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Grille (stud fixing) - click for larger size

Radiator Grille

August 2006 (Correction)

My original method of attaching the radiator grille to the cowling (see body section) involved building up pedestals of fibreglass resin inside the cowling and using self tapping screws into these.

I found that there are two problems with this arrangement. The first is that the screws loosen with the vibration of the car, even after using shake-proof or sprung washers. The second is that it is almost impossible to re-tighten the lower fixings without removing the cowling which is quite a major job and one to be avoided.

Grille (bottom fixing) - click for larger size The reason for the difficulty is that the front chassis cross rail lies only a couple of inches behind the lower fixings and, even with the radiator partially removed, it is only just possible to use a small right-angled driver and usually with only one hand - very awkward indeed.

My solution was to alter the top fixings to studs in the fibreglass with nuts and washers to hold the grille (I will do the same at the bottom if I remember, should I ever remove the cowling for anything else). At the bottom, I have used an exhaust type clamp around the steering rack with a made up metal strip to press against the centre of the grille thus pushing it against the cowling. The grille was also slightly flattened so that the outer edges are sprung firmly against the cowling.

There also appears to be a third (only cosmetic) problem with the grille in that it quickly becomes rusty brown. This can be fairly successfully cleaned with a soft wire brush (like a spark plug or suede brush) but clearly the quality of the chrome on this batch of grilles must have been suspect. I hope to obtain a stainless steel replacement in due course!


Grille (revised bottom fixing) - click for larger size

Stainless Grille & Cowl Re-spray (April 2008)

I eventually found some stainless steel mesh (after some searching) but it was still not quite what I wanted. Finally NG (Findhorn Cars) had some stainless steel grilles made in the original design so I purchased one. The cowl also had an annoying little blemish where the GRP was beginning to de-laminate so I decided the NG should have a full nose job.

New stainless grille - click for larger size I removed the cowl which entailed removing bonnet, headlamps, spot lamps, etc. The studs I had previously made for the top fixings had not reliably held so this time I re-drilled and glassed the studs in with resin and did the same for the bottom fixings. I then arranged for the cowl to be repaired and re-sprayed. The stainless grille was then fixed to the cowl using nyloc nuts on the studs and everything re-assembled to give a fresh unblemished front end.


Badge bar badges - click for larger size

Badge Bar Badges (September 2008)

Having been given a lovely old style AA badge by my wife’s uncle some time ago, I finally got around to mounting this, together with an RAC badge to keep it company. I also mounted an MG Owners Club badge and may add further to this.


Grille Chrome Plated(August 2009)

Chromed grille - click for larger size Despite my best attempts to install a long lasting grille, a light rusting had dulled the appearance once more (see badges photo). At least the new fixing method works as the grille had not worked loose and it was fairly easy to remove once the radiator mountings were released. Testing showed the grille to be magnetic and so either a very low grade stainless steel or perhaps not stainless at all. I decided to get it chromed but was told that it could not be done if it was stainless.

In the event it turned out to be non-stainless steel plated with perhaps nickel and lacquered. The plater managed to clean it up sufficiently to chrome it and now it is lovely and shiny and re-installed. Time will tell how long it lasts this time!


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