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MG MGA - New Front Grille

Hi all,

Although my front grill is not tooooo bad, I was thinking about changing it taking the opportunity of the re-spray I am currently performing.
I wanted to get your views on which one I should go for.

I spoke to SF and they don't stock it. Victoria british seems to have an issue with their supplier.
I still need to check with LBC.

It seems like MOSS has the good product...being Brass, triple plated. Hope it is not just market gimmig, cos they certainly are the most expensive! like $330!

I wanted to know your views if any one of you has purchased one recently.

I guess I can also re-chrome mine, but not sure where, nor how much it will cost. Also some of the grill bars are a bit bent in areas. Any experience re-chroming?
I'm not even sure my current grill is original.

Gonzalo Ramos

Gonzalo.
Does your current grill fit your body?
I would suggest getting the outside section rechromed if it does conform to your body. As for the slats thay are available in Stainless Steel.
I am willing to wager that any replacement shell will not fit your current body profile.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

Yes indeed, my grille fits my body quite nicely....
I am tempted to see how a new one would fit.

If it doesn't I will return it and rechrome...
Gonzalo Ramos

I just bought a new one from Bob West - he says it's the best around, and no it doesn't fit as it's far too flat. The quality is good though.

It's going to take some very careful bending to make it fit, and I think I will probably just send it back and get the old one redone. The old one is a 20-year old Moss one,
dominic clancy

Mmmm, interesting.
I guess it just depends on the shape of the front and your luck... ; 0
Gonzalo Ramos

Hi, I purchased a new grille last year from Victoria British. THe quality was the pits and it definitely didnt fit. Since then, Vic Brit seems to not sell grilles anymore. I hear the premium Moss Motors Grilles are quite good, but I would still recommend rechroming your old one if it fits properly. Chrome on reproduction parts, in my experience isnt great. I have a one year Old Moss front bumper that is already starting to rust. The chrome plating seems mighty thin, although the bumper fit Ok. Just my 2 cents worth, Glenn
Glenn Hedrich

Its the chicken and egg thing.
The grill that came with my car fit relatively well, but it had a small imperfection and seemed cheap, so I purchased a new one. Based on all the good feedback I've read about the new Moss grills I went with their product. The new grill is (like Dominic's) much flatter then the old one. Although the fit is perfect now, I was surprised how much persuasion needed to be done to the body.
So my question, Are the new grills the same shape as the originals, and therefore don't fit because the body has been changed to accommodate the older style (non original) grills?

hmmm...

Bruce
B Suelzle

I must have 'lucked out'. Some dope backed up on the boulevard because she missed the turn into the bank...but she found where my MG was okay...right behind her!

Luck #1...She just smashed the grill, no sheet metal damage

Luck #2...She agreed to pay the Moss bill for a new grill so she did not have to turn in the accident claim to her insurance, and I agreed to provide the labor

Luck #3...The Moss grill (Brass core, chrome plated), slats, cap, and welting fit very well. Only one attachment hole did not line up, which was solved by a slight over grind on the existing mounting hole.

rpb bunch

Hi these pics show my car with the "old Moss" grill fitted and in the shot without the badge bar with the "new Moss grill fitted

g c pugh

and again new grill and new bumper from Anglo Parts also see Barneys site for more info

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/body/bd102.htm


regards gordon

g c pugh

I just ordered one from Little British Car Company, who have told me the supply the same grill as moss (same supplier), and is brass and triple plate but at a discount. $280 instead of $330.

I will try my luck when it arrives and if it does not fit, I will have to send it back.

The problem with my old one is that is has some blemished and small dents to I don't think it would look perfect even if re-chromed.
To me, the grill is one of the most important things to make the car look spot-on!

I'll keep you posted on the progress.
Gonzalo Ramos

Gonzalo, keep in mind that a quality re-plating of your old (original?) grille would include repair of all blemishes and dents.
G Goeppner

Just a heads up--the slats on those grilles are razor sharp, if you DO keep the new grille, you might consider running a file over the edges of the slats or else be VERY careful cleaning it...Learned that the hard way!
Jeremy Savage

I saw a mesh grille advertised recently in the new Moss catalogue. They look good in my opinion!
Mike

Mike Ellsmore

A better photo. Mike

Mike Ellsmore

When doing a restoration the chosen grill and the body are made to fit by manipulating BOTH components. This is the only way to get a perfect fit.
Having to fit a grill to a completed car can be an exercise in patience. Most repro grills will need a lot of work to get to look right. Repairing the original may make sense if the damage is not too great.
Grills come apart and slats are replaceable. The main shell is easier to fit disassembled. Once secured in place the other components can be added.
Make it fit BEFORE paint or you will scratch the paint.
R J Brown

RJ, how do you mount the main shell by itself to the body when the mountings are part of the slat assembly?
Lindsay Sampford

That is what I get for posting at 2 AM. You are right the shell can be shaped to fit by its self then assembled and installed.
R J Brown

I half thought that was what you meant RJ!
When I got my grille from Moss it came with an instruction leaflet that suggested using gel type 'Super Glue' to attach the plastic piping to the shell to ease assembly to the car. This works very well, but be very careful and sparing with the glue because if it gets on a bit of the piping that shows, it is impossible to remove. Take your time glueing it, proceeding two inches at at a time, wait for it to set, then do the next two inches. Cut 'V' notches out of the inside of the piping to ease it round the corners. I fitted my piping so that it went all the way round with a join at the bottom, but the 'correct' way is to stop the piping in line with the two bolts on the bottom of the grille shell, leaving a gap with no piping. Personally, I think it looks a bit 'naff' like that, and was BMCs way of saving on piping!
Lindsay Sampford

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2010 and 08/10/2010

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