Best body panel parts

[jcsb]

Since I am in the midst of a frame off rebuilding I am wondering if I needed to replace a panel (not a section) such as a pair of front fenders (wings), who produces the best panels?
John

 

[krag50]

I also would like to know, but in my case who would have the best repair panels for sections of the aluminum front shroud?

 

[bighealeysource]

Both Kilmartin in OZ and AH Spares in UK make good panels. David Nock of British Car Specialists in CA sells the Kilmartin panels and you can go online for the AH Spares parts

 

[jcsb]

Both Kilmartin in OZ and AH Spares in UK make good panels. David Nock of British Car Specialists in CA sells the Kilmartin panels and you can go online for the AH Spares parts

I'd looked at Kilmartin, but I don't see where they sell complete fenders, hoods, and such. Just frames, smaller parts, and repair parts. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think so. Not sure how buying parts from England would go as for as delivery. I have purchase a bunch of stuff from Denis Welch, AH Spares, and others, but nothing that big.
John

 

[vette]

John, you can try Healey Surgeons in Maryland. I honestly don't know where they get their metal panels from but I have a sneaky suspision that they get them from AH Spares. They once told me not too long ago that they get a weekly delivery from England. It is my opinion that if you get a new wing for your car and it fits up well to your car the first time you are just lucky. All the suppliers that make fenders/wings and metal parts are making them off the best models that they can come up with, but it doesn't take much to get a line or edge off a smigin when you don't have the exact car there in front of you. Stop ;and think how these cars were made in the first place. Jensen Motor Pressings which I believe was Jensen's name back then, punched out these body parts and the true traditional craftsmen fitted them into jigs for welding or bolting into place. If the part didn't fit too well when they set it in there, they either grabbed another part which might fit better to start, or they used the old panel beater's traditional skills to move an edge or reshape a curved section. So what your buying today I believe is quite similar. It is highly unlikely that any of them will fit perfectly and you will have to do some fine tuning of the lines,etc to make them what you want. Dave C.

 

[rjc157]

In my opinion unless you don't have your original panels you run the risk of them not fitting these cars were virtually hand built good luck

 

[jcsb]

Thanks to all for their comments. My first thought was to do no harm to the original panels when I wanted to add the side vents. My mind has changed. I also thought of doing the louvered hood and this I think has the greatest chance of fitting.
John

 

[Jerry]

I had a louvered hood on my 100 6. Hard to keep the slats clean but the engine ran cooler. If you ever blow a radiator hose, you will know immediatly!

Jerry

 

[jcsb]

I had a louvered hood on my 100 6. Hard to keep the slats clean but the engine ran cooler. If you ever blow a radiator hose, you will know immediatly!

Jerry

Yikes, not sure hot coolant is what I'm looking for.

John