Apex, or 'A' Panel Alignment
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2024 10:44 am
I'm fitting new apex panels to my 1960 Mini. Luckily, as it has an inner apex panel, I can align the leading edges with the inner panel. The challenge comes with the trailing edge that aligns with the door.
I want the trailing edge to align with the door so that they are level in the horizontal plane. Here's where it gets tricky.
To align the apex panel with the door, I have to fit the panel and then the door. With the door fitted, I cannot adjust the apex panel.
I've thought of getting it roughly right, tacking it in place, then fitting the door, checking fit, removing door, removing tacks, adjusting as necessary, re-tacking, trying again.
But as I'm sure you can imagine, this doesn't sound like the best way to work.
I know that the apex panel is normally part of the door pillar repair panel and so, the width of the apex panel trailing edge must be standard. If I could replicate this then maybe it's just a case of adjusting the door?
My question: Does anyone know what the width of the trailing edge is and whether it is a consistent along it's entire vertical length? I've added an image with the section I'm talking about highlighted in virulent green
Better still, does anyone have advice on how to fit a new apex panel and achieve success aligning with the door?
Please note that the image is of the door pillar panel. I just have the much cheaper apex panel
I want the trailing edge to align with the door so that they are level in the horizontal plane. Here's where it gets tricky.
To align the apex panel with the door, I have to fit the panel and then the door. With the door fitted, I cannot adjust the apex panel.
I've thought of getting it roughly right, tacking it in place, then fitting the door, checking fit, removing door, removing tacks, adjusting as necessary, re-tacking, trying again.
But as I'm sure you can imagine, this doesn't sound like the best way to work.
I know that the apex panel is normally part of the door pillar repair panel and so, the width of the apex panel trailing edge must be standard. If I could replicate this then maybe it's just a case of adjusting the door?
My question: Does anyone know what the width of the trailing edge is and whether it is a consistent along it's entire vertical length? I've added an image with the section I'm talking about highlighted in virulent green
Better still, does anyone have advice on how to fit a new apex panel and achieve success aligning with the door?
Please note that the image is of the door pillar panel. I just have the much cheaper apex panel