Ok I have a Dilemma.

I'm currently rebuilding/detailing Hetty, my 1976 Mini Clubman S. Originally they came with painted grills with silver accents on the horizontal vanes, sort of like this like this, but mine is more blackerer than standard without the accents......... Note the stone chips? Hence the reason I did what I have done in the next photo, following this one..




After an hours worth of work with paint stripper and a scrubby brush I've come up with this....... Initially I was just stripping it to paint but then a crazy idea popped into my head and I just had to see what this would look like, so out came the screw driver and some screws and a few minutes later this happened....

This is dummy fitted to the car so I know it does't line up right... Plus the latch mechanism hasn't been put back on the car yet so the bonnet doesn't close properly.



I know I still have to put the emblem back on, but I'm askin your opinions.. Do I repaint it black..... Or...... Leave it looking all shiny??

Oh and about that rim..... Well I was test fitting it to make sure everything cleared (I know, there is no reason why it shouldn't but it doesn't hurt to try these things, and I was trying to get and idea for a colour aswell.

I must admit I am quite keen to find what one would look like powdercoated , I am considering doing that for the Van
.

_________________

I think it looks pretty damn good without the paint on it.

_________________
ANY SEA ANY TIME

Well this is my car, so I guess you can say what my opinion would be?

_________________
"I'm sorry, but a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!"

After seeing the nekid grill in the sun, I'm leaning towards leaving it that way. Still not convinced yet but I also think black isn't an option, maybe colour coded to match the rest of her.. Hmmmmm decisions..

I've seen some grills that are painted body colour around on this forum, and while agree entirely with the adage "to each, his own"..........I think they're totally fuggers and you'll regret it.

Leave it naked

_________________
"I'm sorry, but a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!"

My vote is for the silver black combo. No need to re-invent the wheel. Professional designers would have been paid big money to get the balance of colours and contrasts right when these cars were made. Having said that, it's your car, your choice.

_________________
"Investing my Super in a Cooper" &
"Re-living my Surfing Past in a Woody"

No, they wouldn't. If 2 english pounds for the licensing of the Cooper name as too much, then I'm guessing there wasn't a lot of money for design input, especially in the UK during the 70s.

However, I'm fully with you in black with silver highlights. Also powdercoating is a pain to touch up if it gets chipped, which a grille is prone to.

go with that i rekon looks good

_________________
PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

imo by far the best looking clubby grille is the aussie "S" style

the mini clubman was professionally designed, and looked very modern in 1969.

dont forget the minis best year ever was 1971.

they dont look modern anymore, but i reckon 70's is very cool now, they're like mini muscle cars

fat jellybeans and a supercharger and you're set.

I painted by LS one matt black....





But in the end I wished I'd left it as it was....



[/img]

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Well it's only paint so I'll leave it in the buff for now and if I change my mind later I'll paint it.. I've changed my mind on so many colour choices now it's not funny, so what's one more?? Thanks for the input peoples Much apprieciated.

I'm a big fan of the shiney clubby grille, but only on the right car. I think it does suit your car but I won't be doing it on my current project.

If you want 70s cool, it must be painted with the shiney highlights. I totally agree with the Mini muscle car thing, a bit like an ol' Dodge Charger.

_________________
1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

Agree. The original leyland Mini S grille looks just the ticket IMO.

_________________
1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Can anyone please post link to a pic of the 'S' grille as a visual reference?

_________________
-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.