front panel identification help please

[Nick W]

I have these two front panels ,and want to use one for my 66 cooper s project .one has the small number plate brackets ,the other has holes where the grille goes .Not sure if either panel are genuine or just old repro nos.but which one would you use and what are the modifications needed apart from the obvious angle stiffner?

[IAIN]

The top picture is more correct it would of had thin plate brackets. I think both look genuine.

The top picture looks like it has brown primer which would be correct for that time.

The second panel with the holes, I don't remember any non genuine panels with them, its got the remains of a label on the right hand side which is the correct shape for British leyland age and the correct colour.

[Nick W]

The top picture is more correct it would of had thin plate brackets. I think both look genuine.

The top picture looks like it has brown primer which would be correct for that time.

The second panel with the holes, I don't remember any non genuine panels with them, its got the remains of a label on the right hand side which is the correct shape for British leyland age and the correct colour.

Thanks Iain
That's helpfull ,I agree the one with the holes might be genuine ,the top one is quite rusty so not sure about the colour primer! . I suppose at the end of the day it will depend on which fits best.......

[Tupers]

The 2nd one looks like a Magnum panel to me.

[rich@minispares.com]

the lower panel isn't a magnum one, it has too many holes in it (and ive stabbed my legs on so many of them over the years putting them into stock I have a good eye for them!)

I think its a genuine one, but from the 1970's /1980's, some cars had red plastic plugs in those two large holes, it was (I think) at the same time that they had the plastic plugs in the wings for the headlamp buckets.

(in fact, I think my 1969 mk2 has one fitted, must check!)

[InimiaD]

My RSP has the red plugs as well.

[IAIN]

My RSP has the red plugs as well.

the red plugs seem to start when the mk2 grille came in. They were still there on the rsp. I think it probably stopped about 1991 when the internal release grille started.

For what its worth I think the hole is to allow the top fixing screw on the grille end corner to clear the front panel. At that time the ends were fitted with 4 or 5 ? screws after the grille was screwed to the front panel.

[Simon776]

Could the top one could be Innocenti or Australian with those number plate brackets?

[Goldbrocade_62]

Could the top one could be Innocenti or Australian with those number plate brackets?

Nope we never had the cutout behind the grille

[Pete]

Certainly doesn't look like an original UK market factory panel.

[360gts]

Hi Nick
I would use the first one
These are some pics from a heritage panel I just finished...lots of mods to bring it to 65 specs.
The black arrows show all of the mods etc.
Hope this helps.

[360gts]

Hi Nick
I would use the first one
These are some pics from a heritage panel I just finished...lots of mods to bring it to late 64/65 specs.
Your 66 will probably have the cut outs on the bumper lip...depending on the month it was built. Near as I could determine...this was a change that happened in 66..ish!
The black arrows show all of the mods etc.
Hope this helps.

[Nick W]

Hi Nick
I would use the first one
These are some pics from a heritage panel I just finished...lots of mods to bring it to 65 specs.
The black arrows show all of the mods etc.
Hope this helps.

Hi Dermott
So if I use the top one , it looks like I only need to remove the hole behind the grille ,I suppose you used one of your unrestored cars to confirm the changes needed?
Nick

[360gts]

Hi Nick
Yes, used bits from an old rust bucket here.
The number plate brackets need to moved..looks like an Ozzie front...
I can't tell if the indicator area is M1 or not...I had to change all of that...used old ones from the rust bucket...I think M Machine sell these light panels.
The slam panel is different...look closely at the lower lip in the grille area...I changed that too.
Think you are off to a better start than I was with the Heritage front.
Remove the vent piece and make a new blank....

[360gts]

Hi Nick
Yes, used bits from an old rust bucket here.
The number plate brackets need to moved..looks like an Ozzie front...
I can't tell if the indicator area on your panel is M1 or not...loks like the later style...I had to change all of that...used old ones from the rust bucket...I think M Machine sell these light panels on special order.
The slam panel is different...look closely at the lower lip in the grille area...I changed that too.
Think you are off to a better start than I was with the Heritage front.
Remove the vent piece and make a new blank....
It is a lot of tedious work but I can assure you....it is well worth it.
When you finish all the mods you will stand back and see an early MK front end.
Some wonder why we go to such extremes!!!
I think it is worth all the effort when you are restoring a classic.

I even made my own sills...used the flutes from an old car....spot welded them in...looks great. The flutes on the replacement sills are just not the right shape.
Was fortunate that the floor of this project I am working on right was fairly good. I made new wells and welded them in. The replacement floor panels do not have the same well area as the originals...also, the flutes are not the same either.

[jaknight]

360gts---your MK 1 front panel "remanufacture" looks great! Yes, I agree with you that it is worth the effort when restoring a classic!!

I am the USA and am restoring a May 1965 built Cooper S and would like to keep the Mini looking original as possible. The front panel is in need of some tender loving care.
I purchased what I thought ( and WAS TOLD ) was a "true" Heritage produced MK 1 front panel and it turns out that the panel is a MK 1, 2, 3 panel.
The stampings and cut outs will fit all three MK's. There are many discrepancies!
I emailed M-Machine 12 days ago--no answer.
Can any one tell me if MK 1 front panels from M-Machine or another company are "true" to the originals without the additional cut outs, larger raised area for turn signals, correct slam panel and vertical bar or any thing else that I may be missing???

Jim Knight

[rich@minispares.com]

jim

the ones mini machine produce can be considered to be the nearest possible to an original.

without finding a new old stock bmc panel you are not going to get a panel that's 100% correct - they are just so many variants and tiny changes it would be financially impossible for a small company to tool up to press them all.

[360gts]

360gts---your MK 1 front panel "remanufacture" looks great! Yes, I agree with you that it is worth the effort when restoring a classic!!

I am the USA and am restoring a May 1965 built Cooper S and would like to keep the Mini looking original as possible. The front panel is in need of some tender loving care.
I purchased what I thought ( and WAS TOLD ) was a "true" Heritage produced MK 1 front panel and it turns out that the panel is a MK 1, 2, 3 panel.
The stampings and cut outs will fit all three MK's. There are many discrepancies!
I emailed M-Machine 12 days ago--no answer.
Can any one tell me if MK 1 front panels from M-Machine or another company are "true" to the originals without the additional cut outs, larger raised area for turn signals, correct slam panel and vertical bar or any thing else that I may be missing???

Jim Knight

Hi Jack
Good luck with M Machine. I never did get anything from them..tried numerous times..phoned them..talked to them...promised to get back to me...never did.

Yes, the Heritage panels are a bit of let down! No 'true' panels that I have found.
Slam panels are nothing like a MK1....best if you can use the bits from your existing front and weld them into a heritage front panel.

Good to start with but require a lot of modifications.
As you see from my front end...wasn't a lot left of the original front.
It is a good panel to start with as it fits fairly well and will act as a good jig when restoring the front of your car.
Good luck with M Machine.