Maestro Bodyshells?

[1dja]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick one before going out. Not sure where to put it, so in here!

Having searched on Google for 'Maestro bodyshell China', I found a MMOC thread from mid-2003 that discussed Maestro shells from China. (There's also one at: http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?blogs200501f.htm).

Does anyone know the current status on these? I would be sorely tempted, if one were available, to save myself a lot of welding by getting a new shell for my '84 1.3 LE. Then only the engine with its 233000 miles would need rebuilding...

Of course, if I did, questions would then be, new chassis no / DVLA; will the engine mount threaded holes be in the right place; etc, etc; but that's speculative.

David

[E_T_V]

Nothing has ever come of it as far as I'm aware. Most people wouldn't be prepared to pay a grand+ for a shell for a maestro. The rediculously cheap prices mentioned in some places weren't properly thought out. The engines in the chinese cars are different (toyota 1.4 diesels I think), so the engine mounts would likely be in the wrong place. If they were available I'm not sure how the DVLA would class them, but there would be only one way to find out :D

[TLC]

:) Hi everyone,

Just a quick one before going out. Not sure where to put it, so in here!

Having searched on Google for 'Maestro bodyshell China', I found a MMOC thread from mid-2003 that discussed Maestro shells from China. (There's also one at: http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?blogs200501f.htm).

Does anyone know the current status on these? I would be sorely tempted, if one were available, to save myself a lot of welding by getting a new shell for my '84 1.3 LE. Then only the engine with its 233000 miles would need rebuilding...

Of course, if I did, questions would then be, new chassis no / DVLA; will the engine mount threaded holes be in the right place; etc, etc; but that's speculative.

DavidThe same could apply for the montego est being made at Etsong.maybe the club could look into the possability of getting some.I would pay for one .

[E_T_V]

But how much would you pay. With shipping I don't think there would be much change out of a couple of grand for a new shell, and then you'd need to spend that again swapping the parts over, adapting the bits that don't fit and then painting it.

[Simon]

...although to have a shell restored to rust free condition professionally like I have had done also costs a fair few thousand too. Until the cost (and availability) of a new bodyshell all-in is established, it is impossible to weigh up. Additionally if the quality of Chinese manufactures doors and wings is anything to go by, shells might be of an inferior quality to what us Brits produced.

[TLC]

We wont know till we have the facts before us.Someone needs to make enquires. The estate is made yet on initall enquirey Xpart said no they were not made .when i told then i knew they were they came back to me and amited that they were.Sounds like they dont want anyone trying to get hold of them.Maestros could be the same.

[1dja]

Hm, doesn't sound very hopeful... Oh well, Summer's on its way I suppose. Have most panels I am likely to need, but it's the time and effort, and won't be particularly professional.
Anyway I've just managed to set up broadband so maybe I'll spend a little time looking...
Thanks for replies, if anyone comes across this and knows any more, let us know!

[MG MAL]

Whith all this renewed discussion about shells, I might as well say it now.

I was informed by a very reliable source a couple of weeks ago, that X-Part is doing its very best to 'move on' all stock with regards to anything Austin/MG/Rover etc as they see no future in it.

This tells me that Nanjing plan to carry out there own supply chain and suppliers and not use X-Part.

(When I asked about my view, it was not denied)

All the info I have been given is that certain Rover Spares centres that owed X-Part financially, are currently being used to clear certain stocks via e-bay and other auction sites.

(Apparently there are 4 former dealerships involved, although I only know of one)

The prime stock (all the best stuff) is being sold through the deal set up with Rimmer Bros, and current X-Part service centres.

So I'm not surprised that they are being a little hesitant with regards to acquiring panels etc from China.

I can confirm however, that the Chinese panels are inferior to the original Rover supplied spares.

A rear panel for a Maestro supplied thru SAIC weighs aprox 5 kilos less than a Rover original.(Thinner steel/lower grade)

Easy enough way to tell the difference between them .........

Genuine UK made Rover panels are finished in Black.
Chinese Made replacement panels are finished in a cheap grey primer.


As I understand it, it was thought that it could be possible to deal with SAIC via an import firm already established in China.
However, although there seemed to be plenty of interested owners, when it came to the crunch, the majority backed out due to the financial commitment needed.

A minimum amount of shells had to be purchased to make it worth while for the importers, and this is basically what put an end to the project last time.

Im sure that if I have missed anything out with regards to the last attempt to acquire new shells, one of those involved will likely fill the gaps in my understanding of 'what was what' last time.


Mal.

[talkingcars]

Thinner steel - lighter body shell - faster car - now I AM interested ;)

[E_T_V]

Thinner steel does not mean inferior. It could simply be that they are using a stronger steel and so they can use less of it. The maestro was one of the first cars to use the new "high strength" steels of the time (they didn't downgauge it because they didn't know how it would perform which is why maestros are so tough), however high strength these days means something completely different. However they could be making it out of tinfoil too which unless they told you the material spec you wouldn't be able to tell.

[TLC]

:confused: Whith all this renewed discussion about shells, I might as well say it now.

I was informed by a very reliable source a couple of weeks ago, that X-Part is doing its very best to 'move on' all stock with regards to anything Austin/MG/Rover etc as they see no future in it.

This tells me that Nanjing plan to carry out there own supply chain and suppliers and not use X-Part.

(When I asked about my view, it was not denied)

All the info I have been given is that certain Rover Spares centres that owed X-Part financially, are currently being used to clear certain stocks via e-bay and other auction sites.

(Apparently there are 4 former dealerships involved, although I only know of one)

The prime stock (all the best stuff) is being sold through the deal set up with Rimmer Bros, and current X-Part service centres.

So I'm not surprised that they are being a little hesitant with regards to acquiring panels etc from China.

I can confirm however, that the Chinese panels are inferior to the original Rover supplied spares.

A rear panel for a Maestro supplied thru SAIC weighs aprox 5 kilos less than a Rover original.(Thinner steel/lower grade)

Easy enough way to tell the difference between them .........

Genuine UK made Rover panels are finished in Black.
Chinese Made replacement panels are finished in a cheap grey primer.


As I understand it, it was thought that it could be possible to deal with SAIC via an import firm already established in China.
However, although there seemed to be plenty of interested owners, when it came to the crunch, the majority backed out due to the financial commitment needed.

A minimum amount of shells had to be purchased to make it worth while for the importers, and this is basically what put an end to the project last time.

Im sure that if I have missed anything out with regards to the last attempt to acquire new shells, one of those involved will likely fill the gaps in my understanding of 'what was what' last time.


Mal.Well according to Rimmers they dont know anything about it.:confused:

[MG MAL]

Well according to Rimmers they dont know anything about it.

Im not surprised that was there answer.

According to Rimmer Bros, the Montego never went to India either. ;)

Mal.

[TLC]

[QUOTE=MG MAL]Im not surprised that was there answer.

According to Rimmer Bros, the Montego never went to India either. ;)

Mal.[/QUOTEX-Part have also fanaticlty denied the parts situation today.