Quarter panel question

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java gt
998 Cooper
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Quarter panel question

Post by java gt »

I have bought two M Machine quarter panels to replace the ones on my MKI and they don't come with the vertical lip along the lower window ledge that is spot welded onto the waist rail and holds the rubber window seal.I have seen Heritage ones being used on MKI and my question is would I be better off fitting the return to the M Machine ones and using them or fitting the Heritage ones given they have to be cut and welded at the B post all down the the outer panel as they are not MKI specific.
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dodge44
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Re: Quarter panel question

Post by dodge44 »

It's a problem because the distance from the quarter light seal lip to the outside edge varies along it's length from front to back and the Mk3 panel is wider. I fitted a Mk3 panel many moons ago as that was all that was available and had to effectively re-bend the lip to 'narrow' the panel down. So it can be made to fit but was a right faff fettling and constantly referring to the other integral side to get the width right. Also critical you get the window aperture spot on by trial fitting the glass as you go along. Any minor error here and it will never seat right and soon split the frame. Did surprise me when I looked into it that the M-machine Mk1 panel didn't include this area as it's a regular area of rot but guess the tooling costs are prohibitive.

Roger
Daz1968
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Re: Quarter panel question

Post by Daz1968 »

I went for mk3 rear quarters and butt welded behind the b post, worked out ok, I didn’t fancy joining the m machine one as would probably ended up with a change in door fit, also mine were rotten on rear quarter window flange so would have needed patching there anyway, I used magnum quarters though and had no fitment issues at all, they just needed a little bit of persuasion to align correctly with flange on rear panel, this was easily done with a clamp though before spot welding
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Andrew1967
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Re: Quarter panel question

Post by Andrew1967 »

I used a genuine Mk3 BL and a Mk3 Heritage quarter on HOY and didn't have any problems with the lip under the side window.

Joined just behind the B post as Daz did, to retain the correct Mk1 door aperture profile.

Would recommend fitting the side windows to make sure the gaps are OK before welding etc.
java gt
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Re: Quarter panel question

Post by java gt »

Thanks for the info.Looks like 6 of one and half a dozen with the other so I think I'll stick with the M Machines ones seeing as I have them already.
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