Berlina Grille on an Executive

[Golden Child]

Hey fellas, i just want to know whether if a VY Berlina Grille can be installed onto a VY Executive?
I was told by JHP that they are not sure whether it fits, is this correct?

[DUK13Y]

I don't think it will fit. I'm no expert but many car part dealers classify the berlina and calais in one category while the acclaim, exec, s, ss, anything i've missed are a separate category.

Don't take my word for it though.

[Calaber]

I think it might fit. We have a Berlina and an Exec at our place and only last week, I removed both grilles to see if they were the same size. I only found one thing that would need to be changed. Both grilles use three tabs at the base to lock the bottom of the grille into the bumper facia. The tabs on the Berlina grille were wider than the Exec's, but could easily be trimmed down to fit.

[Golden Child]

Cheers for the help fellas.
VYII BERLINA - would it possible for you to send me a pic of the two grilles side-by-side, for comparison?

[Calaber]

Cheers for the help fellas.
VYII BERLINA - would it possible for you to send me a pic of the two grilles side-by-side, for comparison?

Can do, but won't be able to get at both cars until Friday. Watch this space.

[Golden Child]

no worries mate.
Thanks again.

[klaw81]

I made the same comparision a while back and concluded that they are similar but not the same. Since the bumper is different, I don't know if it was just an optical illusion or if the Berlina/Calais grille has a point in the middle at the bottom which the Exec doesn't have.

[Calaber]

Well, this morning I tried it out, by removing both grilles and trying to fit the Exec grille to the Berlina. No go. The Exec grille is about 25 mm wider and won't fit into the Berlina recess. If I tried the reverse, I guess the Berlina grille would be too narrow and leave a gap on either side.

Back to the drawing board.

[Golden Child]

bugger, oh well, cheers for the help mate.

Back to the drawing board indeed.

[klaw81]

You can modify the standard grille to make it look much nicer - check out this post to see what I've done to my grille SS grills

[Calaber]

You can modify the standard grille to make it look much nicer - check out this post to see what I've done to my grille SS grills

I reckon that is a very neat way of improving the standard grille. You could also try adding a chrome surround by using wide pin-striping if you still want the Berlina look.

[Golden Child]

Klaw81: That looks sweet, good idea man.

VYII BERLINA: I'm not familiar with wide pin-striping! Where can i get it from? Is it hard to use?

Once again thanks for all of your help guys.

[Calaber]

Hi Golden Child

Places like Autobarn have a wide stock of pin-striping. You can get a chrome finish tape about ten or twelve millimetres wide, but you might have to order it. It's very easy to use, although the wider the tape, the harder to get it to "bend" around corners. Worth a try though. I intend to get some to put on the side protector moulds on the doors, to match the Calais trims. The basic moulding is identical, but the Berlina lacks the chrome insert. It will be a simple job compared to the grille. Good luck. If you get it all done, better post some pics.

Regards

pj

[Golden Child]

Thanks for that. I reckon i will definiately give it a go and i will post up some pics when its done mate.

Thanks again.