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MG MGB Technical - Front Fenders--Tasker Metal Products

Hi all,

I realize that Heritage panels are the best fit available, however they are incredibly expensive.

Has anyone ever used Tasker Metal Products (TMP) front fenders on a B GT?

If so, are they a fairly good fit, or are they fairly poor as other aftermarket ones seem to have a reputation for being?

Thanks,
Julian
Julian Dufour

Julian,

I have no experience with Tasker Metal. When I did a restoration on our B/GT (1995) my local supplier had one (right-hand) SteelCraft, and one (left-hand) Rover (now Heritage) front (wings) fenders. Both seemed to be the same "gauge" metal, although I didn't measure them.

For whatever reason the SteelCraft actually fit better. The one visible problem were the predrilled holes for the headlight (bucket) assembly on the Rover one which I corrected prior to painting. Whichever you decide on I suggest pre fitting all components prior to painting.

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mgb-and-gt-forum.1/steelcraft-uk-replacement-panels-what-is.3821336/

Regards,

Larry C.
LC

Others have made the same comment i.e. pre-fitting everything before paint, and that Heritage panels aren't as good as you may think they should be.
paulh4

I believe that Steelcraft are now part of BMH.
Dave O'Neill 2

If you follow that MGE link and the links there, Steelcraft are stocked and distributed by BMH as non-OE panels, but are manufactured by Taylor Pressform Ltd. Steelcraft don't supply anywhere near as many body parts as BMH, in some case only repair sections. They are cheaper e.g. door skins at £87 as opposed to £105.
paulh4

As Julian has said, front wings now are a mad price, particularly in relation to the value of the cars, unless you're keeping the car for ever (in which case you'll need more pairs of wings in the future if you use car in the wet). Mine could really now do with replacement (nice secondhand ones fitted 25 years ago), but I repaired existing ones with new 1/4 lower panels and a lot of creativity around the headlamp area.
Peter Allen

I think 'wet' is OK, unless it's not allowed to dry out properly and is combined with salt.

I've had the roadster 30 years now, many organised runs over the years, which as the weather can't be controlled includes many wet ones and even one snowy one with salt. The previous owner used it as a daily driver parked outside, and at some point the front wings had been replaced. But they needed no work prior to the repaint when I got it, nor since to metal or paint. The rear wing cover panels over the sills did need replacing as that is a well-known rust point particularly with replacement panels that aren't treated properly before and after paint.

The V8 has been different, used as a daily driver for several years in some very cold winters driving many motorway miles and kept outside albeit under a carport. Again rear wing sill covers, one front wing sill cover, and round the headlight. 'Creative' as said, I fashioned the double curvature from two pieces of flat sheet purely with hammers and pliers, welded and filled much to my surprise you really couldn't see the join. One rear wing was also showing bubbling over the arch during most of my ownership. The interesting thing is that in the near 20 years since that car stopped being a daily driver, was garaged, no more salt but some wet journeys each year, further body deterioration was virtually non-existent. For a repaint two years ago apart from replacing the lower half of the bubbling rear wing just two small patches near the headlight on the other wing were needed.

I think the crucial thing is to avoid putting it away wet and leaving it to fester in a damp garage. Also avoid salt - which re-attracts any moisture in the air even after it has dried out.
paulh4

Thanks for all the comments.

If I lived in Los Angeles, CA---where I used to live and the distributor is located--I would buy a fender, pick it up, and try it out.

That said, buying one and then adding the cost of shipping it across the country to find out it does not fit is too big a gamble.


I am torn between buying a couple new fenders and a hood, and being able to buy a practically rust free shell/complete car for less (if I look around for a bit!) and go from there.

Thanks,
Julian
Julian Dufour

This thread was discussed between 28/09/2019 and 06/10/2019

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