clubman steel front end

[dogfather]

hi guys you probly know we are also doing a 79 clubman estate (and it was in a state) which has had lots of hours put into it in the last few months, the whole floor, door steps and heal board are almost all in but we are planning ahead and rather clean up or try to salvage the front panel and light surrounds, replacment is the best option but at cost thats blowing the budget. we have a new passenger wing already @ £76 and the drivers side has no issues but we have found a complete steel clubman flip front in great condition for £100...bargin... we will get atleast £60 for the new wing and probly £30 for the used one so my question is, am i correct in saying we could buy this front and rather use it for a flip i can weld it into place saving us a lot of time and money.... and also would we have to weld supports to the front of the subframe. thanks in advance guys...neale..

[DanGT]

Its a bit hard as it depends on how the flip front was made. It may be posible to use the flip front like one set of panels and reconnect in the orginal way. If you want to keep it as a flip front some exta plates etc will have to go in.

[Cooperman]

I think the construction method for a steel flip-front is quite different from the standard load-bearing front end and it seems unlikely that the design would easily lend itself to being broken down and used as replacement panels. You would need to take a close look at the flip-front before deciding, but it could prove to be more trouble than the potential saving is worth.