Replacement body parts

[Millennium4can]

Evening everyone. ..

Question time. What are your opinions on replacement body parts? I am still trying to find a decent body shop to respray my car. After two failed attempts I have found someone who actually wants to respray my car. However I have got four new wings from my local r4 specialist ( https://piezasautosclasicos.com would love to hear opinions on these guys) Is there any risks of devaluing the car by using replacement panels? It's just so much cheaper to use replacements thanot havethe originals repaired.

 

[Paul Narramore]

No risk whatsoever. The front wings on my R4GTL are far too gone to consider repairing so I shall get a pair of wings to replace them. I have heard however, that some replacement wings fit better than others.

 

[mojobaby]

Hello Millennium,
I think that your question is highly debatable.

A car with everything original (including Paintwork) and well maintained is worth more than a car that has had work done to it. However sometimes it is unavoidable that some panels would have to be replaced, especially if they are damaged. In that case, having them look exactly like the other panels would be preferable. That means the inside colour of the panel should also match up with the other panels.

A car that is 50 years old, is expected to be less than perfect. For a collector, a rusty panel that has been repaired is preferable to a whole new replacement panel.

The fact that you are having the entire car painted is undoubtedly better than respraying only the panels that are going to be replaced as sometimes the respray colour is slightly different.

Value wise, there's a big difference between "classic" and "custom". Classics with original equipment are worth more than a car that has been customized. Even if you replace your car seats to make for more comfortable driving, or your steering wheel for a more "cool" look would have a detrimental effect on the value.

But there again, if you ever had to sell your car, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Would the buyer be a serious collector or just someone who appreciates a great looking car?

 

[JonathanT]

I think no matter where you obtain the wings and how good or bad they supposedly are ....it's all a question of fettling them to get the perfect fit. The thing is unless you are Derek (Renospeed) or Paul (Mr Reno) it's likely you won't get the opportunity to compare quality easily. Mine came from der franzose and we're pretty good but still required adjustment and were not quite as good as the old wings fit wise. But yes there is nothing lost to replace . I'm very glad I replaced rather than repaired my wings

 

[Paul Narramore]

MB, 'Highly debatable'? I think not. These are not Bugatti Royales but basic, drive into the ground budget cars with over eight million being built. I think most owners wouldn't bat an eyelid over replacing wings. For all I know all or none of the wings on my car have or haven't been replaced, unlike the spark plugs, filters and oil which all have certainly been replaced

 

[mojobaby]

Yes it is debatable. You have an opinion which I respect and you should respect mine. That makes it a debate

There might have made 8 mill, but how many are left. I very rarely see one where I live in France. And they are going up in value, because they have reached "classic" status. I paid 800Euro in 2002 and last year I was offered 2500Euro from someone who approached me in the street.

As much as I admire your ignition system which you've just installed, there's no way I would do it to mine. I like the original points. Thats they way they're supposed to be.
Keep your car as original as possible.

Millennium's question was would it affect the value. Depends who buys it. Someone on this forum recently bought an early 60's car. Most people here recommended that he leave the bodywork as is, as it has a certain "patina". I think thats the word they used.
Anyway Paul, thank you for your comment. I'm off to polish my Bugatti.

 

[Lobster]

Original? Modified? Frankly the only person to whom it has any concern is the one who owns it.

OP - If you are getting it painted and the wings are rusty then fitting new wings makes sense. Is it likely to be more valuable with new wings versus original but repaired wings? No, not really. Is it likely to make it less valuable? No, probably not.

I got two wings for the red GTL I had from Melun Retro Passion and they needed a bit of persuasion to fit but looked perfect when they were on. Most panels will be the same.

Without going off on too much of a tangent.....

A few years ago I took my F6 to a show. A chap comes up, has a look round and then proceeded to tell me that the wheels weren't original, that the steering wheel wasn't original and that the seats weren't original. I politely reminded him that as it wasn't his, his opinions held no value and he should refrain from exercising them on others. I like mine exactly the way it is and the variety in the R4 scene is a good thing. I like a factory original car but then I also like the modified stuff, the R4 Turbos and the like equally as much. I quite like the idea of a 5spd box with 1.4 engine conversation. If my van was factory standard I don't think I'd be quite so keen on actually using it. I like different wheels and reclining seats etc. Does this make it worth less? Who cares? It's mine and it isn't for sale so its a moot point really.

TL : DR - Its your car, do what you want with it.

 

[Paul Narramore]

MB, It was the "highly" part I disagreed with. Of course we have different opinions although on the wisdom of replacing a rotten body panel with a new, identical and sound replacement we'll have to differ on.

Some years ago I was at Duxford watching a craftsman beating an original and battered nose cone for a salvaged Bristol Beaufighter. I asked him why he simply didn't get a sheet of new ally and make a new one. "That wouldn't be the same thing at all" he replied. There are only one or two Beaufighters left.

 

[Melissa]

My feelings are..if you can keep it on the road & keep it original then do...my R4 is 40 years old & totally original and that feels kind of special..marks and wear over time have history and I like that. However, I also have a 1985 VW T25 Westy which had a 1.6 diesel engine, totally underpowered for a campervan, leading to overheating & head gaskets going..so it's now got a 2l tdi engine from an Audi and because of that I use it, a lot! So I guess for me the most important thing is driving and enjoying them.

