Stainless mesh grille (grill)

[Bill_H]

Going to respray my Chim (Ruby Mica red) to get rid of a few scuffs and chips that have accumulated over the years and part of the refurb is to replace that black grille. Seen a few topics on here but no one seems to have put on a stainless mesh grille like Jaguar use.
Found this site that sells the mesh - and cant see why it would be difficult to cut using old grille as a template and then fit that bl**dy awful rubber around it.
Cost for the mesh is only £18 so it doesn't break the bank.
Has anyone done from scratch like this? If so what size mesh is best - the one I was looking at was #8 (8 wires per inch).

2nd topic - was just planning to fit the Megasquirt system to try to make it run smoother, but insurance company won't play ball (thanks Admiral) - still cant complain I guess as they only charge £84 per year on a classic car policy and that includes my 26 yr old daughter!

[phazed]

Personally speaking, black looks best.

There are a few cars around with SS, try the search.

[N7GTX]

Bill_H said:

Going to respray my Chim (Ruby Mica red) to get rid of a few scuffs and chips that have accumulated over the years and part of the refurb is to replace that black grille. Seen a few topics on here but no one seems to have put on a stainless mesh grille like Jaguar use.
Found this site that sells the mesh - and cant see why it would be difficult to cut using old grille as a template and then fit that bl**dy awful rubber around it.
Cost for the mesh is only £18 so it doesn't break the bank.
Has anyone done from scratch like this? If so what size mesh is best - the one I was looking at was #8 (8 wires per inch).

I did the Jaguar mesh from scratch last year. I did mine to protect the intercooler from stone damage and several people at Chatsworth commented on it. I have seen a couple of other cars with a similar modification.

I bought mine here: http://www.themeshcompany.com/products/Car-grille-...

Measure the existing black alloy grille and order the size nearest:

http://www.themeshcompany.com/products/Jaguar-Mesh...

I laid the old grille on top of the new stuff and clamped them together with vice grips. Drew a line with a marker all the way round then cut the mesh with side-cutter pliers. It was hard going so if you have access to large snips or even better a fabrication shop with a guillotine, it would take just a few minutes.
It is easy to fit into the rubber using a small screwdriver to lever the rubber over the mesh. I'm the opposite to Peter(Phazed) - I don't like the black hole.

Here is a before picture:



and here is one as it is now with clear indicator lenses:

[Bill_H]

Brilliant - thats exactly the effect I was looking for, thanks for the info.
I'm not against the black, its just that the original looks as though it was left over from building a BBQ.

Intercooler? - Is that for a turbo conversion?

[N7GTX]

Bill_H said:

Brilliant - thats exactly the effect I was looking for, thanks for the info.
I'm not against the black, its just that the original looks as though it was left over from building a BBQ.

Intercooler? - Is that for a turbo conversion?

Yes, if you click on my name you will see the details in my profile.

[sheel]

This is one I made for mine. Expanded mesh from wickes I lacquered it with 2 pack clear for corrosion,cheap protection to my new alloy rad!!
Rich

[sheel]

Sorry bout to pic orientation bloody iPad!
Rich

[phazed]

I really don't see how you can say shiny is better than dark.

[seeby]

phazed said:

I really don't see how you can say shiny is better than dark.

+1 I changed my original black grille for a similar designed polished ali one ,it took 4hours to make and 2 minutes to revert back to my black one.

Edited by seeby on Wednesday 6th April 20:01

[sheel]

I personally believe its depends on the colour of the car,black would look too heavy on the front of mine,I have sections of black ie wheels mirror trims etc and that's enough. Imo
Rich

[OleVix]

seeby said:

phazed said:

I really don't see how you can say shiny is better than dark.

+1 I changed my original black grille for a similar designed polished ali one ,it took 4hours to make and 2 minutes to revert back to my black one.

Edited by seeby on Wednesday 6th April 20:01

+2!

[N7GTX]

phazed said:

I really don't see how you can say shiny is better than dark.

The early cars look like basking sharks if you don't have the number plate across the middle. Plus there is the air restriction caused by the original grille with tiny holes and the number plate blocking it too. This way my car is protected and runs cooler. It is also just a teeny weeny 4 litre but for some reason is more powerful than a 5.5 litre black hole. Just sayin'

[phazed]

I quite like the early basking shark look.

I agree with the perforations on the steel that they use for the grill, it must be 50% metal and 50% Holes

Try a smaller number plate, I never had a pull with this one.

My old 4 .6 in standard trim .

[N7GTX]

phazed said:

I quite like the early basking shark look.

I agree with the perforations on the steel that they use for the grill, it must be 50% metal and 50% Holes

Try a smaller number plate, I never had a pull with this one.

My old 4 .6 in standard trim .

I did notice your smaller plates and even considered the E-type look with the stick-on plate on the bonnet.
I'm sure that in west Yorkshire I am unlikely to be pulled over but I visit Lincolnshire a lot and they are quite a bit keener on minor traffic violations
On a warm day on the motorway at 70mph the temp reading is 10 degrees lower over the original albeit with the number plate across the middle.

[ChilliWhizz]

N7GTX said:

and here is one as it is now with clear indicator lenses:

Iain, you know you can fit a shorter and still legal plate? they don't have to be that width to be legal... I went for minimum width plate specifically to give max airflow.... and it's quite legal...

[CHIMV8]

N7GTX said:

phazed said:

I quite like the early basking shark look.

I agree with the perforations on the steel that they use for the grill, it must be 50% metal and 50% Holes

Try a smaller number plate, I never had a pull with this one.

My old 4 .6 in standard trim .

I did notice your smaller plates and even considered the E-type look with the stick-on plate on the bonnet.
I'm sure that in west Yorkshire I am unlikely to be pulled over but I visit Lincolnshire a lot and they are quite a bit keener on minor traffic violations
On a warm day on the motorway at 70mph the temp reading is 10 degrees lower over the original albeit with the number plate across the middle.

Yorkshire

[phazed]

CHIMV8 said:

Yorkshire

Perfect look.

[ClassiChimi]

I re blacked the area in front of the rad on mine and I like the dark look but then that's cos the cars a light colour, same with the wheels, the original owner of my wheels didn't like them on his darker car and he was the first to point out they look good on a lighter coloured car of which I totally agree
Can't find a front shot so I'll have to post this little number,,

[phazed]

I like the way that this thread has completely gone O/T!

[TVR Beaver]

CHIMV8 said:

Yorkshire

If I like Chimps... which obviously owning a Griff I can't... cough cough... .. then I think I'd like one just like this... Stunning