Any advice from the Spyder guys on this?

count your slots.  Ours should be closer to the TR since they used our old Gen 1 molds, BUT may not be exact, Vintage changed theirs to have more slats.

@chines1 posted:

count your slots.  Ours should be closer to the TR since they used our old Gen 1 molds, BUT may not be exact, Vintage changed theirs to have more slats.

Thank you, Carey.  Will do. 

Count your slots, always a good idea in life.

@Panhandle Bob posted:

Count your slots, always a good idea in life.

Indeed, one's own slots are important. 

I looked at those and decided the best course of action was to cut my car's grill slots myself, as I needed access through the front anyway to install the frame extensions for the jack points. I used a jigsaw and a step drill, then glassed in an aluminum "lip" and nut-certed it to give something to screw the now-functional grill into. Took about five hours and cost about $15 all-up. YMMV

currently:

Fibersteel has them made from aluminum.

https://fibersteel.com/collect...grill-kit-550-spyder

They're not cheap, but it would look cool raw.

@edsnova posted:

I looked at those and decided the best course of action was to cut my car's grill slots myself, as I needed access through the front anyway to install the frame extensions for the jack points. I used a jigsaw and a step drill, then glassed in an aluminum "lip" and nut-certed it to give something to screw the now-functional grill into. Took about five hours and cost about $15 all-up. YMMV

currently:

Outstanding work, Ed!  I was curious to hear how you did yours.  🙂

@Carlos G posted:

Fibersteel has them made from aluminum.

https://fibersteel.com/collect...grill-kit-550-spyder

They're not cheap, but it would look cool raw.

I saw those, too, Carlos.  And yes, they’re spendy compared to the two I’m looking at.  Raw would look very cool, but I must admit my OCD tendencies wouldn’t be able to stand it!

Some of the originals deleted the grill in favor of the shark mouth. I've yet to see a replica so finished.

I like the look of the shark mouth. I'd do that if I had a cooler up front. My cooler is out back in the conventional Vintage location.

Since I'm far from "Lets-make-my-Spyder-look-like-a-real-one camp", I had another idea for that front area.

It would be the same basic shape, made from aluminum, except it'd have a driving light on either end and the number of slats for the faux grill would be reduced to fit between them.

Better yet, lasers would shoot out and melt the tires of anyone in the way. But if the alternator can't handle an electric heater, then it might not handle a couple of lasers.

Who knows. It's just a full sized toy car.

@Carlos G posted:

I like the look of the shark mouth. I'd do that if I had a cooler up front. My cooler is out back in the conventional Vintage location.

Since I'm far from "Lets-make-my-Spyder-look-like-a-real-one camp", I had another idea for that front area.

It would be the same basic shape, made from aluminum, except it'd have a driving light on either end and the number of slats for the faux grill would be reduced to fit between them.

Better yet, lasers would shoot out and melt the tires of anyone in the way. But if the alternator can't handle an electric heater, then it might not handle a couple of lasers.

Who knows. It's just a full sized toy car.

I love it!  😁

If you have something to keep cool in the front hatch (laser) ...put in a grill...otherwise a steady hand and a Sharpie, descries a simpler approach !

ReV

@R Vosari posted:

If you have something to keep cool in the front hatch (laser) ...put in a grill...otherwise a steady hand and a Sharpie, descries a simpler approach !

ReV

I did initially think about painting those slots before getting set on the faux grille cover.  Seeing yours makes me think I should try it first.  I might do it!

The other day I think In the CARCADIA C & C,  I posted a photo of a red car with a grill shape similar grill to the Spyder  and it had Shark teeth on/in  it.   I took the photo because I thought it was unique and balsy !  It may have been a Miata.  I already deleted the photo so if you want to see it, I guess ya go to that post on here....Bruce

The CARCADIA C & C shark grill is in a dark blue car, not red.  

Anyway my thoughts were that first, I do like it, second, I'd like to put it in my car...but.....I don't have the sand to do it !  Plus sharks teeth wouldn't fit,  blend,  contribute, connect or present anything more to my desired appearance of this car.

So... Right back where I started......What to do for a different/unique grill piece for my Spyder ???................Bruce

Bruce, are you building a car, or are you building a cartoon?

Every single custom touch you add, adds more time. Haven't you waited long enough?

You are free to do whatever you want, we have a big tent here, and there is no limit to what you can build.

But maybe just think for a second about how few Spyders are out there. You will already have something unique and special. I'll bet yours is one of the only ones with a red frame, if not the only one.

Danny.....Not a Car-Toon for sure, hence, no shark grill, just a red  frame. I just like the shark grill and for someone  to install it in their car is great. More than likely I won't do a thing to the grill because I like it the way it is.  In my mind, I could care less (but I don't) about how many bars are in the Spyder grill  One thing for sure.  I will never stop dreaming about things I'd like to build nor run out of things to build.  Also to continue to admire what others do with their cars.

Yes, Danny, I do think that he Spyder is a very "rare bird" indeed.  It's likely nobody on my block has one. Perhaps even in my City !   I plan on being sure to not blaspheme the Spyder's reputation in terms of looks and performance. I consider the red frame much like a beautiful woman just barely flashing her red undergarments in an attempt to advertise what else is there to look for or anticipate.  

I just wish I had one right now. To work on, play with and most importantly, to drive.

Bruce

Most of us have a one-of-one or one-of-few cars in our towns for either Speedsters or Spyders.  I am forever getting confused with the only other white Speedster in town, Rich MacKoul’s, mostly because we’re both white-haired “Old Guys” and most people can’t tell us apart.   That said, I am soon to be the only white car/white hair guy left, as Rich is selling his gorgeous, original, ‘55 Speedster.  He tells me that he’s getting too old and has some Alzheimer’s symptoms and is now afraid to drive it for fear of something happening to it and he needs it to finance his approaching home care.  

I can’t think of too many things more sucky than this.  

@Gordon Nichols posted:

He tells me that he’s getting too old and has some Alzheimer’s symptoms and is now afraid to drive it for fear of something happening to it and he needs it to finance his approaching home care.    

My biggest 4 fears in one sentence

Gentlemen, thanks for all of the fantastic & creative input!

Closing the loop on this -- I'm ordering the one from Beck.  I posted this question in one other place -- on a Facebook Spyder forum -- and the man on Carey's team who actually fabricates their oil cooler grills responded in the comments.  He's damn proud of his work, and that means a great deal to me! 

Closing the loop on this >> Thank you very much, Special Edition! 

The original grill that they sent me was a bit too small for my Thunder Ranch, needing about a 1/2 inch added to either end so as to fully cover the existing body-embossed grill pressing.

Carey and crew said, "No problem," -- they would craft one in the required length.

After paint matching, it's now installed, and it fits perfectly.  The curve is even spot-on.

Thanks for the great customer service, Carey & Team!  @chines1

Came out PERFECT !   Love your car John !...............Bruce

@aircooled posted:

Came out PERFECT !   Love your car John !...............Bruce

Thank you, Bruce!   It really did work out -- I can't say enough about how perfectly it fit, and I really like the rubber edging that Special Edition uses (instead of the flat, wide leatherette gasket employed by others).