Is it possible and how easy is it to fit the older mustache grille on a newer mk3. I have the stainless quick disconnect grille on at the moment.

 

yes, you'll need a grinder to remove spot welds of lip on hood.....keep in mind that the process is not reversible unless you buy a new hood.....but the look is worth the effort.

I Have it on mine and even removed the door mirrors and installed wing mirrors to get that older look/feel.

 

Here is a picture of a mk3 bonnet I modified to fit the mustache grille. I also riveted all the parts of the grille together so I could use the grille buttons. Grinding the lip off is easy.

 

There is no need to rivet grill to mustach as it can be screw in separately and stay on the car when using quick remove buttons.

 

I have a MK1 grill on my 79, but the entire front clip is FRG..


..but

note that technically there are different front panels for the differt MK's providing somewhat different cutouts I'd imagine. And more significantly there are different bonnets. The MK1 being smooth on the front and the later versions having the mounting points for the trim piece that goes with the later grill work.

You "can" do anything...

You 'could' cut out your front panel and replace with the MK1, and replace the bonnet with a MK1.....

You could modify the front panel and replace the bonnet

you could modify both pieces.....

decisions decisions.

And I did not attach my moustach piece to the grill piece either.... the grill can come out and the moustach stays on. (course I never remove the grill since the entire front clip comes off in about 2 minutes )

 

Thats for the info guys. I'm probably going to keep it original. I hate taking a grinder to the bonnett. The grill is also in good shape, I like that is quick detachable also.

 

The front panel pressing recess has not changed since Mk1..........the Mk2/3 grille just sits on top of the recess, rather than in the recess like the Mk1 grille.

The Mk1/2 bonnet lip is spot welded onto the front bonnet edge and these welds can be carefully drilled out if you prefer not to do any grinding.

Be careful not to drill through the wiring harness behind when drilling holes for the moustache fixings !

 

I dunno how much the press changed but I find 6 different part numbers for the front panel based on year.

More concerning "The Mk1/2 bonnet lip is spot welded onto the front bonnet edge and these welds can be carefully drilled out if you prefer not to do any grinding."

My MK1 has NO lip........that's what's unique about the MK1, no?

or to copy from the MiniMania site....a later bonnet without the lip is non standard

"This MK3 bonnet is a very good reproduction of the original! It allows easy fitting of the MKI/II mustache or will require you to add the lip for mounting the MK3 mustache"

 

tail lamps are also unique, but some people upgraded them for better visibility, Now people tend to do the oposit to get that MkI look and feel.

 

Sorry typo .............should read:-
"The Mk2/3 bonnet lip is spot welded onto the front bonnet edge and these welds can be carefully drilled out if you prefer not to do any grinding."

The above mod makes the later bonnet identical to the Mk1 except for the hinge bracket positions...........

The front panels are all essentially the same grille panel shape and interchangeable with minor changes to various cut-outs, etc.

 

Here's the MK1 tail lite mod on my de-bumbered and debadged...MK1 boot lid too...

 

Hi.. Add this to your records....here is a page from MimiMachine cat showinh there different front panels....



I have there complete cat..............or you can order from

www.m-machine.co.uk