Front wings/fenders

[jbenajes]

Hello.

 

A friend of mine, who is presently restoring a TR3A originally delivered to Spain, is in need of the two front wings/fenders (yes, rust is a problem in Southern cars, too).

 

Can you recommend some source for these parts? My friend is ready to import from UK or USA, so the location should not be a problem.

 

As far as I remember having read, the quality and finish of the wings/fenders depends very much on the dealer. Do those panels have the captive nuts already welded on?

 

Any assistance on this subject will be highly appreciated.

 

Jesus

[jbenajes]

Searching by myself, I have met the web page of North Devon Metalcraft ( www.ndmetal.co.uk) where they offer a surprisingly broad choice of panels for our cars, even in aluminium, at very reasonable prices.

 

I wrote them an email inquiring about some details, but have not got a response yet.

 

Has somebody some experience with this company and their products?

 

Thanks.

 

Jesus

[BrianC]

Search the forum for comments on NDM, talk to them and then make up your own mind.

 

Although NDM seem to be one of the main manufacturers, I took advice prior to having my TR3A rebuilt and also spoke to them myself before deciding to go elsewhere.

 

There are very few manufacturers of TR panels, especially for sidescreen cars. I suggest you talk to some of the specialists who actually restore cars, as they can tell you which panels are best from the various manufacturers.

 

In the end, my car was rebuilt by TRGB and we managed to salvage both the nearside (LHS) wings with extensive repairs.

Unfortunately, the other wings were not economically repairable (although a skilful home restorer with plenty of spare time could have reclaimed them). TRGB chose to fit a reproduction front wing (not sure which manufacturer) but these need a lot of work to fit, regardless of who makes them. However, they thought all the rear wings available were poor and managed to find a restorable wing from a US car.

 

I think the perceived wisdom on sidescreen panels is to try to either restore what you have or try to source parts from a rust-free car (preferably all panels from the same car), even though they may need work - many re-imported US cars have accident damaged panels with loads of filler.

 

Failing this, make sure you have a very, VERY good body man with a low labour-rate

Edited March 12, 2008 by BrianC

[Menno van Rij]

Failing this, make sure you have a very, VERY good body man with a low labour-rate

 

I am sure that this is the way to go. I had my TR in the body shop last Autumn. After blasting an scraping, my (ex)USA car unveiled two back aprons welded on to of each other and a bucket full or filler. The body man had to weld in some new panels. Their fit was lousy (not using stronger language on this fine forum, but...) and in the end he had to alter their shape to get things fitting in the car. We're talking repro panels here from a well respected UK seller with a Dutch branche. The body guy even had some items sent back and made his own using card board templates, knowing that his own work would be less expensive and the quality of the materials used would be significantly better.

 

The bill was hefty, to say the least. Hours of labour needed to get things to fit properly. Buying a second TR and use parts of that car is not an option imho: most TRs suffer the same problems: sills, filler etc. I think that a old school body guy with 'golden hands' (is the Dutch expression for a man who's very skilled) is the most desired solution: a job well done with decent materials.

 

Menno

[Don Elliott]

In 1987 when I started the restoration of my 1958 TR3A, I bought a MIG welder, took night school training and repaired all the body panels that came with my car. I had driven the car in Canadian winters for 8 salty, slushy, snowy winters and there were holes just about everywhere. I had heard - even back then - that the repro panels wouldn't fit without a lot of work. I found that it was lots of work, but I learned a lot and the price was right. I had to replace about 40 cages for the captive nuts and I repaired the fenders using butt welds so no-one can see where the new sheetmetal is. I had a machine shop make new captive nuts 1/4-28 UNF for me out of stainless steel and all my body panels are secured with stainless hardware.