1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

[Kenn S.]

While I'm delighted I can find a GM restoration-grade urethane rear bumper cover for my 1980 car, I'm finding it a lot harder to find the auxiliary parts that go with it, those being the taillight housings, the license plate support brackets/nuts, and rivets to hold the body mount retainers. After corresponding with several parts shops, I'm thinking the only course of action is to remove and restore the originals, which I'm happy to do. Probably better that way anyway...

But my question would be two-fold: has anyone found these parts to be available, and if so, where? Or, more likely, what type of rivets are these and where might I find those? There must be two dozen different rivets and pop rivets used on this car, and very few are carried by the usual parts shops. (Maybe I should also scour the Driveline...)

TIA...

(And yes, great to have covers available, but the cost is truly painful!)

[Gary V.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Hi Kenn,Check your Assembly Manual on the bumper cover hardware drawings. It should show the GM original part numbers for the screws, rivets etc. These numbers can be crossed referenced to hardware that is attainable and will work for you. The tail light housings and other unique parts can be found from owners who converted the bumper covers to flex fit fiberglass covers, where these parts are not used and are sold or thrown out., Gary

[Kenn S.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Thanks, Gary... I'll see what I can find.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Kenn, I see you are in IN. Years ago I bought a few small parts from Steve Thompson, J&S Motors in Fairmount. His son Jason works there now, also. You might give them a try. 765-948-5566. Steve

[Kenn S.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

LOL... Small world. I actually bought this car from them. (To everyone else, they have an inventory of a good 100 C3 cars, most in need of some sort of restoration, but some very nice ones. I picked this car up to practice on before I tore into my 1970 car, but to be honest, I like the 1980's in their own right, so it's not some sort of throw away or waste of money in my mind...)

Fairmount, by the way, is the home of James Dean and Garfield, facts of which Fairmount is very proud.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

LOL... Small world. I actually bought this car from them. (To everyone else, they have an inventory of a good 100 C3 cars, most in need of some sort of restoration, but some very nice ones. I picked this car up to practice on before I tore into my 1970 car, but to be honest, I like the 1980's in their own right, so it's not some sort of throw away or waste of money in my mind...)

Fairmount, by the way, is the home of James Dean and Garfield, facts of which Fairmount is very proud.

Kenn, my parents lived there for years and I stayed one summer with them working in Marion before going to the Air Force. My Dad and I used to go to Steve's house when he operated the business out of his garage near downtown. I got to speak with James Dean's aunt and uncle (decades ago). I remember his aunt saying that she knew no good was going to come of Jimmy going to LA. Fairmount is also home (can't remember his name) one time head of hurricane center. Small World----Steve

[Kenn S.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

And getting even smaller. I retired from the Air Force myself. If you're back this way, dinner's on me.

For anyone searching, I did find Dr. Rebuild has a replacement rivet for GM 3828470, the bumper cover retainer rivet: http://shop.docrebuild.com/1973-1979...or3828472.aspx. Other parts shops may have it...this is just what Google gave me first.

No luck yet on the tail light housing rivet (GM 3942604), but if I find it, I'll post it. It can't be readily seen, so I'm more interested in structual functionality than appearance. I'll see what else might work. It has a large head (maybe even 5/8"), so it's not terribly common.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Kenn, where in Indiana are you? Anyplace good in AF?

[Kenn S.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

PM sent.

On topic, this is interesting: http://www.thefastenerwarehouse.com/...age/584919.htm. They don't have the rivet for the taillight housing, but they have tons of great stuff. They specialize in automotive fasteners...

[Kenn S.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Another interesting site is http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/. Tons of great stuff. The particular rivet I think may work for the taillight mounts and bumper cover retainer is here:

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=20741&Search.x=17&Search.y=10

It's aluminum with a 5/8" flange with a grip of up to 1/3", and it comes in black (as with the original). I'll have to order some in to be sure, but I'm hopeful. Hope this helps someone.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

For anyone searching, I did find Dr. Rebuild has a replacement rivet for GM 3828470, the bumper cover retainer rivet: http://shop.docrebuild.com/1973-1979...or3828472.aspx. Other parts shops may have it...this is just what Google gave me first.

Kenn

Are you replacing the bumper/fender reinforcement metal straps?

I ask because I decided to rebuild the front end of a Pace Car whose spoiler was beat to hell and all the hardware was replaced. Screw heads had been ripped off from the screw and remains in the reinforcement strap, rusted in place. Spoiler tabs are torn away from the spoiler...very messy! Anyway, decided to replace the straps that support the valence and the spoiler and related hardware. Also have an NOS three-piece front spoiler.

I just got from Dr. Rebuild an NOS bumper reinforcement strap...very nice. But I did not see the rivets...which I think you tracked down and posted above. I'll get the fender reinforcement straps from Paragon but they are not NOS so I am hoping they are correct reproductions...they also have the rivets for the fender reinforcement straps. I also learned that this configuration was used from 1975-79...but I'll have to cross check the rivet GM# with what you've listed.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Another interesting site is http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/. Tons of great stuff. The particular rivet I think may work for the taillight mounts and bumper cover retainer is here: It's aluminum with a 5/8" flange with a grip of up to 1/3", and it comes in black (as with the original). I'll have to order some in to be sure, but I'm hopeful. Hope this helps someone.

Checking my 78 AIM, it calls for the 3942604 rivet for the 78-79 version of the bumper reinforcement referenced above. If you order, would appreciate a note that it works for your application.

[Kenn S.]

Re: 1980 Rear Urethane Bumper Cover Replacement Parts

Yes... I've ordered the 5/8" rivets (pack of 25, $15). If close I'll report back. Fingers crossed... (Those rivets would secure the retainers on the bumper cover side...)