Front Panel

[whistler]

Does anybody except maybe m-machine make the correct front panel for a 66 mk1. The m-machine catalogue show drawings, not the actual panel so the real thing might be different. I reaaly hate paying a lot of momey for a panel and it needs altering
Mine has the lower skirt cut outs, thin number plate brackets and both side vents are solid.
The Heritage ones have the wider, later, numberplate brackets and also the LH grill side vent is open.

[Daz1968]

As far as I am aware m machine modify what I believe is a magnum panel. It fits well and probably only one that is supplied modified, you could purchase a magnum or heritage panel and modify it yourself.
Only issue with all panels is the indicator plinths are not correct but m machine can supply correct ones and they can be grafted into the new panel, they didn’t supply panels with them already installed when I bought mine, not sure if this has changed now.
As you have the original panel doing it yourself is not to bad and you can use your indicator plinths and number plate brackets.

[woodypup59]

I think the M Machine panel is a modified Heritage item with inserts to create the full skirt.

IIRC the indicator mounts aren't quite right either.

The top rail wont have the correct square bumps.

But its better than nothing !

[whistler]

The Heritage front panel is about £213 from Minspares, m-machine list their front panel at £126 so I guess it's not a heritage one. I'll have to ask Doreen about it next time I order.

[whistler]

As far as I am aware m machine modify what I believe is a magnum panel. It fits well and probably only one that is supplied modified, you could purchase a magnum or heritage panel and modify it yourself.
Only issue with all panels is the indicator plinths are not correct but m machine can supply correct ones and they can be grafted into the new panel, they didn’t supply panels with them already installed when I bought mine, not sure if this has changed now.
As you have the original panel doing it yourself is not to bad and you can use your indicator plinths and number plate brackets.

I wish I did have the one in the picture. I cut it all off and dumped it. Had no idea there were so many problems with mk1 panels. You see them advertised and think, that's great, they do the right panel for my mini....wrong.

Thanks for the info.

[whistler]

I think the M Machine panel is a modified Heritage item with inserts to create the full skirt.

IIRC the indicator mounts aren't quite right either.

The top rail wont have the correct square bumps.

But its better than nothing !

I don't have the full skirts, it's too 'new' for them. Cutouts on both sides.

[woodypup59]

The Heritage front panel is about £213 from Minspares, m-machine list their front panel at £126 so I guess it's not a heritage one. I'll have to ask Doreen about it next time I order.

Anyway the quality of Heritage panels is terrible.

Despite their claims that nobody complains, I know people who have complained, and have had refunds, or extra panels in recompense.

I've found its not so much the individual components that are poor, its the assemblies. Some one must have dropped the assembly jigs.

I've just had to take a clubman front panel apart (6 pieces) as it was 1/2" different in width and height from side to side.

Ditto with a front windscreen / scuttle / cant rail assembly.

[harrymini]

M-machine use a magnum panel as a 'donor'

[whistler]

M-machine use a magnum panel as a 'donor'

Thanks for that.

Your experience with Heritage panels is not a rarity. I've heard other complaints about certain panels that they do but the alternative is Magnum and their reputation is even worse.

[Dr.Mabo]

Reputation is one point of view, experiance and personal judgement is another.

10 or more years ago I would have basically choose heritage. Meanwhile there are only very few panels left I buy from heritage. Currently I buy most of my panels from Magnum and some special panels from M-Machine. This dosn't mean heritage quality has dropped significantly, it means more the others (basicaly Magnum) has developed to the better.

At my actual project I use about 75% Magnum panels.

The basic question is, what do one expect. Different expectations usually leads to problems.

so long
the Doc