Spitty doors

[angelajoy]

Hi everyone.  I am just starting a restoration of my MK1 spitty and need some advice re the doors. They are badly rotted along the bottom edge (she has been off the road for 22 years !) and I'm wondering the best way to go. Is it feasable to use doors from a newer model and fill in the cut out for the handles and then re-cut the hole to suit my handle ??  Are they all the same shape and size ??  Also the bootlid edge has disintegrated - is there a repair panel for the edge or is a new/replacement bootlid the best option?

Thanks in advance.

Angela

[Fizzy]

im pretty sure the doors are all the same size and fit, just the handle/lock arrangements are different. the bootlid on my mk3 spit had also crumbled along the edge, the only option is to either have it repaired by somebody or yourself, or find a new one. new ones are available, but are a big chunk of money. GRP ones are about 80 quid, but obviously aren't metal. or second hand if you find one, but from what i can tell the double layered construction on the bottom lip is a serious water trap. i managed to get a mint metal one second hand less than 2 years ago, and its already started to bubble through the paint along the bottom edge. its a job i need to get on top of before it gets too bad, as i got VERY lucky finding my lid, and i dont fancy the huge bill for another new metal one. i looked into getting mine repaired, but it would have cost about as much s buying a new one.

either way, good luck. if you get a metal one, dont do what i did and leave it open to rusting away again.

[JensH]

NOP - doors not the same; mk 1 doors quite different from later cars, although you can alter later doors to fit.
Go for a repair on the lower edge (you can buy a repair panel for this, but if you have access to some basic body work tools, you can make your own. And fit a new skin.

Steel craft does a Heritage approved new boot lid, but it needs some work to fit as an original one.

[angelajoy]

Thanks to both of you for replies - this is what I feared tho' .... one person says yes and one says no lol.  I think I'll bite the bullet and get the original ones repaired !  I see that Rimmer Bros do repair panels - are they a good firm to deal with ?

[Fizzy]

don't go by my word, go with JensH. i had never heard of the doors being different, but i had also never really asked. so i was wrong with my info, apologies. at least i learnt something today !

Rimmers are very good, but see if you can get the same parts from Canley Classics, who i tend to find a bit cheaper for anything i've ever ordered. if im looking for parts, its always my first port of call.

[JRidout]

I'm restoring a Mk1 (Spitfire 4) as well. James Paddock are good, Quiller also if you touch lucky and they are breaking something decent, Rimmer are very good but expensive, Canley good as well. TD Fitchett have boot lids at £295, Rimmer at £380 odd. A mint bootlid went for £170 on eBay last week so look after it as it's expensive kit to replace.

I have gone for new door skins at £45 each from Rimmers when they were offering 15% discount at the recent show but they are normally £51. Do they fit ummmmm..... with a bit of fettling they do and it's a lot of measuring.

You'll find that if you are patient most stuff goes up on eBay where failed projects appear, sad but a reality.

Cheers

JR

[Deleted User]

Try Paddocks or Max at Totally Triumph in Cheshire.

I got a spare door from Graham at Paddocks he had some second hand California rust free in (Mine is a MKIV) worth a check.

Max has loads of used spares although I am not sure on what stock he has. There are other breakers worth a look, but I only have knowledge of Paddocks and Max both superb.

Rob  

[Martyn GT6]

I'm pretty sure Sportscar supplies in Newcastle have a Mk1 door with the appropriate latch cutout in stock, give them a try.

[JensH]

Agree with JR above; I buy all my stuff from Paddock (and a few minor parts from Canley). The repair panel is just the straight lower part with the flange for the door skin. If you make your own, do remember its wider at the front.

Some pics of my latest project here: http://thetriumphanimal.blogspot.com/