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MG Midget and Sprite General - Replacement Grille

The grille of my late '72 Midget has seen (far) better days, and is broken in several places. I looked at the cost of replacements and, once I'd finished laughing, thought I'd ask if anyone has made up an alternative using steel mesh or something?

Any thoughts or advice on how you went about it? I realise originality will be compromised, but there's a lot not original about mine already, so I'm not too fussed.

Thanks,

OSM.
OrangeSpyderMan

good used ones do come up on ebay from time to time, and usually go for GBP50 to 80 which is a very good saving on new.
David Smith

Wait for Prop he'll have loads of ideas, chicken wire ect. :)

I've seen a few photos of late c/b Midgets with grilles in a chrome or s/s looking finish instead of the painted matt black finish, don't know what they cost though
Nigel At

I remember someone building an updated version of an early slatted grill with solid ally bars to fit on his late car

Was it Bob T?

Looked very good anyway
Bill 1

Bill the ones I've seen photos of look the same pattern as the 70s 1275s

gives it an almost Sprite grille look at first glance
Nigel At

on ebay some company does sell a new designed chrome midget/sprite grille they were at midget 50 and i think they are around £70 £80 ish and look quite good. not good for going original but good looking. think with brackets in same places aswell.
D Sartain

osm
just had same problem, couldnt get s/hand one anywhere. i am experimenting at the moment and got this polished aluminium diamond mesh. i think i quite like it,what do you think.
bob.

bob taylor

another.

got the same problem trying to get chrome rear quarter bumpers. anyone got any.
bob.

bob taylor

I made one out of a fire guard which I found. It only took 10 minutes to make and fit with chalk, cable ties and tin snips.
I would have liked to make it out of expanded steel mesh, but nowhere seems to sell it (The stuff under ironing boards is useless, if you were considering it).

BH Harvey

That's the kind of thing I was wondered about, Bob. How did you fix it on?

OSM.
OrangeSpyderMan

osm.
i made the grill about 1 and a half inches higher, bent it along the top edge and secured along the original holes.to edge it i got a flexable 2 core electric cable and stripped wire out and it slotted on around the edge to finish it off. if you want a photo i can get one tomorrow and put it on
bob
bob taylor

No - that's fine, I get the idea, thanks. Might have a play - cheap enough to try...

Is the grille stiff - as the alu mesh I've find strikes me as "floppy" ? :/

OrangeSpyderMan

the one i got has only small holes but is quite stiff enough. i put 2 small clips at the bottom just to be safe but does the job i think.
bob.
i got it from ebay from autoperformanceonline.
bob taylor

Ashley Hinton (often on ebay) make a stainless version of the sprite mesh grill, don't know about price but they are usually not too expensive.
Graham.
Graham P 1330 Frogeye

<<got the same problem trying to get chrome rear quarter bumpers. anyone got any>>

Bob

I've got some in satin black, if you're interested?

I've also got a fairly reasonable grill if anyone else is interested?
Dave O'Neill 2

hi dave,
you say satin black,were they made that way or are they chrome underneath.
thanks bob.
bob taylor

As Bill said, I made a jig up and made a grille using horizontal tubes tack welded to two upright bars.
In my avatar pic to the left...
I've still got the jig if anybody wants one made up.
Bob T

I've got one of those Ashley Hinton ones, I really like it. I got the proper badge carrier, etc for it and it came to £85 delivered, or there abouts.
Pic attached!

-Craig

C Robertson

Bob

They were originally chrome but were painted satin black. They were fitted to one of my race Midgets in a series where bumpers were mandatory, but were removed when I raced with FISC.
Dave O'Neill 2

the front grill from a rover 200 fits niceley, some bits of aluminuim window surrounds and some brackets to bolt to the original places. total cost of £0 :)

http://robsmidget.co.uk/modifications/body-modifications

Rob Armstrong

dave,
im interested in the bumpers, sounds like i might be able to strip them back. how much do you require for these. you can e mail me direct at r.taylor2@talk21.com

i am unable to get to computer for the rest of tonight but will be back tomorrow.
thanks dave.
bob.
bob taylor

Thanks for all of the advice folks - and good photos. I have found the stainless ones on eBay, but shipped to FR it'll still cost a bit.

I'd have paid more willingly if the mesh was octagon shaped too :)

Seriously - I'll keep that in mind and have a look what kind of mesh I can locate to have a bash at one on the cheap first - I'd quite fancy a black one rather than metallic.

Great help, folks, thanks again

OSM
OrangeSpyderMan

If the outer section of the grill is still intact then you can pop rivet a bit of mesh into the center that will work fine and a little flat black paint will finish the bit nicely. I found an aluminum gutter cover for less than $5 that fit nicely and I was able to trim it out easily to fit around my driving lamps.

B Young

Looks good too, and confirms my thoughts about black too. I wondered about riveting mesh into the surround, but mine's as poor as the rest of it.

I'll have a fiddle next week and see what I can get/salvage.

Again, many thanks,

OSM.
OrangeSpyderMan

OSM

Where in France are you?

I'll be travelling over in a couple of weeks and can bring bits and pieces with me.

Starting in Normandy and may be travelling further south, depending on weather.
Dave O'Neill 2

Hi Dave,

I'm in the South of the Mayenne department, 20kms south of Laval.

That's a very kind offer - if you are somewhere near there, I might take you up on that offer, and you're welcome to drop in for a pint or cup of coffee (according to time of day :) ).
OrangeSpyderMan

Here's mine. It came as just the inner part, so you have to use your outer grille frame, but it has all the clips to do the job. It looks better in flesh than on the pic which seems to distort a little.

Bernie.

b higginson

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2011 and 09/08/2011

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