Which inner wing panel is best?

[Gary Schulz]

In the process of removing the complete RH inner wing panel and was wondering which is the best replacement? Looking for one that requires the least "adjustment" in order to fit.

Can anyone make a recommendation based on their experience?

Removing the inner wing from a car with minor accident damage in this area is a bit of a nightmare because it is nearly impossible to find all those spot welds in the folded metal!

Cutting off chunks at a time as I make my way toward the door.

20201205_063141.jpg

[trevorhp]

Hi Gary
Just fitted a Heritage panel to an undamaged car and it was pretty good.
I also had a panel off ebay from the guy in Spain, no better but still ok I will be using it in the future.
Hope this helps
Trevor
Edited to correct country

[Daz1968]

I think only heritage or nos is available for full inner wing, I have fitted both sides with a heritage panel on my mk2, fitted ok although lh side needed some adjustment,

[Gary Schulz]

OK sounds like Heritage is the winner. I did have a look at the Portuguese (or is it Spanish?) vendor with OEM but it looks like they already have the inner hinge panel attached and I think I need some flexibility with that so separate panels would be preferred. That, and the total cost to get that panel here in the states is something like $650!

[Andrew1967]

If you need flexibility in the panels Gary then the Heritage is the best.
For me the OE full inner wing with inner A panel attached was a no brainer in the end (after buying the Heritage panels) as it made door fitting so much easier.
Agreed, they aren’t cheap though !

[whistler]

I read somewhere that the Heritage inner wing panels are not correct for a Mk1. Can anyone confirm this?
M-machine list an inner wing which I think has been retro modified to be correct for a Mk1. Has anyone any experience of one of those?

[bwaminispeed]

They have a stiffener pressing channel (kinda like the channels in the floor, but, flatter and wider...) in the rear part of the panel, which requires a couple of 16 inch slices, hammering flat, and, re welding, it's a real pain in the butt......

[Gary Schulz]

I read somewhere that the Heritage inner wing panels are not correct for a Mk1. Can anyone confirm this?
M-machine list an inner wing which I think has been retro modified to be correct for a Mk1. Has anyone any experience of one of those?

So M-Machine do one that is already modified for mk1 use? It would be good to know if that is available.

[Tupers]

They have a stiffener pressing channel (kinda like the channels in the floor, but, flatter and wider...) in the rear part of the panel, which requires a couple of 16 inch slices, hammering flat, and, re welding, it's a real pain in the butt......

I think you may be confusing the Heritage MK3-on panel with the MK1/2 panel here assuming you’re talking about the vertical rib that pressed in?
MK3 with rib. http://www.minispares.com/product/Clas ... o%20search

MK1/2 without rib. http://www.minispares.com/product/Clas ... o%20search




Having fitted quite a few MK1/2 inner wings including the NOS Rover panels and the NOS Spanish panels I can confidently say that new Heritage panels have the worse pressing quality of the three options.

Heritage panels tend to have much softer radius on the two 90 degree edges where the inner and outer wing meet to form the bonnet opening. This isn’t hugely noticeable once the panel’s fitted but something you should been in mind depending on what level of rivet counting accuracy you’re aiming for.
The edges of the panels can also be uneven depth and go from razor sharp to nice square cuts so they need some attention there.
As mentioned about they also have the bump in the RH wing for the MK3 fresh air heater hose inlet and MK3 Hornet fresh air eyeball vent bumps. These can be rectified fairly easily and if you have a latter MK1/2 Mini the eyeball vent bumps are there originally so aren’t a worry.
They also have the recess of the latter window wiper motor on both side which needs removing and the strengthening plates that double the thickness behind the damper bracket are the wrong shape.


For my money the Heritage panel is a good option. They do need refining but they fit well for the most part and they’re not $650!

[Gary Schulz]

I received the new RH Heritage inner wing and it does look like it will require a fair bit of work to make it look like it should. I marked up the panel showing where I think I have to either fill holes or cut out sections and replace with new "flatter" metal. I am surprised that they call this a "mk1 panel". Does my markup look about right for a 1965 mk1 S?

20201221_133229.jpg

I know I need to add the servo mounting holes and the regulator holes. The holes at the bottom of the engine bay are far too large for the small rubber buffers. I was surprised by that.

Also, my old original panel didn't have recesses where the square punch-outs are located, they are just punched into the flat panel.

I would guess that this shot of HOY is a good guide?

IMG_6757.JPG

Need to make that new stiffener plate and replace the one with the wrong shape as well. Now I need a spot welder too!

[whistler]

I read somewhere that the Heritage inner wing panels are not correct for a Mk1. Can anyone confirm this?
M-machine list an inner wing which I think has been retro modified to be correct for a Mk1. Has anyone any experience of one of those?

So M-Machine do one that is already modified for mk1 use? It would be good to know if that is available.

Suggest you contact Doreen at m-machine by phone and ask her. I'll be looking at the m-machine mk1 inner wing in the new year. I would assume it would be correct as it's about £30 dearer than the incorrect Heritage version.