repair panels

[parahandy 15]

Looking at the repair panels I have bought, there see to be 2 makes..Hadrian and Henrik (sp?) .
Are they both UK made panels ? What about the quality..(neither appears to be a good fit and need a bit of precision adjustment ).

[jagnut66]

Hi,
From what I've read all reproduction panels require 'adjustment to fit' these days.
The two you mention used to have a good reputation but I don't think either are with their original owners anymore....
Be prepared to 'tweak' whatever you end up buying.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[ManyMinors]

Most repair panels will need some work /adjustment to fit. That is in the nature of a repair panel. If the panels you purchased were manufactured by Henric and Hadrian, you must either have bought them a long time ago, or bought them from somebody else who did as neither company exist any more. Both were respected UK firms who manufactured a good range of panels for Morris Minors.

[parahandy 15]

The henrics were bought from ESM, about a month ago.
I was not complaining about the quality . My original question was "are they both UK made panels? " (I was referring to the Hadrian as well).

What I should have asked was "How does a potential purchaser know if panels are UK made ,as is often claimed"

Sorry for any confusion. Cheers

[ManyMinors]

Henric was the name used by the Vincent Family who manufactured a good range of Morris Minor panels in Nottingham. They particularly specialised in panels for the van and pick-up. When they ceased trading I seem to recall that their tooling, drawings etc were sold to a larger panel company called LMC either before of after their own takeover by Hadrian. LMC had also produced a good range of Morris Minor panels.

Later still, I think Hadrian also ceased trading. I don't believe they ever produced many panels from the tooling purchased from Henric and the Henric name became largely forgotten. Hadrian's tooling for their range of Morris Minor panels was sold and is being used to produce the range of panels sold by ESM and others. Seemingly they have decided to use the old names of "Hadrian" and Henric" again. ESMs website states that the panels are indeed produced in the UK so there is no reason to doubt this. Having used a few of ESMs panels in the past I feel that the quality of the steel used as well as the general fit and finish is superior to that of the imported panels available.

[parahandy 15]

That's what I was wanting to know, I have been buying some panels recently ,and while I was happy with the quality of steel etc. I wondered if UK made panels were generally a better fit , or was it usually necessary to modify them a bit to get them fitted. !

Thanks for a very useful and comprehensive answer. Off now to do a bit of metal bashing.! Cheers