[DeTomaso] Front/rear grille material

MikeLDrew at aol.com MikeLDrew at aol.com
Tue Apr 1 01:34:14 EDT 2008


Hi guys,

Got this from Tom Galli today, a lurker who can't post for some reason.   He 
showed me samples of the grille material he got, and he's right--other than 
being square instead of diamond-shaped, it's identical.   It's a simple matter 
to distort the square stuff to get the appropriate diamond shape prior to 
installation.

Mike

====

Mike,
 Please pass this on to the forum for me.
  
 Back in 2000 when I got the Mangusta I was curious about availability of 
grill and AC mesh. My reference files for wire cloth held a number of catalogues 
from various manufacturers. Finding a match to the mesh grill work proved 
quick and easy so I did not pursue this any further.
  
 Recently someone on the forum asked about availability of the mesh grill 
with a follow up post from someone else stating that the Vendors had 
unsuccessfully spent months looking for this stuff.
  
 I again looked through my catalogues with the same results as before. So I 
asked myself, what am I missing? Surely the Vendors didn't miss something so 
banal.  I requested a sample from a local manufacturer and compared it to the 
grill work. Not having calipers with me when comparing the two I could not 
detect any appreciable difference. You must remember that I have a Mangusta and not 
a Pantera so I was not aware of any possible changes between the cars front 
and rear mesh work. This prompted me to look at the Pantera mesh work. My 
conclusion was that the Vendors failed to recognize the front Pantera mesh is made 
into a diamond pattern by tweaking the square mesh to the desired diamond 
shape. (the mesh is not a welded fabric but a woven cloth, allowing flexibility in 
changing the square to a diamond).  So I have to assume that the Vendors were 
looking for a diamond pattern mesh, which, of course, is definitely not 
available.
  
 Sooooooooo...... Bottom line is that the mesh is a standard item at any 
manufacturer of wire cloth and that the spec is: 1/2" square opening, inter crimp, 
with .080 wire. CAUTION: 1/2" OPENING IS NOT THE SAME AS 1/2" MESH OR #2 
MESH- MESH IS MEASURED FROM CENTER LINE OF WIRE TO CENTER LINE OF WIRE..  This 
standard item is available in many different materials, which probably varies 
from manufacturer to manufacturer. Locally it is available in steel, galvanized 
steel, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and electro polished stainless 
steel.(sure does look like chrome). Call your local manufacturer for pricing, for I'm 
sure it varies.
  
 Be aware that the original metric mesh opening is 13 mm and SAE version 
opening is 12.7 mm and the original metric wire is 2 mm with the SAE version being 
2.032 mm.  So for you purists, the mesh is not an exact match, but so close 
as to not be a noticeable difference.  However, for a formidible price I can 
get an exact match.
  
 Your welcome,
  
 Tom Galli



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