1961 front bumperette brackets

[Terry T.]

I'm restoring a 1961, and I understand that the brackets needed to install the front license plate holder and bumperettes are shorter than the brackets used on the older vettes. Can anyone tell what the correct length is on the ones I need for my car?

Terry

[daniel cavendish]

Re: 1961 front bumperette brackets

I have the same question. I've bought two pairs that were advertised for 61-62 and they are both 23 1/2" inches long. I also have heard the 58-60 are 1" longer. Hope someone that knows posts a response!

[Rob Edwards]

Re: 1961 front bumperette brackets

I bought a repro pair from Paragon for our '62 last year. It wasn't till I got them on the car that I even noticed that one was 22" long and the other was 23" long. (it may have been 23-1/2", depending on how one measures it, I suppose.) They graciously RMA'ed them and sent me a 22" pair. The extra inch is to clear the grille teeth on the 58-60. So- for a '61 you want the 22-inchers.

[Terry B.]

Re: 1961 front bumperette brackets

I have a 60 and had the problem of the bumperettes hitting the grille teeth. The bracket dimension from the centers of the two outside holes is 21 15/16. OAL is 23 1/2 I thought these must be for the 61-62's.

I purchased another set for a 60 Corvette on Ebay with GM part number tags indicating 3739331 and 3739332. They measure 22" between centers of the outside holes. OAL is 23 5/8. I didn't even try them because they were the approximate same length.

However, I just discovered that the last 3 1/2 inches is bent upward on the original set and suspect that has been the problem all along. I have talked to others who had the same interference but could not determine the probable cause. We were always measuring distances between holes and not looking at the straightness. Maybe this explaination and dimensions will help.

[Rick C.]

Re: 1961 front bumperette brackets

I recently measured several 61/62 front bumper brackets. However, I measured the distance between the center holes because that seems to be the critical distance. This dimension on the shorter 61/62 brackets was 11". The same measurement on the older brackets was an inch longer.
By the way, in the mid 70's I bought a new set from a Chevy dealer for my '62. The part number turned out to be for the longer ones.

[Terry B.]

Re: 1961 front bumperette brackets

The center distance of the inner two holes is 12 inches on the two sets I have that are supposed to be 58-60 brackets.