 

[mojobaby]

Yes Paul, "highly" was the wrong choice of words. Also I shouldn't also have said "debatable". I meant actually that I wouldn't mind having a debate about it.

The condition of Millenniums panels are unknown. Perhaps they're dented or perhaps they're rusty. Personally I prefer to repair where and if possible.

Nice story about the Beaufighters

 

[harbourseal]

I'm in the process of making my F6 a drivable every day car. Leather seats, nice steering wheel that doesn't freeze to my fingers in the winter, 123 ignition etc.
Value on the cars is a debatable thing. I do agree with lobster. I own it to drive it. I don't own it as an investment.

 

[Millennium4can]

Wow what a response I probably should have worded the question better. Basically my panels are dented as a pose to scratched and therefore cheaper to replace as a pose to repair. I just wanted to make sure I didn't take away from the originality of the car it's not a question of money I have no plans to sell it any time soon. However very interesting to hear all the different views.

 

[Paul Narramore]

My own thoughts of modifying these 4s. A bit like classic motorbikes of which I have an interest, as long as any modifications are carried out sensibly and don't alter the overall appearance of the vehicle, that's fine by me. Swopping a corroded wing for a sound replacement, fine. Replacing points for efficient and trouble free electronic ignition, that's fine. Fitting better QH headlight bulbs? Sure. Fitting 145x13 tyres instead of 135x13 tyres, well the jury is out on that one. My car came with both fitted! The steering is pretty heavy at walking speeds in car parks so going back to fresh 135x13 rubber might improve that. Multi-coloured paintwork, spoilers, flames, very wide non-standard wheels? I don't think so. My BMWs and the elderly GoldWing have stainless steel braided brake hoses, a big improvement over the aged rubber ones. Modern tyres a great improvement over the old rubber. The cylinder heads on my BMWs have been twin plugged for improved engine performance and better fuel economy. The seats have internal gel pads for better comfort. One BMW has an Australian rear light mod with about twenty LEDs, a darn sight better and safer than the old rear light. Stainless steel spokes over tarnished originals too. So, just some thoughts.

 

[André4Renaults]

My own thoughts of modifying these 4s. A bit like classic motorbikes of which I have an interest, as long as any modifications are carried out sensibly and don't alter the overall appearance of the vehicle, that's fine by me. Swopping a corroded wing for a sound replacement, fine. Replacing points for efficient and trouble free electronic ignition, that's fine. Fitting better QH headlight bulbs? Sure. Fitting 145x13 tyres instead of 135x13 tyres, well the jury is out on that one. My car came with both fitted! The steering is pretty heavy at walking speeds in car parks so going back to fresh 135x13 rubber might improve that. Multi-coloured paintwork, spoilers, flames, very wide non-standard wheels? I don't think so. My BMWs and the elderly GoldWing have stainless steel braided brake hoses, a big improvement over the aged rubber ones. Modern tyres a great improvement over the old rubber. The cylinder heads on my BMWs have been twin plugged for improved engine performance and better fuel economy. The seats have internal gel pads for better comfort. One BMW has an Australian rear light mod with about twenty LEDs, a darn sight better and safer than the old rear light. Stainless steel spokes over tarnished originals too. So, just some thoughts.

I'm all for modifications if they make the car more usable in an every-day sense, so electronic ignition, halogen headlamps, inertial reel seat belts are all definite yeses in my book, not only for ease of use but from a safely aspect, too. Likewise may old classics (not Renault 4s, though) were originally supplied on cross-ply tyres (anyone under 50 years of age, go and Google the differences!) but I don't know of anyone who runs a regularly used classic on cross-plys! Death and destruction would not be far away; well hair raising moments, to say the least!

 

[Millennium4can]

OK people so hear we are replacement parts being used during the respray. Opinions welcome! !

 

[harbourseal]

Looks fine to me. The end result is what counts.
I've seen fiberglass parts from Slovenia.
They do the job to. You can't see the difference when they are used the right way.
You hear it whenever you knock on them.

 

[reidalpine]

Whatever it takes to enable owner to use his/hers car is the way to go.Mine had that 850cc and it was ok-to a point.
when driving around Europe I had to keep a constant look in the mirrors looking for big semis and such as their speed
would be higher than mine up every uphill.
-On a fine day I noticed that instead of using the fun 4, I'd jump in that "other car" Tha Last thing i wanted-so what
to do ? I'd much rather use the 4 but practicality or ease made me go for easiest instead.
After original swap to the 1289cc and then to the 1398cc my 4 could be used and was used much more,and was totally
superior in all senses.
What's the use of owning a 4 if it stands still most of the time ?
If that's your idea I'd be all for it-but that's not the reason why I love the 4 ,but again-it's your car so you do what you
want.
but investment? -in a 4 ?? I've got a cunning plan for you to invest-it involves a princes-nephew ,just needing your bank-
details to have a chest of gold released from the bank of Nigeria-you think it a good investment-go for it.
Details on request -Reid.