Mk3 to Mk1 grille conversion, got a 1/2" gap

[martinhejdesten]

Hi.

I've read some forum discussions earlier, but none of them seemed to have the problem as mine.

1. I cut off the lip from my Mk3 bonnet.
2. Then I put the Mk3 bonnet on the car.
3. When mounting the new Mk1 grille and mustache (aligned with the arc shaped front panel) there is a 1/2" gap now. Well, it doesn't look nice.

Is the Mk1 bonnet longer in the front compared to the Mk3 bonnet, and therefore cover that 1/2" gap? Or do I have to cut the arc shaped bottom af my Mk3 grille and weld on a 1/2" metal distance just for it to work?

According to other forums people just lower the bonnet to make the gap disappear. Well, then the bonnet will have bad fitment next to the headlamps. Frustrating.

I have measured my Mk3 bonnet which is 27". But since I suddenly got a half an inch gap I assume that the Mk1 bonnet is 27.5" (0.5" longer) in the front section. Is this true? Or do I have to make it longer myself (cut and weld on half an inch)?

I'm aware of the different placement of the hinges. Mk3 has wide apart. Mk1 is narrower. Is it true that the Van Mk1 bonnet has the hinges separated as the Mk3 bonnet?

It will soon be sent for painting so I would be glad for a quick response.






Regards,

Martin Hejdesten

(Edit to comply with posting rules)

Edited by Scrump on Thursday 10th January 17:24

[and31]

Is your bonnet an original part?
I’ve fitted mk1 grilles to my last two minis (quite some time ago) but I don’t remember encountering any problems.i certainly didn’t have to add any metal to make them fit.