Practically Classics Forum

I haven't got long to think about this as the auction ends tomorrow afternoon.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0671756602
Will it fit "WITH A LITTLE MODIFICATION TO THE HEADLIGHT OPENING" as the seller claims.
My car is a Series VI Gazelle which looks the same shape as the Minx. As you can see the front wing is slightly worse for wear.

I would appreciate any input and suggestions.

Not that sure - but does look likely that with minor mods it would fit - why not take a punt - if it is totally different you could do the same as the present vendor - back on E Bay (or in to storage for another 50 years) is there no one on the owners club forum that knows ? or would you rather keep it quiet that one is coming up for grabs!

I could have it wrong, but think that the wing shewn is for one of these:


In which case it doesn't share a single contour with your later car.
Another view of that:

Yes I think you're right John.
I think I'll leave it then.

Good suggestion GN but I've already accumulated too much "junk", according to her that must be obeyed.

Thanks
Karl

Looking at the wing on your car; it appears quite sound in that picture, so would it perhaps be better to make repairs by letting in fresh steel to the areas that need them?

I'd have a go at repairing the wing, repair panels are available from Alpine West Midlands, There is a couple of wings on eBay at the moment, listed under Sunbeam, Buy It Now £150, they will need mods to front indicator/side light area.

John Simpson

I'm surprised just how good your wings are! I'd take John's advice and get repair panels in PDQ though; he just beat me to the post, I was going to suggest making your own repair panels! I had a '65 Minx (Series IV) with really rotten front wings - mostly filler - it would be about eight years old at the time, so they obviously rust quickly if not cared for!

There was a spate of "accidents" hereabouts in the late 60's/early 70's with Minxes and variations - the wings were rotten and the inner wings and chassis weren't up to supporting the rest of the front end. They ended up with the front end "folding" and the front floor hitting the road! Mind you, "a spate" in these parts is two or more!

Nice car though - yours brings back memories of my Minx and one of father's churchwardens, who had a few of them. Mine was one that I regret having to sell (it just wouldn't keep running!) and I'd have another if I could "cope" with a classic car (three tractors are one too many)!

The suggestion of using repro panels from Alpine West Midlands is OK but when I ordered the rear edge panel for the front wing of my Rapier it took over FIFTEEN weeks from order to delivery and then needed an awful lot of fettling. The original delivery was quoted as three/four weeks and even allowing for shipping to France the wait was excessive.

Have you tried Mac's Factors for repair panels? I don't think they do complete wings though.

Thanks for all the replies.

It's the top of the wing I was concerned about, and as my welding skills are somewhere between paltry and non-existent I'm going to have to spend a bit of money on this bit.
Suggestions as to how best to repair this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mr Simpson but Alpine West Midlands is the last company I would approach for parts (there is a thread specifically dedicated to their uselessness), they don't seem to stock many parts themselves anyway, they apparently source them from other suppliers then pass them on after adding their margin.

Cheers Pete, I have got a Jiffy bag full of bits from Mac's Factors sitting on my mantelpiece (exhaust brackets, dashboard switches, etc.), they are a fantastic source of all kind of obscure and wonderful parts.