Mesh Grille Intrest Survey

I recently made a mesh grille to go behind my 348 grille. I never really liked the fact that the "fake" grille clearly went to nothing. With this in mind, I worked on a mesh grille that easily fits behind the factory grille to make it look more functional and finished. This grille installs very easily and only requires removing the two grille screws and then installing the mesh grille behind it. No modifications are needed and it really finishes off the front of the car.

The purpose of this post is to see how many would possibly be interested in grille like this. Also, please let me know if one is already offered.

I spoke to a guy today with a CNC machine and we are talking about making this a one piece simple bolt in, no modifiactions, piece. I am not looking to make money on the deal. Just wanted to know that if I produced it as an easy on/off piece, how many would want it.

If I get enough interest, I will hash out the details and find out the cost of materials and a total price for each unit. I can gaurantee it will be a non-ferrari price point.

Thanks and hope the pictures are ok to get the idea accross.
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I am pretty sure the Grille in the 355 are not the same dimensions as the 348. If someone close by would be willing to park there 355 in my garage for a day or two, I will rough a 355 version as well. Then the 355 guys could jump on board if the interest in there.

Just a thought and thanks.

 

I am meeting with the guy tonight with the template. I am hoping that we should be able to get them made and out the door for less than $50 - $75.00 a piece. This is a pure guess. I have no clue what the set up cost would be and per piece from the shop. I could make each one by hand but it would take forever, plus I would like the final product to have a real professional finsihed appearence.

My next question is, what do you guys think would be a reasonable price for something like this?

 

Excellent point and thank you for pointing that out. I will add this to the template when I meet with the shop tonight. I will also make sure to make it the right size so that a plug will fill the hole.

Once I meet with him tonight, I will attempt to get an average cost and will post same. If enough interest is shown, I will have him make a finished prototype, make sure it's fit and finish is right and tested. Then, I will have them made and ship them out to whomever wants one.

I will be finishing them in a black plastic coating. If other colors are needed, let me know and I will see what I can do. I am sure that black will fit most all the requests.

Thanks again.

 

I had a meeting with the shop about an hour ago. They have the prototype and are going to map it out first of next week. Of course, price depends on the qauntity...the more the cheaper, but I am postive the price will be very very reasonable. $50-$75.00 give or take a couple bucks.

The end product will be coated black, custom fit and ready to go. It will install without modification and will easily be removed.

As far as the tow hook hole goes. How many would really think this is needed? It does not look that good with the hole. The grille is removed with just two screws and, in the case a tow would be needed, it would be simple to get to. I just think it looks soooo much better without the hole. Also, the rubber tow hook plug would have to be left out to acces the hole through the grille. This would leave the hole opened for dirt. If the vast majority want it, I will make it work.

Otherwise I believe a final design should be ready by the end of next week, beginning/end of the following week.

I would like at least one volunteer to take one of the first grilles for a "testimonial". Whoever is interested would get the grille, install it and then review it for an independant opinion. Please let me know if anyone is interested in bieng the first "guinia pig". Before I make these and offer them to everyone, I want to make sure it installs as designed and looks good to someone other than me. First person who PM's me and is willing to do a detailed review, including pictures, gets the grille for free.

Thanks to everyone.

 

I will try to make it work. The thing is that the screen sits flush with the grille and the hole is pretty big. I am going to try to make it work for you.

Thanks.

 

I am also on the edge with the tow hook question. Adding it after could always be done but I am not sure how without butchering the grille. I am sure it can be done. With the ease of just two screws to remove the original grille and get access to the tow hook, in the event it was needed, seems pretty simple. Hell....I have had my grille off and on probably 30 times over the past two weeks and it is so easy. Also, leaving the tow hook hole open could introduce a whole host of dirt and grime inside that may affect the threads. Plus, the grille looks really nice without the hole.

In either case, the grille really looks nice behind the factory grille and the fact that it alters nothing from factory makes it a nice reversable addtion. I for one cannot wait to get the final, finsihed product in my hands.

Thanks to everyone who voted either way and all the encouraging posts, it has really been nice. This forum really does have a great group of "Ferrari-ites" that help each other out. Hopefully this can be my contribution.

 

The first finished protoype of the grille is done!!!! It looks great installed, requires only a screwdriver to install and looks totally factory. The mesh pattern is almost exactly the same pattern as the grille mesh used on the engine cover. I am thrilled with the end result.

I am sending one off to another FChat member next week for an independant installation opinion and then I will be offering them to everyone as long as all goes well.

I was going to sell them on Ebay and probably ask around $75.00. If the test works out well, I will sell the grille, which will include detailed instructions, to all the FChat members for $50.00 plus shipping.

I cannot beleive the amount of work it took to make such a seamingly simple product. But, unlike a piece of mesh cut in the shape of the grille, the final grille has a rolled edge and is contoured/concaved to fit the shape of the grille opening and fits perfect. It looks totally factory when installed.

I can offer the grille painted black or in aluminum which can be installed plain or painted to your liking.

I sure hope some of my fellow FChatters take a chance on the grille. I gaurantee you will love the look, fit and finish of the grille. And remember, for all the folks who are not crazy about modifying there F-Car, no drilling, no modifications and completely reversable in about 2 minutes.

I have attached a couple of pictures of the grille. A couple of the grille in black and not installed and a couple in silver installed on the car.

Thanks again to all.

George
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Here is a picture of the FINAL product. Two coats of black and three coates of clear. I intitially was using a "rubberized" paint but the finish just did not seem tough enough. So, out came the paint gun.

The final finish uses a "trim" type black paint which is pretty strong and then two coats of clear were applied. The finish looks beautiful and should be as strong as any automotive finish.

I tried to capture an image that gives an idea of the final finish.

This one pictured is getting shipped Monday and hopefully the independant review will be done by weeks end. If no changes or modifications are needed, they should be available the end of next week for sale. I would expect it would take about a week after payment is received to ship them out. I will ship Priortiy Mail so two-three days max door to door. So, they could be in the hands of whoever decides on it in about 8 to 10 days after the review is done and if all goes well (2 weeks from today).

I would start offering them now but think it is important that the independant reveiw is done. While I think it looks awesome and installs with ease, I want to make sure before I send them to you guys and you put them on your cars. Its a small delay but I beleive needed to be safe.

Thanks again,

George
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