1
                         [DYKEMA GOSSETT LETTERHEAD]

                                                                     DIRECT DIAL
                                                                  (313) 568-5412


                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                 August 4, 1997


Oxford Automotive, Inc.
2365 Franklin Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan  48203

         Re:     Registration Statement on S-4 in connection with the Exchange
                 Offer of 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 for 10 1/8%
                 Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Oxford Automotive, Inc., a Michigan
company (the "Company") and Lobdell Emery Corporation, a Michigan corporation,
Winchester Fabrication Corporation, a Michigan corporation, Creative
Fabrication Corporation, a Tennessee corporation, Parallel Group International,
Inc., an Indiana corporation, Laserweld International LLC, an Indiana
limited liability company, Concept Management Corporation, a Michigan
corporation and Lewis Emery Capital Corporation, a Michigan corporation (each a
"Subsidiary Guarantor" and together the "Subsidiary Guarantors") in connection
with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the Exchange
Offer by the Company of up to $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10
1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007, (the "Notes") for $125,000,000
aggregated of 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.  The Notes are to be
issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture") by and among the Company and
First Trust National Association, as Trustee.

         In so acting, we have examined and relied upon the originals, or
copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such company
records, documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are
necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions expressed below.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
   2

Oxford Automotive, Inc.
August 4, 1997
Page 2



         1.       The Notes, when executed and authenticated in
                  accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and upon          
                  issuance in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
                  in the Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration
                  Statement, will be valid and binding obligations of the
                  Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
                  their terms, except as (a)    the enforceability thereof may
                  be limited by or subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
                  fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other
                  similar laws now or hereafter affecting creditors' rights
                  generally and (b) rights of acceleration and the availability
                  of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles
                  of general applicability.

         2.       Each Subsidiary Guaranty, when executed and authenticated in
                  accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and upon issuance
                  in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer in the     
                  Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement,
                  will be a valid and binding obligation of each Subsidiary
                  Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in
                  accordance with its terms, except as (a) the enforceability
                  thereof may be limited by or subject to bankruptcy,
                  insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium
                  or other similar laws now or hereafter affecting creditors'
                  rights generally and (b) rights of acceleration and the
                  availability of equitable remedies may be limited by
                  equitable principles of general applicability.

         In rendering the opinions set forth above, we have assumed that the
laws of the State of New York as to the enforceability of the Notes and the
Subsidiary Guaranties are not different from the laws of the State of Michigan
(excluding the choice of law rules).

         We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration
Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not concede that we are experts
within the meaning of the Act or the rules or regulations thereunder or that
this consent is required by Section 7 of the Act.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC

                                        /s/ Dykema Gossett PLLC