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MG MGA - New and Improved Moss Grills (Defective/Problems!)

Greetings all,

After much consideration and emails, I decided to get one of the "new and improved" Moss grills for my coupe. I bit more pricy than others but after talking to the salesman, I was assured these were the best on the market. Well, it arrived the day after I purchased it....cudos to the shipping department! However, on examination, the were two "inverted dings" on each side of the top leading curvature of the shell. You couldn't notice them looking straight on but from either side they looked like two pimples on an otherwise pretty face. I called Moss and returned the grill for an exchange.

And here's the kicker!!! They said they look at several in-stock grills and they all have that similar defect!!! And, I was told mine was simply being restocked to be resold as they were all that way! What the heck!!! If they know they each have these dings, why would they sell them! They told me they could send me another grill but it would have simiilar defects, or refund my money. Duh!!!
Robert Maupin

Must be something in a new production batch. I just took a close look at my one year old Moss grill, and I can't see anything wrong with it. So far yours is the first note I have heard of this problem. Can you get a picture that could show this defect?
Barney Gaylord

Greetings Barney,

Unfortunately no. I simply stuck it back in the box it came in and got it headed back to Moss. I did manage to reach "Matt" at the Virginia location who went to the stock room to look for, and found, one that he felt certain I would be happy with. Apperarently the problem isn't in the stamping of the shell, but rather during the process where the attachment tabs/brackets are attached to the underside of the shell which appearently creates these raised dings. Anyway, Matt said he could see the problem but assured me the "defects" were very very slight on the grill he's sending. Cheers!
Robert Maupin

I have never been impressed with the Moss grille. The fit is not what they claim, the back outer edge perimeter that is trimmed with a clipping die looks like it is trimmed with a grinder and is wavy and rough, the chrome shows sanding marks on the substrate (brass), and the quality of the chrome is very poor. For me it was a disappointment. Perhaps they have improved since the second production run, but it doesn't sound like it. The only worse grille is the one produced by Jorge.
James Johanski

I ordered one of the latest improved chrome on brass grilles from Moss to complete the restoration on my A Coupe about 4 months ago. I was bitterly disappointed with the finish on the grille and chrome. I didn't even trial fit it to the car. It appeared that the substrate (brass)was very thin and the chrome finish was wavy, due to the brass being too thin. Although the stainless stell grille slats appeared to be perfectly made and installed, far better than mine.

I finished up rechroming my original steel shell (which was at least 25 years old) which fits perfectly and cost about $300 to rechrome.

Andy
Andy Preston

I've been debating whether to get the new Moss grill shell or have my factory replacement shell (circa 1966) repaired and replated. The only chrome shop in Anchorage closed recently (just as I was moving into the office next door, incidentally) and the reports on the Moss shell are discouraging. I've about decided to cover the worst damage on my old shell with a couple of club badges and call it good.

Ken
k v morton

I just had my shell re-chromed (and welded back together (previous owner had broken it in the lower center upright and put a piece of steel and two screws to hold it together). It took Nu Chrome in Fall River MA about a week and a half (they also re chromed my windshield up right posts) all came out great {contrary to some other reports} all the work for all 3 pieces cost me $325. I just sold my camera when the new one come in I'll take some photos
Chris Velardi

Chris, I was interested to hear that your grille was damaged in the lower centre upright. My original grille was also damaged there and I wondered how it had happened...until I came to remove my engine with a crane hoist and nearly did the same thing to my new grille! It's such a long stretch to get the crane hook somewhere near the centre of the cylinder head that the base of the crane comes up against the centre of the grille. I had to remove the grille to gain that extra vital couple of inches.
Lindsay & Lynda Sampford

Ahh, so thats what probably did it. After striping all the paint off the car there is not so much as a scratch in the nose, but my old grill something happened to it.
Chris Velardi

>The only chrome shop in Anchorage closed recently

Well, crap. Knew I should have taken my bumpers in there sooner.
Del Rawlins

Del,

I think I might poke around the Portland area next month for chrome shops. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting. I can take a grill shell in my luggage, the bumpers might be harder.

Ken
k v morton

I recently went thru the same dilemma. I purchased a rechromed original off of ebay. The chrome is nice but it arrived almost flat. When I put it in place there was a one inch gap at the corners. In trying to slowly bend it into shape a put a small kink in the bottom. %&*#$!

For what it worth.

Larry
York, Maine
L. Mazoway

It sounds more and more like I want to have my original redone. Can anybody in the Portland area recommend a good chrome shop there?

Ken
k v morton

The current MkII ones are rubbish too. Two were about 1" oversize (not been trimmed) and the third had a small bulge in the recess in the bottom RH corner. Suppliers (all originating in Moss) were Angloparts and B&G. The third one (which was at least correct in the dimensions) came from Moss UK.
dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 20/08/2009 and 24/08/2009

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