I have been thinking for a long time about replacing my severely dented front grille. Many people have commented that I need a new one In fact all the chrome work on Lillee needs reviewing but mainly the bumper and front grille will make her look as good as she goes

Anyhow the only reason I've been holding off is the price of a new grille! circa $300 for 7 slats of metal

So I thought heck, what about some of that ricey mesh material?! Must be pretty cheap and it would work (allows air into the engine) and it would probably look better than a boofed up grille.

But would that look dicky? I like the fact that she's stock looking. Before you vote keep this in mind:

1) it would be probably a fraction of the cost of a new grille
2) damage would mean cheap replacement
3) would work just as well as a grille? at supplying cold air to the engine bay
4) No mods required so and since I have Grille Buttons it's a 3 min job to go back to a grille for those concourse events

What do you think? anyone done this before? anyone have pics of a roundie with a mesh grille? VOTE NOW!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Hunt down a cheap(er) second hand one

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Your silliness has been noted.

I had to vote for the beer!!! Personally I'd buy the mesh if it looks crap take it off and buy a proper grille.

Is it still classed as ricer when you find out it was a 60's speed accesory for mini's to be fitted with a mesh grille for better airflow ???? I'll try and find the magazine with the ad in it and scan it ...

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Typical .... I can only find an ad but not the glowing artical about the "performance enhancing high flow mesh grille " ..... The pic in the ad isn't too bad but personally I think the distributer guard is too big , then again they made it for UK conditions

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Show me a pic of a mini with a ricer grill please.

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Roundies Rule !!!

I actually did that because there was some reason that I didn't have access to an original grill. So I went down to super scrap and bought some mesh for $30 and put that in. Didn't take long and looked heaps better than leaving a big hole in the front of the car. I didn't like it so as soon as I got my original grille back it was replaced quick smart!

I still have it - will post pics of it in a moment.

Chong, if you ask really nice I'll go to the effort of putting it in my car and taking pics for you to see if you like it.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Where is the DIY chicken wire grille option in the poll?

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

I had one of those grills years ago, it had a large enamel golden M in the middle on a red background. I sold it for like 20 bucks or soemthing, it was pretty well new... ..

Mind you I could have kept it for all these years cluttering up the garage and maybe then sold it for 40 or so, oh well...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Here's a pic of the grille that was in my car.

I'm sure it added about 10hp and 5N.m too

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Of course it adds performance , look what the mesh grille did to this one ....

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I need to do the same thing, though I am going to use a Rover grille.

Search for the pics posted by Josh of Borgy's grille. It is exactly what you're after and I reckon it looks tops. I think the need to do it in order to fit the turbo behind it. Or it could be just to get cool air into the bay, who knows.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

well there ya go....

period 'hectic bling....bros'

So you're saying that 1) it's a period mod(!!!) and 2) it's cheap and easy to do?

hrmmm

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

On second thoughts... I hope you don't want to drive this car in the rain?

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.