"grills" for rectangular front holes?

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Barjavel
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2021 12:43 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat 2000

"grills" for rectangular front holes?

Post by Barjavel »

My 1981 "2000" is at the painter's. I removed the tubular bumpers and will replace with the AR chrome blade-style bumpers.

My body guy didn't want to fill the gaping rectangular holes in the front fender because he was worried the heat would warp things. He recommended I look for plastic caps to fill the space, or little grills or similar.

I know from searching this forum that what to do with the rectangular holes is a recurrent point of discussion. At one point someone seems to have been selling an insert to fill the holes over Facebook, but I can't find the post anymore.

Does anyone have any ideas for a current source for such a thing? I'm surprised the main suppliers haven't "invented" something like this, surely people like me would pay $100 for an easy and sufficiently elegant solution.
TheBender
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 220
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 1:57 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider

Re: "grills" for rectangular front holes?

Post by TheBender »

Grittracing on FB sells kits, but not sure if it’s what you’re looking for as the rectangular fillers are set up for a turn signal. There’s some people starting to 3D print plugs to fit but haven’t seen anyone advertising or selling. Might be able to do a search as some are posting the design files. Too bad your body shop guy didn’t want to do it, that’s the absolute best way to address it by far.
TX82FIAT
Posts: 1814
Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

Re: "grills" for rectangular front holes?

Post by TX82FIAT »

As bender mentioned, grittracing was selling a kit. I installed the kit on my car and like it because it fits Harly Davison bullet style motorcycle turn signals. If you are installing complete retro chrome bumpers this may not work as the bumper will obscure the turn signal. With that said, you could create a mold and make your own fiberglass hole fill. Sand it to the perfect size and fit and paint it a gloss black or have your Bodyshop guy paint it the color of the car and use some epoxy to attach to the inside of the body.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
Anbele
Posts: 179
Joined: Fri May 21, 2021 8:36 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000 CS2

Re: "grills" for rectangular front holes?

Post by Anbele »

I guess another option you might try is to find the “chrome stone guards” that at some point where sold to cover the square headlights that were used in the 80s/early 90s. You pbb will have to trim them a bit but I think these will give you a sporty look.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275468715655?m ... media=COPY
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