Morris Minor Owners Club

hi there , this is the first time i have written on here having just joined. I have a 1963 4 door saloon and my hubby is doing a full restoration, and have come up with a problem on the inner rear wing, the old inner wing has been cut out and a new one welded in, the only probled is that the new wing has a lot lesser radius than the old one so it dos'nt pull into the rear vertical seat squab is there a supplier that can supply a inner wing that has the more curved radius more like the old type. [/list]

In short no, I'm afraid. These panels are appalling and should not be sold as fit for purpose in my opinion.
We have recently replaced all inner wings on a two door saloon and it took 3 days per wing to cut and fabricate something near to the original. I suggest that you use the old wing where you have the problem and grsft it into the 'new' repair panel. Then write a letter of complaint to the supplier, or better still the manufacturer.
We see this and similar problems with panels every day, and are now fed up with the shoddy products we recieve. Only my complaining will anything be done about this.
We are talking with a major manufacturer of car panels, to try and produce better quality panel work, but its early days and a few companies need to be brought on board to speed up the process.
Sorry you have encountered problems. But always measure and tack into place before final welding, makes resolving the issues so much easier.

so will this mean at long last that we will see some decent panels.
what about LCV`S

I'm breaking a moggy thousand saloon, do you have a picture of the affected area? I may be able to cut out the steel on mine so you can use it as a repair panel for yours.

AU, as we will be employing existing but at present under or non used tooling then I hope all minor types will be catered for

Can't wait to see them. I do believe I may have given my thoughts on pattern panels before...

I do believe I may have given my thoughts on pattern panels before.

Once or twice Andrew

If it doesn't meet the vertical seat squab, then an idea for a fix might be to extend the part of the seat squab/ boot firewall to meet the new panel. This piece is flat with a flange (from memory) and would be easier to modify to fit the new inner wing than making up double curvature bits or modifying the inner wing.

but I agree, the panels should be better, although most are workable.

Post a photo of the problem area!

The problem is more involved than just the incorrect radius at the point of the ends of the rear fire wall. These dreadfull panels are made up it seems from the rear arch repair panel (the best bit) but the length of steel to take in the arch of the wing is about 2" too short. Add to this the shape of the front end and your only chance to achieve a descent repair is to chop the damn thing into about 5 pieces, use the original arch as a template , panel beat the arch correctly and piece it all back together. This is on a panel that is the better part of £100. Its a scandal, but *the company* who produce a very acceptable alternative seem oblivious to the needs of both the DIY'r and the trade.


*modded by Andrew pending advice. Sorry

I might make some up on the English wheel at college! Or it might be better to repair what is left of the original panel.

I'll go along with that John! We did at the time of doing 4 inner wings think about buying an English wheel to do our own. Might still do just that, or pay for one to go to Srilanka to get a proper job done.

Yes, I made a repair section for the front part of the inner wing of the current project- beat the shape out on a sand bag, then smoothed it on the wheel. -(compared it to a fibreglass mould I made of the shape of the inner wing to get the shape right).It does take a long time to become really proficient with it though, but these sections are a good chance to get better on the wheel.

Who's panels are they Jonothan? PM me please.

hi all, this is daisymay's hubby . I am making a new posting about the inner wingproblem as my wife dosn't really understand what your all saying so this way all the details will come straight back to me
many thanks dusty fog