Identifying a facelift 4200 front end

[Dan B]

Ok, so I'm new to this, but from scouring the adds would I be correct in thinking that the differences are:

The front grill is taller than the pre facelift cars - I have noticed later cars the number plate seems to encroach on the grill.
Additionally on the older cars the chrome trim at the top where it points down towards the trident seems to be solid chrome right at the top, where as later cars the width of the stripe is uniform all way round -
And finally, is it my eyes or do the cars with a taller grille and different surround also have a slightly wider and thinner trident badge? As these 2 pics will demonstrate I hope....

Is that it at the front end?

 

[safrane]

Simple thing is face lift = plastic stuck on trident
First gen, revised and 3200 had a proper chrome grill with a free standing trident.

 

[Dan B]

Thanks Safrane, now you say it I can see it on the two pics!

 

[safrane]

Red car has had the grill bit replaced with chrome mesh...looks too blingy in my eyes as it should be matt black which enhances the lovely chrome trident.

 

[allandwf]

The original grill is set deeper too. I prefer it over the facelift. When I bought mine someone had fitted chrome mesh, returned it to black. Better in my opinion, but everyone is different.

 

[BennyD]

Also, the original face-lift had 3 or 4 horizontal slats instead of a mesh grille which, IMO, looked awful. And still does. The face lift front bumper was very similar to the GS front bumper apart from the 'chin' spoiler, which was slightly deeper on the GS.

 

[mjheathcote]

The earlier cars are more classic with the smaller mouth and solid trident supported from the bottom. Also notice the bumper is one piece.
The later facelift as well as the bigger mouth, plastic cheap trident, has a two piece bumper, the bottom section being deeper on the GS.
Also notice the difference in the lights, the facelift/GS they decided to add silver cowls to the projector headlights, bling bling!

 

[Spartacus]

I much prefers the later facelift . Including the black plastic grille . Think it looks much more up to date and less blingy! But everyone is different

 

[Andyk]

Dan this is the original face lift grill....the one Gransport looking one on the black car was an option but later standard on the last cars bought out...

 

[Andyk]

Also a rear bumper on the face lift car is different to the early 4200 also....Black car is the face lift Dan....

 

[safrane]

Dan this is the original face lift grill....the one Gransport looking one on the black car was an option but later standard on the last cars bought out...

Oh...my second 4200...I modified the front end of that to be a GS type. New grill and chin splitter.

 

[P5Nij]

As a newbie to all this I'm still confused about what's what, but that red car in Dan's first post looks absolutley bloody gorgeous!

It seems that no two 3200s or 4200s are alike...