Styling Spider Front Grill Low Budget Modification

[jiminnella]

Thought this could be of interest for anyone interested in changing the look of the front of your later year (big bumper) classic spider without spending a lot of money. I did this change with a total expenditure of about $50.00 plus my time. $30 worth of grill mesh and $12.00 for a set of trailer turn signals (of course in addition to a couple of hours of my labor). I would never think of doing this to my other 83 spider that is totally original, but, I picked this 81 up for cheap and thought I would get creative with the restoration. I think it came out pretty well and thought I would share with the group.

 

[SHERMAN41]

I did something simolar, first $50 for upper and lower grill material, then did a bumper tuck ,pushed all the way in
and installed driving lights behind grill. Gives a clean look with function

 

[Eddie70]

I did something simolar, first $50 for upper and lower grill material, then did a bumper tuck ,pushed all the way in
and installed driving lights behind grill. Gives a clean look with function

The tucked bumper is a big improvement. How is this one??

 

[Slotman]

Very nice job! I just finished sort of the same thing except I only have mesh on the lower part as I was worried about cooling. And i painted mine, and I added a chin spoiler, now I need to fill the bumper shocks hole in...again what you did looks excellant!

 

[Twink80]

Thought this could be of interest for anyone interested in changing the look of the front of your later year (big bumper) classic spider without spending a lot of money. I did this change with a total expenditure of about $50.00 plus my time. $30 worth of grill mesh and $12.00 for a set of trailer turn signals (of course in addition to a couple of hours of my labor). I would never think of doing this to my other 83 spider that is totally original, but, I picked this 81 up for cheap and thought I would get creative with the restoration. I think it came out pretty well and thought I would share with the group.

Just a caution the mesh looks quite small and will block a lot of airflow into the radiator and engine bay. The sealing and ducting of air coming through the front apertures is quite primative compared to modern cars
If you live somewhere hot keep s keen eye on your temperature guage and monitor who often and long the fan cuts in at low speeds