Lost vertical strut front grille on V8 Vantage

[Jimbo255]

Hi Guys,

Somehow I have managed to misplaced my vertical strut in the front grille. I have looked for a replacement and cant seem to find one so I was hoping with all your experience whether you had any advice other than buying a new grille. It's on the right as per the pic.

Thanks in advance

James

[Cold]

Jack the front of the car up and drop the front undertray. It may still be rattling around under there.

[oilit]

yikes - or if you're not so lucky you could try these guys ...

https://astonmartinbits.com/search?search=grill&am...

[Jimbo255]

Cold said:

Jack the front of the car up and drop the front undertray. It may still be rattling around under there.

I have had a look down and can't see anything but I guess its worth having a better look! at least its a nice weekend to work on the car

[Jimbo255]

Just got a very very quick response from Aston Martin Bits saying that Aston Martin would prefer that I buy a new part So I guess that I should start looking for a used one/damaged one for that one bit. Going to look to see if its lost in the car but if not then if you have a damaged grille or used one please let me know.

Thanks for all your help guys

[Bobajobbob]

I lost the very same piece from my old car. Quote from AM was a grand or so. I found a chap on eBay who sold me a new grill in part exchange for the old one for a few hundred quid. I believe he may be on here as Paul Cheeseman or similar?

Having gone the whole grill replace route I did read on here of someone sourcing just the single missing piece. Perhaps from Poland? Worth doing a search for that thread.

[S1-NOS]

It's only a bit of metal. Could you not remove the one on the other side and manufacture one yourself ? Of take the opposite one to a local machining company and get them to fabricate one ?

[LordBretSinclair]

This is not the first time this issue has been raised and other PHers have lost bits of grille.

I would have thought someone with the necessary skills /machinery could do a nice little sideline in grille bits

[johnnyBv8]

S1-NOS said:

It's only a bit of metal. Could you not remove the one on the other side and manufacture one yourself ? Of take the opposite one to a local machining company and get them to fabricate one ?

Yep, that’s what I’d suggest too - would be quite simple to machine

[mjk1]

Except that vertical strut is a plastic moulding and has notches that clip into the horizontal bars in order to grip them. Even if you could replicate the shape in metal (very difficult with the compound curves), I doubt it would function correctly. Best to try and salvage this strut from an otherwise damaged/incomplete grill.

[Chris.oOo]

I’m missing the centre strut, we could go halves on a cheap grill if you want??

[old phart]

I lost one on one side and just popped out the one from the opposite side to keep the look balanced until I can replace/replicate the lost one.

[stevenotwet]

Just 6weeks ago I heard a rattling around. Stopped the car, and the left hand side one same as yours of my grill had dropped I , on further investigation I found bolts missing from holding the front grill In place and what saved from losing the whole thing was where I had dropped the number plate..I assumed it was taken off when they where detailing the car and didn’t replace the bolts.

[Bobajobbob]

Try this guy. Part exchanged my broken grill. Has a lovely dog.

[davek_964]

+1 on Paul. Got my new grill from him a few years back (part ex), and the same with my clear rear lights.

[urbandaddy]

My new AMR grille should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I can part out my old grille from my 06 V8V.

[Jimbo255]

Thanks for all your help guys! I'm glad to see that it's not just me, whats annoying is that there is no simple fix other than new grille! @urbandaddy whats the best way to contact you, I can't seem to find a PM on here.

[Chris.oOo]

urbandaddy said:

My new AMR grille should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I can part out my old grille from my 06 V8V.

Can I swap you a few beer tokens for the centre bar??

[Jimbo255]

Hi All,

Looks like some wonderful chap called chrascina on eBay has revers engineered a solution! I can see that this has happened to a few people and the only answer was around £600-700 for a new grille. I have bought the part https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223100413019 and I will feedback my experience when I get it but there is finally a answer!!! Thank you all for your assistance

[Jimbo255]

Hi All,

Just an update on the Grille. After working with @Chrascina (he is on here somewhere) on the part I can say that it truly is an excellent replacement and at £50 well worth it in comparison to having to buy a new Grille.