i think you can get away with a mesh grille on a car that looks the nuts!, but it really has to have had a lot of work making it look right and made to suit the style, i wouldnt just bang a mash grille on any old car, but having seen pics of joe's i think he could definetaly have got away with it...
if i were you i'd just go for a debadged grille and look around for a nice looking quality one.