general_piffle
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After a mere 5 years of searching and trying all of my Ghibli contacts (US, UK, Japan, Italy, Holland, Germany) I've finally stumbled across a superb condition complete front grille, now on its way from Italy.
So, for my next project I'm going to start looking into recreating these, using either 3D printing or cast/mould, whichever has the best combo of quality/cost-effectiveness/practicality.
The thing with these grilles, apart from them being rarer than unicorn horns, is that because of their location right at the front of the car and being plastic that's been exposed to UV/elements etc. for 20+ years they're often damaged. Slats break easily, have been broken and glued back in place, or can be missing chunks. The oval surround trident badges are still available and bolt into a recess in the slats. This recess is unique for either the 'trident on its own' badge of the earlier Ghiblis, and the 'trident in an oval' of the later GT onward Ghiblis. So, it's not a 'one size fits all'.
If I'm able to recreate them well enough they'll be a limited run. I can't imagine ever producing more than say 50, or even less. Cost will of course be a consideration, but I'd take the same approach to the wheel centre caps. This was to invest whatever was needed up front myself, then recoup that by selling the finished article, with anything extra a bonus.
I'll update this thread as and when there's a development, but with all the other commitments it'll probably be a slow burner!
So, for my next project I'm going to start looking into recreating these, using either 3D printing or cast/mould, whichever has the best combo of quality/cost-effectiveness/practicality.
The thing with these grilles, apart from them being rarer than unicorn horns, is that because of their location right at the front of the car and being plastic that's been exposed to UV/elements etc. for 20+ years they're often damaged. Slats break easily, have been broken and glued back in place, or can be missing chunks. The oval surround trident badges are still available and bolt into a recess in the slats. This recess is unique for either the 'trident on its own' badge of the earlier Ghiblis, and the 'trident in an oval' of the later GT onward Ghiblis. So, it's not a 'one size fits all'.
If I'm able to recreate them well enough they'll be a limited run. I can't imagine ever producing more than say 50, or even less. Cost will of course be a consideration, but I'd take the same approach to the wheel centre caps. This was to invest whatever was needed up front myself, then recoup that by selling the finished article, with anything extra a bonus.
I'll update this thread as and when there's a development, but with all the other commitments it'll probably be a slow burner!
