[taylorg]

Got a pre 76 grille with the deep chrome star barrel. Also decided to paint the plastic part matt black (figured what the hell, I have 5 sets). I think it looks good! The last pic is a before pic.

 

[MatCook2011]

looks very good - tell me more about the pre 76 grill - ive got an 84 and dislike the grey grill

 

[3547fl]

I like it, did the same thing with my 560 grill when I install the metal star in it. I like the black.

 

[taylorg]

The newer grilles just have a star that is glued(?) on to the plastic barrel, on the old ones, it's chrome all the way back.

 

[MatCook2011]

thats the good grill then - wheres a good place to get one?

 

[taylorg]

I've been collecting as many as I can get my hands on! They are obviously the better grilles heavier and better built. I have some..

 

[Fotografa]

The metal star stopped long before 1976.

All the grilles had the same fins. If you don't like the faded grey look new ones, that are dark grey, almost black, and as Mercedes intended are less than $40 each.

I'd say the reason Mercedes didn't go black instead of dark grey is that the grille fins are a design feature, no point designing it if you can't see it.

 

[MatCook2011]

that makes no sense - mine are light grey - new ones are dark grey almost black then?

 

[rowdie]

Yes. Time and light fade them.

 

[taylorg]

Really I "restored" them. But I went with black so that the chrome popped out more.

 

[MatCook2011]

quite

 

[RobertinMn]

Looks the same as the one on my 450, which is a 78. Does that mean it's not original?

 

[FriscoSteve]

Really I "restored" them. But I went with black so that the chrome popped out more.

Well it definitely pops. It looks great, especially against that red. Nice job.

 

[strife2]

The metal star is definitely nicer, but you have to keep it clean or it will pit. On the other hand, I have found the newer aluminum (about as thin as a soda can) over plastic stars - list price, well north of $200 - to be "rock magnets".

I was lucky enough to get a darned near perfect one which was (a once in a lifetime event) UNDERdescribed on eBay. My 380 got the "driver" all-metal star, which is a bit pitted inside but for what I paid for it, a great deal. These are chromed die-cast zinc and they will be costly to get replated, but it can be done. The "barrel" disassembles from the "star" part with three set screws.

No question, wrought-iron black grille pieces look nicer, and I also have spares. That's why I never had one broken with a rock