Replacement of front trident badge 3200gt

[Ben3200gt]

Evening all,

Recently bought a new trident badge to fit on my 3200Gt (mounted to the grille surround); anyone any experience in doing this? Does the whole bumper need to be removed to get in to the under side screw to fix in the badge, or can it be accessed without?

If the bumper has got to come off, any one any experience in doing this? There seems to be 4 screws at the top (underneath the grille) which I presumed once removed would allow you to pull forward the grille surround thus giving access to the under badge screw point, but so far now joy.

Any comments appreciated! Cheers -

Ben

 

[Parisien]

Ben, search for grill...there is a write up for its removal..........DO NOT remove the bumper.........clear?!!!!!!


Its a wrestling match......prep the nuts and catches first...ie WD40.........


P

 

[Ben3200gt]

Thanks Parisien,

Will amend my search criteria and get it found!! As always - thanks for the prompt response!!

Ben

 

[Emtee]

Can't speak with certainty on the 3200, but on the 4200 the bumper does not need to be removed. Look on the upper inside edge of the grille surround and the screws are there. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN REMOVING THE SCREWS AS IF YOU SLIP YOU'LL SCORE THE CHROME. Once the full grille with mesh and trident is removed, the trident is just a screw behind the lower edge of the surround. If you want to fettle the mesh whilst you've got it removed, then it's the perfect time, but use plenty of WD40, as the fixing screws aren't galvanised and do get rusted up.

 

[Parisien]

Good point Miles....plus line the inner part of bumper with masking tape to stop it scratching the bumper as you pull it forward......3200....hhhhmmmmmmm


P

 

[Emtee]

Good point Miles....plus line the inner part of bumper with masking tape to stop it scratching the bumper as you pull it forward......3200....hhhhmmmmmmm


P

Thanks P, should have mentioned that also. Sage advice.

 

[Parisien]

...yeah...but...yeah but...should have noticed its a 3200 grill.....unknown territory Miles!


P

 

[Emtee]

...yeah...but...yeah but...should have noticed its a 3200 grill.....unknown territory Miles!


P

Absolutely P. As per my original post, I'm commenting on the 4200 and guessing it may be the same on the 3200.

 

[Rudy]

4200 got that oval Maserati badge on front hood near the nose, but not on 3200, same fitting??? or not possible for 3200!

 

[Ben3200gt]

Cheers gents - as always, a question asked on these forums = a couple of hours later all the answers in place!! Believe the 3200 is the same, or certainly very similar to the 4200 as far as the grille and trident mount are concerned. I have a very experienced mechanic friend dedicating his days to working on/restoring the 3200gt to her absolute best whilst I work to try and pay for it!! He removed the 4 screws but the grill was still resisting and without being 100% certain that there were no further hidden securing brackets, he didnt want to be overly aggresive in his efforts to take it out. Now he can be sure he was on the right tracks, I'm sure it will be off in a matter of minutes. Just got my alloys back from a total sandblasting/repainting etc, plus the wheel nuts have just been returned from the rechromers.... hopefully another week and she'll be back on the road looking as close to factory condition as I can get her!! That big Maserati grin is starting to find my face again.... been borrowing a friends old Audi 80 for the past 2 weeks whilst working on the Maser, getting back in her cant come quick enough!!

 

[Parisien]

Excellent news Ben......do post up a few pics when shes looking her finest!

Enjoy


P

 

[Ben3200gt]

You have my word Parisien; hopefully not long to go now.... want to do justice to her so her photos wont be gracing anyone's eyes until I feel like I can do (or afford!) no more

Have a good weekend -

Ben

 

[Emtee]

He removed the 4 screws but the grill was still resisting and without being 100% certain that there were no further hidden securing brackets, he didnt want to be overly aggresive in his efforts to take it out.

Hi Ben, if this is the case, PLEASE ask your mechanic to mask the bumper around the grill, and mask it thoroughly. He could also try gently pushing it, rather than pulling it, as there is space behind the grill and this will allow it to be loosened without risk of damage to the paint-work.

 

[dem maser]

should have posted this earlier.....

you dont need to remove the bumper to change the grill......

i have a new grill and badge waiting to go on..........

 

[Mr.Cambio]

On the 4200, what is needed for the grill + frame to regain the factory appearance?

 

[RSM Masser]

The wire grille is held in with 4 torpedo type fixings at the bottom, they are a b****r to get apart without damaging something, once removed the Trident badge is held in place by a big screw and a washer, while its removed I sprayed the wire grille with silver paint - a lot cheaper than the stainless steel option and looks nearly as good.
Do a search on here or front grille removal, Spike 62 did the grille respray, try also radiator removal, the grille needs tobe removed for this also

 

[Ben3200gt]

Cheers RSM; gave it a bit more time and eventually, with lots of masking tape and some gentle persuasion it came out fine. Sprayed the wire grille whilst it was out with silver as I'd seen a couple of others suggest it, and as you suggest - it looks a lot better than the original black chicken wire!! Will be back on the car by the weekend and then she's pretty much finished! Owned it for almost 4 weeks now and I've had it off the road for the past 3.5 tidying up all her minor, prior cosmetic faults. No doubt after the final polish this weekend, the skies will open and dump a load of snow about Yorkshire - fingers crossed I get a little driving in before it inevitably arrives!

 

[RSM Masser]

Nearly 400bhp, snow and ice - not a good mix - please visit my profile pictures to see what happens when caught out un aware!

 

[Ben3200gt]

Not a good mix at all!! One I dont plan on making too many times, that I can be sure of! Will take an anxious look at your profile photos in a mo ... already concerned as to what I'm going to see!! The sight of a poorly/damaged Maserati is never a good sight....

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Unscrewed the four screws, but it was difficult to pull the frame forward. I'll use some tape round the painting and try it again.