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replacing fishmouth grill

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replacing fishmouth grill
#1
stevecupples Steve Cupples
Jackson, MS, USA   USA
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My 71 grill (fishmouth) is really beat up so I ordered a new one but the surround pieces and lower panel are not available and these are the pieces that really need replacing. I have read the posts about replacing the grill with a early grill but it seems this is not a good idea because of fitting issues and having to rebend the bonnet. Even the replacement grill from vb is not a good fit. I am pretty good at body work but these surround pieces are just too thin to really do much with. After spending $1000's on this restoration I hate putting this mess on the front of a really good looking car. Any ideas that may work without going thru all the described work required to the bonnet, I do have filler so I know it will crack which will ruin a beautiful custom paint job? Surly there must be a better way.

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#2
dagnarble Avatar
dagnarble Grant R
Mission, BC, Canada   CAN
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1974 MG MGB
Any clubs in area that could put you onto a donor car?

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#3
saanich2006 Avatar
saanich2006 Robert Browning
Atlanta, GA, USA   USA
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1968 Chevrolet Corvette
1973 MG MGB
It took me over two years collecting parts to build one complete good grill.

Your best bet is to watch Ebay. However, sometimes one will pop up on this forum for sale.

How is your bonnet strip - the edge piece on the front of the hood.

This is the really hard piece to find.


Oil leak?? What oil leak? That puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower!!

Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will itch and you'll have to pee.



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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#4
Gene S. Avatar
Gene S. Gene Soriano
Cranberry Township, PA, USA   USA
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1971 MG MGB
Has anyone ever called a Ferrari 250 GT California "Fish Mouth?" -just asking...drinking smiley

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#5
Flint Avatar
Flint Richard Conroy
Tucson, AZ, USA   USA
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1971 MG MGB "Maggie"
1978 MG MGB MkIV
See (enlarge) my avatar to see my fishmouth 71. I found fairly decent side and bottom parts, and made my own bonnet trim from the plastic chrome available from O'Reillys/Auto Zone/Pep Boys, etc. I also stripped the black paint from the grille comb and fitted an early plinth to suit the bonnet notch, and make it look more like an BG.

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#6
dfxit dennis lesuer
auburn, ME, USA   USA
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someone on this forum awhile back said he took his dented parts to a place that repaired musical insruments.they have all the tools to do a nice job.

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#7
trialsrider Avatar
trialsrider Silver Member Richard Bussler
South Williamsport, PA, USA   USA
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1959 MG MGA 1600 "Flipper"
1998 Triumph MC Adventurer
Hi Steve I have a grill and strip in fair shape I'll sell you

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#8
MGB567 Avatar
MGB567 Barrie Braxton
Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia   AUS
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1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler"
1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"
Some parts are still available according to here but I'm not sure which ones you're after. If you need the bonnet mould you need to search Mitch's posts here as he's DIYed and reported the process.


Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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Re: replacing fishmouth grill
#9
Donthuis Avatar
Donthuis Don van Riet
Rijswijk, ZH, Netherlands   NLD
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1972 MG MGB MkIII
I do prefer the fismouth/black hole one myself and mine is still in good shape. But before my restoration in 1986 I was not so sure about it and I remember being advised to change to the last grill type, the black mesh in case of trouble. It is still being reproduced and retains the black up front, albeit on a smaller surface.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-07-05 08:00 AM by Donthuis.

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