Mk 1 Lower Front Wing Repair Sections

[Northern Lightsman]

1996 NA Gleneagles Special Edition
I need to repair both lower front wings adjacent to the door leading edge.
I have not found any parts specialist able to supply repair section panels and I do not want to go to the expense and trouble of fitting entire new front wings both sides.
Can anyone offer suggestions ?
I gather that one of the major parts suppliers is investigating having the relevant repair sections made and supplied from China, but the current world situation has rather stymied that possibility for the time being.
All help appreciated.

[bmv6197]

I realise you said you didn’t want to replace the whole wings, but given the lack of options that you’ve already discovered, and the lack of replies on here, my guess is that full wing replacement is going to be inevitable.

Only other option I can think of is that if I recall from some time back, the MX5 Restorer had fibreglass lower wing panels that replaced everything below the bodyline crease under the turn signal. It depends on if that is the section you’re looking to repair, and if you want a slightly different look (they taper into the wheel arch more aggressively).

One question - aside from the cost of paint - why are you against full wing replacement? It’s a no-welding, bolt-off-bolt-on job (or more realistically a bolt-shear-off-drill-out-bolt-retap-hole-bolt-on job!). But surely easier than cutting and welding new panel sections in, then manipulating filler to get a decent finish, then having to blend paint in... Just curious.

Good luck!

B.

[Oldandslow]

I think that's probably the case. When you can bolt on a whole wing it's not worth the fabrication time of welding in a repair panel. Unlike the rear quarters.

You could try Mx5 Restorers. They'd be able to give advice perhaps. I checked their store and they do panels but not those.

[Orcadian]

To do a long lasting proper job you really should remove the wing anyway - just to get access to the corners. A good restorer worth the name should be able to make and let in repair sections and even lead load and block down the result prior to painting but it would be likely to cost the same as a replacement. BUT you could then guarantee a good fit and keep (more or less) the originality on your quite rare vehicle.

Ian

[Northern Lightsman]

Many thanks for the replies, advice and opinions guys.
Much appreciated.
My initial resistance to replacing both front wings complete was that of repainting and colour matching to the original, unusual, specification.
However I seem to have pursuaded myself that as the bonnet (stone chips etc) and boot lid (slight scratching from the Mazda factory stainless steel rack) would benefit from repainting, then a total respray might well be advisable in order to do a proper job.
More research needed.
All part of life's rich tapestry.