MatraSport Forum

Each model => Murena => Topic started by: michaltalbot on May 13, 2009, 01:19:15 am

Title: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: michaltalbot on May 13, 2009, 01:19:15 am
Hello, my father has just bought a Hillman Minx IIIC from 1959. Do you know some specialist for spare parts for this car? Thanks a lot in advance.
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: suffolkpete on May 13, 2009, 07:27:47 am
There used to be a firm called R J Grimes, of Coulsdon, Surrey.  I think they have been taken over now, but are still trading, possibly under a different name.
Also, try:Congratulations to him on acquiring one of these now increasingly rare cars.
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: michaltalbot on May 17, 2009, 11:43:22 am
Thank You very much, I´ve found something on http://www.speedyspares.co.uk/ (http://www.speedyspares.co.uk/) but not the most important parts - front and rear wings. Other shops have only the e-mail or telephone contact (no websites) so if I could ask You if You can phone to them? If not, nothing happend, I will use the e-mail, but it can be better when somebody from UK speaks by phone right to somebody than e-mail from CZ  ;) if they will have the wings (we really need front ones, rear ones are reparable) we will go there personally to pick up them right there in England (I have never been there so why not to make a trip  ;) ).
Thank You in advance, best regards. Michal
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: Murena IRL on May 17, 2009, 01:25:45 pm
you could also try Alpine West Midlands

http://www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk/
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: suffolkpete on May 17, 2009, 02:02:18 pm
A bit more digging has revealed that Speedy spares used to be R J Grimes.  They are probably the best known firm for Rootes spares.  I'll phone the other two, but I don't hold out much hope, the Minx is very rare and I don't think anyone would make repro parts.  My advice would be to join a club in the UK and see if they can help you to find good , or at least repairable, used wings.
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: Murena IRL on May 17, 2009, 02:49:27 pm
Alpine West Midlands says it does do body panels

http://www.sunbeam-alpine.co.uk/ra_mi_gaz.htm
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: suffolkpete on May 17, 2009, 03:18:42 pm
Another thought has struck me.  If you really can't get the correct wings, why not consider fibreglass replacements.  http://www.smithanddeakin.co.uk list front wings for the series Minx at £81 and will export anywhere in the world.  I haven't used this firm myself so don't know whether it's a good idea or not, but it may be the only way to get the car back on the road.
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: suffolkpete on May 18, 2009, 10:29:38 am
I've phoned the suppliers and have sent you a PM with more details.
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: michaltalbot on May 18, 2009, 01:09:34 pm
Thank You VERY VERY much for Your help and for all infos. I will send the e-mails, but it's better than to start form zero-point  ;) Thank You once more.
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: Matra_Hans on May 18, 2009, 02:44:12 pm
Hi
Interesting ling to the firm making fibreglass replacements.  http://www.smithanddeakin.co.uk.
They have Simca 1100 / Rancho front wings in their program.
I do have a few good sets of Simca1100 / Rancho fromt wings in store but getting some that will never rust is worth considering.

Hans
Title: Re: OT: for everybody living in GB
Post by: michaltalbot on May 18, 2009, 02:51:06 pm
Just for precising - it's 1959 Hillman Minx IIIA (and not C as I wrote before) DeLuxe Saloon  ;)