There has to be a thick mesh that can be used. Out of all the pictures that have been floated out there, they all can't be plastic! Maybe we are looking into the wrong thing and should be looking into getting a plastic grill. If it looks good I don't care if it's plastic or metal!

 

As strange as it sounds an injection molded plastic grill would be mega bucks due to the tooling. The tooling costs would be prohibitive for a small production run, and you would then to plate it too. I am designing a small plastic enclosure at work at the moment and the tooling for that is circa 4000 GBP, and that's cheap! There are various rapid prototyping/low volume processes but the resins tend to be less durable and usually need hand fettling. Good to see people thinking laterally though!

 

Today I got to talk to the fabricator once again. More details on the stainless steel mesh is that it will be a "woven" type. I believe the CTS-V has the same style of mesh on it's grills. Even better is that he will go ahead and try a grille with NO RIBS!!!!! Basically, it should look very similar to a CTS-V grille. It will also have a THIN (I hope it's tastefully thin) outer frame for support (which, once again, will look like a CTS-V).

The downside is that the grille will not be on my car and ready for pics until probably late next week or the week after when the grille will be shipped to me. I will try to get some pics of the grille before installation.

 

Thanks for the update. Keep in contact with him! Don't let him "forget" that he has committed to doing this job for you. We all look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

I am interested in your grille.

 

i'd like to see it!!! i'm looking for one!!!

 

Before taking orders, I would like to have pictures up on this page to show everyone the final product. If anyone has valid interest at this point in this grille, please pm me. Please also let me know if you would be interested in lower grilles in the pm as well.

 

New Bentley Azure grille:



Nice, isn't it?

 

Update #4...The fabricator has seem to have received the mesh. I am hoping by late next week it will be done.

 

I can't wait to see the end result.

 

Bump for golfdude -- any new update for us yet? Thanks.

 

I honestly wish I had something to say. The last time I talked to the people, which was on Monday of this week, he said the grille was going to the chromers. I am still waiting for it to be shipped. This time issue will be resolved at all costs before official selling of the product. I might just switch manufacturers if necessary.

 

Another update...I was able to contact the fabricator, and he said that the reason for the delay is due to the fact that his supplier has increased the price of materials by triple the price that he estimated! I don't know about anyone here, but I really don't want to spend $900 on a grille! He will get back to me this Friday if he can find another vendor for the materials. If this does not work, I will look elsewhere...I WILL HAVE THIS DONE!!! Trust me, I want this done asap, but, I do also have patience that will probably be rewarded...I'm basically not giving up at all!!

 

LOL. I'm sick of these manufacturers raping us with this bullsh*t. I can get a 300C grill for $350 or even a set of Ferrari fog lamps for $450. Gimme a fudgin break. Man its getting really frustrating that these people think we're idiots.

 

I know how frustrating all this is, but the cost is not for the individual piece. It is about the initial piece. Design, fabrication and materials all cost a lot more for the first one. As volume goes up costs go down.

There are a lot of 300s out there so the cost comes down. If the fabricator could come up with a good mockup that definite orders could be placed against it, the fabricator could spread the costs over that batch lowering each individual's cost.

There are a lot of unseen costs involved pre-production as well. Things like long distance phone calls and even the same frustration we feel when those fabricators don't get back to us. They also make phone calls to raw material suppliers who don't always answer the phone or call back in a timely manner.

I went through this on a small scale getting the dash and engine plaques done. My long distance, design, setup and S&H costs far exceeded the $18.50 I charged. Had I only had one part made, those plates would have cost somewhere in the range of $60 - $75 each.

The key is getting a design that many will be willing to pay for. CTD was on the right track, but it appears they lost interest.

 

Alrighty...sorry for the delay but no grille will be made by that fabricator at this point...the fabricator could not find a supplier of good mesh for a price I want. I will be searching around my area for someone to get it done. BUT, I will contact the fabricator once more to ask him how many grilles would be necessary to reduce the price to a more reasonable level, via economies of scale.

 

This is incredible. Are these places mickey mouse? I was just at Mimi Dragone classic cars yesterday where they refurbish million dollar classic cars and they had mesh all over the place. Heavy duty old rolls royce mesh. I asked if I could buy some and he said you have to order it from car restoration catalogs.

But this stuff was stainless steel, much heavier than the garbage rice mesh people are trying to use and not expensive. WTF is going on with these people and this car? UGH