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MG MGA - shroud and grill puzzle 2

And the shroud. (please forgive the welding, not finished yet)

M S Randell

Hi there
Put your fenders on to locate the lowest point of fender/shell contact. Then you will see, that tilting the panel horizontaly about the contact points the centre of grill opening will increas/decreas. Also keep in mind that the horizontal line /lines of fenders and bottom of rad opening must line up or your bumper will not fit. Lot of fun lining it up.

Martin
m zazvorka

I reported on this issue last year on a Mk II grille. It seems that someone has made a tool where the grille shells are too big.

My friend sourced two over our local supplier, both were exactly as you described - 1/2"too tall. I phoned around the usual suppliers in the UK, asking them to measure the grille before I ordered. Most were oversize. I eventually found one at Moss Bradford which was correct. I thought the quality of the repros was absolute rubbish in every case.

Maybe someone else has an original grille that is dismantled and can measure it. If what you have is not the correct dimensions, I suggest you reassemble it and return it for a refund. It may be hard to find one the correct size if the currently available lot are all from the same supplier.

dominic clancy

Martin,
FWIW, I have measured the opening on my 58 coupe (using your reference points), on the which the grille is currently removed. It measures 12.5 inches. An old, original, grill shell, slightly damaged, measures about the same and fits nicely. My new after-market grill is currently packed away, but I've fitted it and if fits great. I'd say 12.5 looks to be correct.
Good luck,
GTF
G T Foster

My old Mk.1 grille is I think a late 60s/early 70s repro. It is 12 1/8".

Steve
Steve Gyles

GTF
I did not refer to any dimensions, rather pointing out how to get to the dimension, what ever it may be. I was there and still have nightmares. There are not many nice fitting bumpers/the relation of bumper, rad plate and fenders does not look important untill fitting.

Martin
m zazvorka

Hi M.S.,
My steel (not brass) repro grill, which I have just had rechromed, measures 12 3/16". A Taiwan special still in the box measures 12 3/8" (this one is going back to the supplier). Both measurements are in a staight line across the back. Over the curved front they are over 13".
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Martin,
I mistakenly associated the name (Martin) with the initial (M S Randell) of the inital posting. That is the one I meant to reply to. My mistake.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

My original grill (pretty sure it is since the badge has J Fray on it and I have had it since 1975) (1960 1600) measures 12 3/8" across the back. It has been rechromed and straightened a bit but does fit the opening although it is tight to the top of the recess on the body with the piping in.
PS I have just found someone in Birmingham that can re-enamel the original badge.

John
John Francis

Thanks everyone for your replies. I guess I'll have to make it fit. I can't see how the top of the grill will fit into the recess however.
Cheers,
Matthew
M S Randell

My car had severe front damage sometime in the past and the new grill didn't even come close to fitting. I know some will cringe at this, but, I filled the recess making it flush with the body. The grill fits tight to the body with the piping glued to the back of the grill. No height, width, or corner radius problems. I've had lots of comments on how well my grill fits. I just smile and say "thanks". It's the MK-II on the right in the photo.

Ed Bell

This thread was discussed between 18/04/2010 and 20/04/2010

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