A question about lowlights

[GeorgeHurst]

Hello all,

I'm just wondering about Lowlight front body panels... is the bonnet the same as the later cars with the wings and front panel being different, or are all the panels including the bonnet different to the later cars?

Cheers
George

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

The bonnet is different as well, its known as a short bonnet[frame][/frame]hopefully you can make out the bit in the picture between the back edge of the bonnet and the door. This bonnet was used for a very short time with the highlight wings.

[GeorgeHurst]

Aha, thanks David, I can indeed see the difference at the bulkhead. Is the front essentially the same though, i.e. where it meets the chrome griller finisher? Presumably it is if these bonnets were used with the highlights for a time?

[mike.perry]

The bonnet, hinges, inner wings, bumpers and grill are all different. The highlight wings were introduced to the N. American market in 1949 and the home market, 1st on the 4 door, then on the 2 door/tourer in 1950/51.
The short bonnet and inner wings stayed until the end of '51.

[GeorgeHurst]

Thanks Mike for that detailed response. I was interested because I saw a pick up advertised the other day which was a later model, with the front end 'converted' to lowlight panels. I wondered whether they had just exchanged panels or whether it some engineering had been involved.
Not something I am looking to do but it was a nice job and looked quite unusual

[mike.perry]

There are a few later cars and LCVs converted to lowlight front ends and one or two cars with a lowlight grill and high light wings. John Frye's S11 is one.

[GeorgeHurst]

Oh right, I'll keep my eyes out, I do like the lowlight look I must say

[leyther8008]

Its an easy swap if you can find the panels and headlight rims, my conversion only took a day to do the only cutting involved was to the inner wings to fit the headlight shroud panels and a bit of a trim to the front bumper valence.
My wings are fibreglass from a well known supplier who frequents this forum a certain mister Heaps, but you can get steel ones now from another well known panel supplier.
The front panel is a genuine old stock low light front though.
She has certanly fooled a couple of people at shows as they seem to think there was a van version made, completely ignoring the fact that theres no split screen or that she's an Austin and caries a 'k' registration

[GeorgeHurst]

Nice conversion, looks very tidy. So did you use the later bonnet as fitted as standard to your car and just changes the wings and front panel?

[bmcecosse]

You really can't use the early bonnet on a later bodyshell - well - not without massive modifications!

[GeorgeHurst]

Seems like leyther8008 has done so with some success though no?

[bmcecosse]

No - he has only used wings and front panel - not bonnet. I've corrected the typo in earlier post - which should have said 'bonnet' ! And I do agree - it looks good! But - may not be legal on that age of vehicle with the headlights so low.

[GeorgeHurst]

aha I see
Interesting point on the legality - I suppose though it would have to be a very well informed copper to know that the lack of splitscreen means it was not originally a lowlight!

[leyther8008]

Legal by an eigth of an inch! according to my tester. Mind you I think the torsion bars have settled a little from when I did it.

[GeorgeHurst]

haha, excellent

[bmcecosse]

Crikey! Well done!

[moggie-tom]

For those of you that have the book 'Morris Minor - The Official Photo Album' on page 44 there is a picture of a rally Minor that is both a highlight and a lowlight.

With 'highlight' wings combined with a 'lowlight' front panel, the driver at least had a neatly integrated four-lamp lighting system to combat the rain and fog...