra work to fit.

[mmjosh]

its like these pattern wings half of them rot in 2-3 years

[moggyadventurer]

I have to admit I recently rebuit the side chassis on my moggy, and noted the difference in metal guage between the original and new boxing plate, to the extent that I will do a competent repair on the boxing plate in future. I have found the pattern wings a reasonable fit and tend to last about 12 years if well protected.

[martinf]

hello i am currently restoring my fiances car,and the pannels from bull motif,hadrian have so far been a very good fit,needing only minor ajustments,not much differance in price to the other pannels avalable,i have been told that some of these are from the old henric presses,whether this is the case or not im not sure but there pretty good,im going to replace the full os rear inner arch and the flange so this should be a good test! anyone else ever done one?? wondered what they were like to do??

[chickenjohn]

I have to agree with the above poster, most LMC Hadrian panels seem to be of good quality and fit pretty well.

The only one that was not so good was a 2-door sill boxing panel I recently bought that was thinner than older ones I've used. Not a disaster for late Minors as the gauge seemed to be close to original thickness on the car but as it was for a convertible restoration I used the older thicker version instead for extra strength.

The best panel I have used in recent years was the ESM rear chassis leg panel, it says "MAde in the UK" on it, fitted very well, to the correct dimensions and was of decent gauge metal.

I guess the moral of the story is don't buy the cheapest panels, the Hadrian ones aren't that expensive.