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"grills" for rectangular front holes?

Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 4:13 pm
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.

Re: "grills" for rectangular front holes?

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:11 am
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.

Re: "grills" for rectangular front holes?

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:52 pm
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.

Re: "grills" for rectangular front holes?

Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:48 pm
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