Injection moulding or wheel arch moulds GTS arhces

[GTSPhil]

Hi Guys

So to make a very long story short.

I have been after someone that has or can get or can have a set of moulds made for the Original GTS wheel arches for preferably Injection moulding them back to original spec. 
Next option does anyone know which company used to supply these wheel arches to Leyland back in the day?

I have been listening to the same stories from the same people for quite some time about having moulds made.

I know of the arches that is available sometimes in fiberglass, not specifically what I am after if I have a choice.

I have been told by numerous people that the correct way to make a mould is with the arches still on the car,  if need be I am willing to go down this route, now comes the question of money into play.  If needed I am willing to pay to have the moulds made and to provide the car with the arches in reasonable condition, but within reason on the financial front.

I do fully understand that the demand for such arches is very low, so that begs the next question just how many arches will be sold if correct nice moulds are available to supply said arches?

If possible can I be referred to a injection moulding company or specialist in the gauteng (PTA or JHB area) please.

Thanks

[Enzio]

Pioneer plastics in Rosslyn might be able to help or at least provide advice on the way to go.

[DomMINIque]

Are you after plastic arches done through injection moulding Phil?

[askalbert]

Hi GTS Phil.

Would you like for me to check what is available in Australia?

The plastic ones can be bought, or perhaps a fibreglass replacement.

I have a few old ones, but may be looking for a set for my car anyway. Round nose front ones are a different shape, rear the same.

(The other part similar to our 1275 LS models were the 12" wheels with strengthening spacer on rear and plastic wheel trim.)

A.



One option here in Adelaide South Australia. These are hollow black plastic:
http://minisport.com.au/mini-flare-kita-...a-original

This is a good contact, Northern Beaches Sydney New South Wales, will find you anything within reason:
http://miniandmokeworld.com.au/about-us/

Also in Sydney NSW:
http://www.karcraft.com.au/index.php/mini

These in Mulgrave, NW from Sydney NSW. Also listed separately, catalogue is useful:
http://minikingdomonline.com.au/product/...-set-of-4/

http://minikingdomonline.com.au/product/...ubman-lhf/

http://minikingdomonline.com.au/product/...ubman-rhf/

Minibits online shows front listed separately or a set of four:
http://minibits.com.au/list.php?subcat=pfm&vehicle=2

Canberra ACT based Classic Motoring:
http://www.classicmotoring.net.au/cmos/i...cts_id=574

In Melbourne Victoria try Link Automotive:
http://www.linkautomotive.com.au/

Or Mini Plus also in Melbourne:
http://www.minisplus.com.au/classic-mini

In Western Australia Minicraft:
http://www.minicraft.com.au/partsnon.htm

Ken Nelson at Mini Automotive in Ipswich Queensland:
http://www.miniauto.com.au/home.htm


Some service locations:

Could try MR Automotive in Redcliffe Qld - more Land Rover these days:
http://www.mrautomotive.com.au/land-rove...level=base

Road and Track Ipswich Qld similarly does mainly other cars these days:
http://www.roadandtrack.net.au/

Matt Read at Readspeed Mini Mecca in Brisbane
5l/167 Murarrie Rd, Murarrie QLD 4172
07 3399 9999

Greg Malaure at Mini Classic in Sydney
Unit 2/27 Hope St, Ermington, NSW 2115
02 9874 7211

[GTSPhil]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have gotten in contact with another classic mini specialist here in SA today actually that had 3 moulds made. We just need the LH front mould then we are good to go. These arches will be made from fibreglass if I am not mistaken.

If possible I would look at plastic injection moulding yes as that is how the originals were made DomMINIque.

I will contact Pioneer plastics thanks for the heads up.

Askalbert thanks for all the leads on where to check for what in your country. Normally I deal with Minispares in the UK or Minisport.
I do however know of more than one classic mini specialist that does use the hypatec pistons from your side of the world with very good results and pricing. You are correct in stating that your LS mini uses the exact same arches as the GTS. I have read on this forum when it was still the europefreeforum that a SA based mini owner imported those arches and was not happy with the fitment and price way back when, who knows. But that is the only opinion I have come across of the Aussie sourced arches.

PS a good friend of mine that used to work for Mini Centre in PTA in the early 80s just laughed when I explained my predicament to him, the reason being " You know brand new GTS arches was R8 a set".....

[askalbert]

The UK will be a better source of parts in general, most of our parts come from there (or China) if not locally made. The Australia specific parts may be easier to find here, such as the earlier winding window parts. I have updated the prior post with a few more contact details in different areas. Perhaps it is more useful in the 'links' area.

Yes the price is high, I remember thinking $40.00 Australian was a lot in the mid '80s for one, twice that now.

Regarding quality that is also my bugbear. The plastic is not strong and usually ends up cracking where it follows around the body seam. Fibreglass may be stronger and more long lasting. Fitment is also so-so and the fitment of the trim strip even with a little hair dryer heat a pain.

The main issue I have is with the dirt, dust and moisture that collects behind, and if I end up using these rather than the Wood & Picket style I will be running sealer all around the top edge next to the body and possibly lower edge as well, similar to what is done with the 'ears' over the Mercedes 300SL wheel arches.

This may not be such a huge issue, the picture is of a crusty Mk II Cooper S arch extension which in the end outlasted the rest of the body.