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                         [DYKEMA GOSSETT LETTERHEAD]



                                                                EXHIBIT 5.1

                                June 25, 1998

Oxford Automotive, Inc.
1250 Stephenson Highway
Troy, Michigan  48083

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

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, Howell Industries,
Inc., a Michigan corporation, and RPI Holdings, Inc., 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 $35,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007, Series B (the "Notes")
for $35,000,000 aggregated of 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007,
Series B.  The Notes are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the
"Indenture") by and among the Company and U.S. Bank Trust National Association
(formerly known as 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:




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Oxford Automotive, Inc.
June 25, 1998
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          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