Midyear GM Restoration Bumpers...

[Patrick Tighe (33001)]

I've heard from several knowledgeable sources that the front bumpers don't fit very well. Are all GM Restoration Bumpers created equal? I've talked to four Vendors, all who say their bumpers are manufactured just for them on the original GM tooling.

That being said, is there only one actual manufacturer or several? The prices for a pair of front bumpers range from vendor to vendor @ $400 to $449 each, which is a big price spread. Finally, are these bumpers made in Taiwan or Chicago? Anyone know for sure? Thanks, PT

[Dick Whittington (8804)]

Re: Midyear GM Restoration Bumpers...

Patrick there are at least two manufacturers of the bumpers. I am not sure that the US made bumpers are still made with GM dies. The last time that I had any conversation with one of the companies that was having them made the dies were just about completely worn out. This vendor was having the bumpers stamped out, welded up to compensate for wear, and then metal finished back to original shape before they were plated.

Another vendor is having decent results with bumpers made off shore. About as good as some of the US made bumpers.

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Midyear GM Restoration Bumpers...

Dick,

Which vendor has the best ones? My resto-mod is getting pretty close to needing some, and I hate to use up some good originals if there is a nice fitting and looking alternative.

Regards, John McGraw

[Patrick Tighe (33001)]

Re: Midyear GM Restoration Bumpers...

Thanks for the info Dick. Like John asks above, what Vendor sells GM restoration bumpers that fit? Has anyone recently installed a front pair on their midyear that fit like a glove? PT

[Dick Whittington (8804)]

Re: Midyear GM Restoration Bumpers...

John, Patrick, you have email.

[Dick Whittington (8804)]

Re: Midyear GM Restoration Bumpers...

I think that a lot of the fit problems that people have installing bumpers is that they do not leave all the brackets and braces loose. I always loosen everything concerned before I attach the bumpers. I use a 2X2 wooden stick to lay across the top of the bumpers to level them from side to side. It is sometimes necessary to add a shim at various brackets to accomplish correct fit. I have installed a set of repro's in just a couple of hours that fit to perfection, and have taken two days to get a set of original rechromed bumpers acceptable. There are just too many variables to lay the blame on the bumpers as the whole problem