MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Need some advice on where to purchase body panels for my son's B. It got hit in the rear the other day, and the body shops around here won't even try to look for replacements. I've looked at VB and Moss, but they seem a little high.
Thanks
Jeff
Turin2000 Wrote:
Yes, definitely get BMH panels. Check with the Roadster Factory. They are currently running a sale on sheet metal so you might can save some money.
If you compare the price for new MGB sheet metal to any other current manufacture (Ford, GM, Toyota), you will see they are a bargain!
Ron
Of course everything is relative. Expensive?
Well take a piece of metal and try to fabricate it on your own for the price of a panel to save some $.
I bet after 10 minutes you will be glad to pay for panels made to original specifications on the original tooling, shipped across the pond and delivered.
The panels, even at their apparent high price, is still a freaking bargain.
The other way to go is used, find some good used panels off ebay or a local MG car club.
Or go to an MG boneyard (they are out there)and get the parts off an existing car, repain any rust damaage, and use those
Paul,
You're mistaken about these parts being a bargain. The market is pretty limited and captive, so the suppliers gouge us. For the sake of comparison, a complete set of aftermarket panels for the front of my daughter's Civic (two fenders, hood, lower front panel, emblems, etc.) were well under $300. A front fender for a GM pickup truck is well under $100. I submit that we get gouged because we let suppliers take the extra money we willingly part with. Further, I fail to see what's so special about getting parts made by the 'original tooling'. I am sure that those tools are pretty worn from over 4 decades of use. A set of modern tools usung composite tooling resin technology would not be that expensive to make...
Have you compared the Moss price for a fender, hood, etc. between the MGA, MGB, TR6 and AH 3000? I think you'll find the MGB is pretty cheap.
I think alot of this depends on how much work you plan to do yourself, how much you are willing to pay and how much you value your time. All thre reccomendations above are valid, boneyard etc.
Like Paul says its all relative.
But if your doing the work Id recommend 'heritage' for quality and fit of the panel. The job will be alot easier. If you want something more challenging, Id source out parts from a boneyard etc restore, then fit.
Mark
scotabbott Wrote:
Scott, you are comparing apples to oranges. First, Asian American panels are being produced and shipped out in much higher numbers than any Brit make. Secondly, like Paul, I won't put a made in Mexico pos panel on my Chevy trucks. The best you can say about them is that they have a vague resemblance to an original. The door latches are even worse; the catch to hold the lock tumbler in place is cast over.
But the real issue is that Brit panels aren't just stamped. I have a box of bug eye panel pieces sitting in the living room right now. It is amazing to see that such small parts of the larger car are stamped, then welded together before being shipped out. That takes time and tooling. And how much of a market is there for bug eye panels?
If he got hit, isn't the other guy paying? Get heritage panels. The other insurance company wont blink at the price. If the other party had no insurance then consider used panels as they will fit well and may just need some rust treatment before fitting.
scotabbott Wrote:
try Bob at Brit-Tek. I got a front fender from him thats BMH.
Thanks to all. It's been 20 years since I've even had to worry about this kind of stuff, so your information is more than welcome. I have never priced replacement panels before, so I thought they were a little high. Maybe not
Thanks
Jeff