The FL1 had plastic wings IIRC which meant they were immune to rusting around the wheel arches.
Considering nearly all bumpers and valances are plastic these days why dont we see plastic wings more often on cars? Jules

History tells me you would be called Dell Boy Jules.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Possibly cost

If you fit a non-structural plastic wing you have to make the "chassis" stronger to compensate.
Are plastic wings , which must be of a good quality rather than the non-seen wing liner, actually more expensive than a cheap thin metal pressing?

The plastic wings on the FL1 were brilliant, you could kiss a post (or a Vectra) and it would move out of the way leaving the wheel to take the brunt of the "kiss" Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

When manufacturers do experiment with replacing metal with non corroding plastic, users normally then complain about it cracking or breaking up in some way. Besides, exterior plastic panel usually find a way of trapping mud and moisture and promoting rust that can’t be seen until it’s too late. X-Type sills anyone?!

The Freelander 1 plastic wings were highly durable.

As part of the press launch, a line of FL1 wings were placed in a row and driven over by a FL1 entering the area. The press could then evaluate the wings, as plastic wings were a first for LR.

.

They may sell for ££'s but when you see them come off of the machine they would only cost pence.

Richard FL2 07 TD4 GS Auto
Ex 02 TD4 Auto

How can you tell that?

Are you aware of the materials and equipment costs?

Largered wrote:

The Freelander 1 plastic wings were highly durable.

As part of the press launch, a line of FL1 wings were placed in a row and driven over by a FL1 entering the area. The press could then evaluate the wings, as plastic wings were a first for LR.

.

Many moons ago, people used to complain bitterly about shattered and cracked bumpers on the first volume car to market with them - the often derided Maestro and Montego Yet my experience on having driven around 200,000 miles in them was that they only broke if you hit things very hard! So often it’s people’s perceptions (or the need to “shift the blame”!), rather than reality, that designers might need to think about.

Personally, I like the idea of slightly flexible front wings in the early days of Hinckley Triumphs, before the accountants really got to work, they used to use the most amazing plastics for their fairings - you could fold a fairing panel in half and it would spring back into shape

I think the Audi Allroad has plastic wings, but then that car costs a fair whack compared to a normal A4 Avant.

I'd be happy with plastic wings, has to be said. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Andy131 wrote:

Possibly cost

If you fit a non-structural plastic wing you have to make the "chassis" stronger to compensate.
Are plastic wings , which must be of a good quality rather than the non-seen wing liner, actually more expensive than a cheap thin metal pressing?

The plastic wings on the FL1 were brilliant, you could kiss a post (or a Vectra) and it would move out of the way leaving the wheel to take the brunt of the "kiss"

Tigger wrote:

How can you tell that?

Are you aware of the materials and equipment costs?

Remember in the 70's when it was common to weld strengthening plates for the top of the McPherson struts because of rust? Usually after about 4 years old. By this time the wings were certainly showing signs of rust from underneath as plastic wheel arch liners were unheard of. Those were the days. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

The F1 plastic wings were a good idea , but had problems at the A-post. Some fitted great, others..........not so great





You can see that gap is tighter nearer the windscreen and bulges out as it nears the door shut. The wing at this point is not the same shape as the A-post. The pic is of my V6 and that is the original factory fitted wing, so left the factory like that.
Also, I changed the wing on mt Td4. I tried 3 wings before I found one I was satisfied with this area. Luckily I knew a Freelander breaker so had a large choice of wings. It is surprising how different they can be. Must be the moulding process and how quickly the moulded part cools down, causing this area to deform slightly.

That is surprising really as millions of plastic parts are made worldwide with very high tolerances and excellent quality control- just look at your domestic products for instance and all the other plastic parts in your car.

Anyone know who made the wings for the FL1 ? Jules