Quote Originally Posted by Big Rob View Post

Why would anyone make a product that is supposedly a "replacement part" that isn't an exact copy?
Because if they make it to suit the one application and if it can suit another application (with owner mods) then they reckon that is close (or good) enough for them and the consumer will just have to "put up" with not being able to return it if they fluff the mods or even mark the metal for that matter.

A bit like them only doing 3mm steering wheels. They'll do the job but they are not the "right" part. Sign of the times Rob, I've recently been spending quite a bit on repro bits and some of the parts are very very good, some parts have me looking back at the original to see if I could make that bit work again.

At least someone is at least attempting to do repro bits for our old busses. I wish they'd hurry up with a few more external hanging panels. I see a lot of rusty crap at swaps and on ebay nowadays and I feel for the poor blokes with rusted out doors and wonder that if the unthinkable should happen and I prang my ute just what would I replace any hanging panels with? It would be very very nice to be able to go and buy a new door or guard or even a bonnet for a HJ-Z but hey, we can only hope....