British Motor Heritage
British Motor Heritage Limited was established in 1975 to support owners and the marketplace by putting genuine components for classic British cars back into manufacture, using original tools wherever possible. Since 2001, when the company was acquired from BMW, it has been successfully run as an independent company.
British Motor Heritage is the largest organisation of its type in the world. With access to unparalleled knowledge, authentic production information and original drawings and patterns, the company manufactures previously unobtainable body parts for British classic cars. It occupies a unique position since it assembles 32 derivatives of body shells and has built total production volume of over 7,000 for the MGB, MGR V8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, Original Mini and Mini Clubman using original press tools and assembly jigs.
British Motor Heritage body shells and panels are produced utilising traditional skills matched by the extensive use of modern materials, equipment and processes. An experienced team of nearly 40 staff, led by expert management, is enhanced by recruits with relevant talents and in-house training.
British Motor Heritage is based in Oxfordshire, a world centre for motor sport production with access to M4, M40 and M5. It occupies a modern building with 51,500 sq ft working area and significant room for expansion on a 3.6 acre landscaped site. Its office, manufacturing and parts complex houses all of the essential elements of the company, from engineering, manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities to purchasing, sales and marketing, licensing approvals and administrative support.
British Motor Heritage has unmatched control of original tooling and is complemented by a modular standalone system delivering information technology needs, together with a commercial fleet providing all UK based transport requirements. Via a 60 strong international network of Approved Specialists, the company distributes parts for many classic models to provide a comprehensive range to the historic car market.
British Motor Heritage is an approved supplier to Jaguar, Land-Rover, RBW EV Sports Cars and XPart for original equipment aftermarket components. It also distributes Steelcraft panels for MG and Triumph models exclusively to Approved Specialists and Steelcraft Stockists.
British Motor Heritage owns the Heritage trademark together with MOWOG, Nuffield, Standard, Stanpart and Steelcraft marks and the Heritage Motor Parts brand, and is licensed by the trademark owners to use MG, Mini, Austin-Healey, Triumph, Rover, Austin, Morris, Riley, Vanden Plas, Wolseley, Special Tuning and BMC trademarks and logos. Through its approval process, it is responsible for the licensing of vehicle, merchandise and publishing products and outlets using the non-current trademarks and logos originally owned by vehicle manufacturers. It is a Member of the Institute of Vehicle Engineers – SAE UK and Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.
Important information regarding the black primer applied to the Heritage and Steelcraft replacement body panels supplied by British Motor Heritage
The cathodically-applied two-pack electrocoat medium build primer is of the highest quality and ideal for use under topcoats.
The primer:
1. Meets the following stringent requirements:
- The receiving metal is stoved at a minimum of 180ºC for 12 minutes
- The film build is a minimum of 16 microns and maximum of 35 microns
2. Samples have been subjected to and passed tests for:
- Adhesion – performed within 30 minutes of painting
- Salt spray resistance – item subjected to 840 hours of salt spray
- Water resistance – item subjected to 240 hours of water soak
- Cyclic corrosion tests – performed to customer requirements
- Petrol immersion – item immersed in petrol for 1 hour at a temperature of 22 ± 3ºC
- Engine oil immersion - item immersed in engine oil (SAE 15/40)
- for 3 hours at 120 ± 1ºC
- for 96 hours at ambient temperature
- DERV - item immersed in DERV for 24 hours at ambient temperature
- White spirit - item
- immersed in white spirit for 15 minutes at ambient temperature
- wiped backwards and forwards 20 times
- Anti-freeze - item immersed in 50 percent anti-freeze for 1 hour at 70ºC
- Brake fluid - item immersed in brake fluid for 24 hours at 20 ± 5ºC
- Petrol/white spirit - item immersed for 24 hours at ambient temperature in a 2:1 mixture of petrol and white spirit
- Heat test - item heated for 1 hour at 149 ± 3ºC
- Pencil hardness - the paint film tested for hardness with a 4H pencil
3. Related specifications:
Ford - SKM 64J 9554C/D
General Motors - GME 00 007
Rover - RES 22 OF. 01
Jaguar - JMS 20.17.01