Bugeye grill surround piece

[Rhodyspit75]

I removed this piece from inside the grill surround. It was bolted on with 10/24 bolts about 1 inch long with square nuts. That makes me think it was either added at some time or was removed and replaced. It’s made of aluminum. I can’t find it in any of the catalogs either. It has two 3/8 th inch holes that look to have had something bolted in them. Maybe lights behind the grill. It also has bondo filling two other holes. The bonnet was originally baby blue and there is no sign of that color on the piece.

I’d like to know if it even belongs there before I make a new piece.

Thanks Ernie

 

[hcallaway]

I don't think it is a factory piece but it might be good for mounting driving lights. I would hold on to it until you sure it is not needed.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Thanks, I’m going to continue working on the bonnet and put it aside. It’s pretty much a piece of junk right now.

 

[HealeyRick]

Not an original piece. Doesn't look like you could mount lights in front of the grille with it and the holes look to close to the front to allow you to mount lights behind the grille. It's a DPO mystery.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Thanks Rick, there were also two holes in the valance that looks like could have been for driving lights too. Both of them were recessed like they had been hit. As with most bonnets it looks like it has been hit a few times. All the damage was hammered out and 1/8 to 1/4 inch of bondo used to make it look good. I will hand it to whoever did it. It looked really good. Rather than just patch the holes I cut out the damage and put new metal in.

 

[Gerard]

The small-ish holes in the lower valance are where some small screws (10-32, if I remember correctly) would have originally existed for the license plate plinth would have mounted. I am referring to the wide plinth made to fit the wide UK plates. Remember that the bumper was optional, so the plinth would be used if there wasn't a front bumper. These were seldom seen or used in the states.

Thanks Rick, there were also two holes in the valance that looks like could have been for driving lights too..../QUOTE]