I was thinking of replacing my old grille with a shiny new one. Looking online I can't find a replacement to match the current grille, do they make them?

I'm trying to keep my Van original so I would ideally keep the grille the same.

As shown below it's not beyond repair, does anyone know what it would cost to have it re-chromed?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

they are found on 850s too if that's of any help

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

The Morris 850 grill has been unavailable for many years, and they are quite fiddly to repair because of all the awkward corners and angles on them. There are a couple of specialists trim repairers around who could straighten it and even replace the missing bar, before re-chroming it, but it wouldn't be cheap.

You're probably better off trying to find a better one to start with and having it rechromed. Another option might be spray chrome (not the silver paint out of a can).

I'm feeling a bit smug because the grille for my Traveller is painted, not chromed, and its not badly rusted, so the paint prep will be much more straight forward.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Before getting into the Mini spares and repairs business John Smidt was an electroplater, following in his father's footsteps. He explained to me the problems with getting the 'chrome' to distribute evenly when plating the 850 grille. If you look at the depressions in the rear of the grille you may notice an uneven coating compared to the raised sections.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

BUT DID A MINI K VAN HAVE AN 850 GRILL ? No one picked it !

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

Yes, the vans had the 850 grille.

Mini K Van newspaper clipping

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/aussie ... 259405655/

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I've noticed that. The backs of them, especially in behind the 'flaps' that are pressed inwards, are often much rustier than the exposed outside bits. Unfortunately, when it comes to cleaning them up for replating or painting this is also the hardest area to get into. They are full of sharp edges and crevices.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

http://www.decorengineering.com.au/vacu ... lizing.htm Interesting process

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Nick

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=86675

"BUT DID A MINI K VAN HAVE AN 850 GRILL ? No one picked it !"

Nothing to pick. That is why I said that they are avaiable on 850s too.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

Give this mob a call...

Looks good, does anyone have an email address or a website for them?

A question for the Aussie 850 cognoscenti; how long did Australian 850s get painted grilles for? I believe the UK models stopped using painted grilles in 1961 so I suspect only the very oldest Australian assembled cars got them.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

I bet John Smidt would have known them.

I'd be interested to know this too. The latest I've seen is car 5093 (recently re-listed on eBay).
Has anyone seen one later?

Evan