Expressed V Magnum

[Rich T]

Afternoon all.

 

At some point in the future ill be looking at buying a new rear panel for my 74 Escort.

So had a mooch around lunchtime to see whats about.

Anybody give me a clue as to the MASIVE price difference if Magnum and Expressed are a much of a muchness?!!!?

 

http://www.steelpanels.co.uk/products/ford/rear-panel/

 

http://magnumclassicfordpanels.co.uk/escort-mk1-1968-75/complete-back-panel-to-1968.html

 

Rich

[Chris standage]

Wow that is a huge difference in price, cant say ive got anything from expressed but then personally wouldnt pay those prices, ive picked up a couple of the magnum panels through rally design, front floor pans and bonnet slam panel, strut top strengtheners and from offering them up they are perfectly fine for the job, couldnt say about the rear panel but with a 300 odd quid difference in price id personally expect the expressed panel to be perfect.

[katana]

Not saying there is a potential difference but the Magnum one is listed 'upto 1968' - maybe should be 'from 68! LOL

[Chris standage]

3 minutes ago, katana said:

Not saying there is a potential difference but the Magnum one is listed 'upto 1968' - maybe should be 'from 68! LOL

well noticed, just looked myself, they have the other one for an extra 5 quid from 68 onwards, always got to be careful ordering panels, there is 3 different slam panels depending on year of the car.

[Rich T]

Maybe Expressed panels include labour for fitting it aswell lol

[Rally Pack 2000]

I have found the Magnum panels to be appalling quality. One was so ripply that I had to cut a third of it off and thankfully the original was still intact at that point. Its true there is a huge price difference here but give the value of MK1s now investing in a better quality panel is a reasonable return on your investment.

[Ray]

the expressed one is a complete panel with centre re enforcer etc

magnum one is an outer skin only, they used to do a full panel option as well, as that's where mine came from, however at that time the centre re enforcer wasn't centred by a good half inch, and the boot catch then dosnt work till you put that right

look out for the differences on the years as well, late are shaped for the number plate to sit on, early not, and some have reversing light mount and wire holes, some don't, they charge extra for the holed ones, even though less metal lol

[Ray]

when they refer to complete, they mean just the entire outside, as you can buy things like just the lower part for repair purposes

[John escort mk1V6]

I have a bought few years ago the rear valance for mine Granada mk2 at expressed steel LTD and i regret i didn`t look good enough for a original one.

[Rich T]

18 hours ago, Ray said:

when they refer to complete, they mean just the entire outside, as you can buy things like just the lower part for repair purposes

I contacted both companies.

Expressed= Complete rear panel

Magnum= Outer skin only

 

Any other companies out there to use?

[Rally Pack 2000]

20 hours ago, Ray said:

the expressed one is a complete panel with centre re enforcer etc

magnum one is an outer skin only, they used to do a full panel option as well, as that's where mine came from, however at that time the centre re enforcer wasn't centred by a good half inch, and the boot catch then dosnt work till you put that right

look out for the differences on the years as well, late are shaped for the number plate to sit on, early not, and some have reversing light mount and wire holes, some don't, they charge extra for the holed ones, even though less metal lol

That was going to be my next post asking if the reinforcement beam and bowls for the taillights were part of both panels.

The non centred beam of the Magnum panel sums up my experiences with them. yes you can make them fit but you have a lot of extra work to get them there.

[katana]

Realistically though - these ain't Ford original stampings and even back in the 70 / 80's the quality and fit of 'Pattern Parts' was always suspect.

For all we know these may be the original 70 / 80's pattern part press tooling and still turning out dubious fit products.

[Rich T]

Well as it stands im 50/50.

I think a rear panel is the way to go on my car.

But weather i go skin or full kit and caboodle is another thing.

Need to take a closer look ant the inner frame etc and go from there.

Also the one on my car hasnt got the pressings where the number plate goes even though its a 74???

That being sead, its definately had a N/S/R 1/4 panel in its life so theres every chance its had a rear panel aswell.

 

Rich