1750 GTV Grille Heart

[Evan Bottcher]

I'm a little puzzled.  I've purchased a reproduction grille heart for our 1750GTV.  In the attached photos, the new repro is on the left and the original one from the car is on the right.

The blades inside the heart look to be a different shape and spacing, and the attachment point is different.  I forgot to take photos of the front, they look pretty much the same from there.

Anybody got any ideas?

The repro is unfortunately not of great quality - the chromed finish is quite ripply (orange peely).  I'm not confident it will polish out, I'm going to contact the supplier.

[pancho]

Send it back for your money back and send your original to Franjo in Slovenia. He works his day job at a Pot metal factory and after hours restores Alfa metal items (such as bumpers, guages, grilles, ect - anything that has metal) from home, he has all the gear and does fantastic work. It will maybe cost you around 250eu but you'll have a new original unit. I got some headlight rings from him this week and they are better than new. Give me a call if you need details. I am yet to see anything repro that matches original quality - it's all typically built to a low $ amount or loose tolerances hence I won't bother with repro if I can help it.

[Evan Bottcher]

Thanks Pancho,

I see that the correct clip is quite short - that's what we figured today.  I'll be looking for an original in very good nick.

Thanks also - I'm already in touch with Franjo.  He's quite the craftsman.

cheers, Evan.

[Evan Bottcher]

For anyone's information, I think this is the correct short clip for a 1750 GTV grille heart.  Have yet to trial fit, but confident.

[tony]

Just a comment on the repro grilles , I have brought a number in over the years and you are correct the casting / chroming is not good. When queried my  Euro supplier said [ and he has a fair idea of whats available in Europe ]that he has tried for years to get the quality improved to no avail

[Evan Bottcher]

Worth noting that Alfaholics have this on their website:

"1750GTV Centre Heart – ALFAHOLICS PRODUCTION AVAILABLE VERY SOON
We are now in process of making an Alfaholics Production 1750GTV centre heart as the quality of the existing item on the market is very poor and consequently we do not wish to sell it any longer.  The Alfaholics Production item will be stunning quality and available very soon!"

[alfagtv58]

Wonder if the GTA replica (or Giulia Super) grille is the same situation....I need to buy one.

[pancho]

That's right Tony, unfortunately the money involved in making a correct replica would exceed what most are prepared to pay -the going rate for the replica's is about 150-200euros. If you are considering restoring your pitted and damaged unit for example you must first drill the rivets out, remove the chrome, do two copper coats to the casting (polishing after both coats), then and only then re-chrome, rivet back on and final polish. This in itself is about $400- 500 worth of time/materials or more.

NOS units are available but not cheap - but then again if you use the repro stuff it looks cheap - catch 22.

The super/GTA stuff isn't too bad as it's a less complicated single stamped design.

[Davidm1600]

X2 for Panchos comments on Franjos work. It is simply stunning.  I would love to get him to restore my 1750 GTVs steering wheel, and I am in discussion with him re purchasing a correct early grill for my Super's restoration. He has quoted to restore the grill for me, which I wish I could afford but I know at this stage it is beyond my means. 

He has done work for Alfaholics, for Max or his brother ?? I think that says a lot about his attention to detail.