1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Duke,
I picked this 73 up last week I'm the second owner but this car was taken cared of since day one from the previous owners. There in their 70's now so it was getting had for them to drive a 4-speed. Anyway, the car has 23,000 miles on it and the front bumper shows signs of cracking. (age thing I guess) No accident damage at all so the bumper assembly looks fine. Love this 73 so it looks like I'm going to replace it with a True-Flex bumper to save some money.


thanks for your input,
John

[Jack H.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

John how about posting a couple pics of the car? Sounds very nice.

To tag team on the styling comments. I too like the uniqueness and styling of the '73. Unfortunately I came to that conclusion about a year after I sold mine.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Duke,
I picked this 73 up last week I'm the second owner but this car was taken cared of since day one from the previous owners. There in their 70's now so it was getting had for them to drive a 4-speed. Anyway, the car has 23,000 miles on it and the front bumper shows signs of cracking. (age thing I guess) No accident damage at all so the bumper assembly looks fine. Love this 73 so it looks like I'm going to replace it with a True-Flex bumper to save some money.


thanks for your input,
John

If the car has original paint, and there are not chunks falling off, I'd hold off on replacing it. Any chance the car is nice enough to be a Bowtie candidate?

[Duke W.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

What Patrick said... plus the bumper paint is "special". I think it's lacquer-based, but has a flex agent added. It may be tough to duplicate today and match the original (probably a bit faded) color. John Z. might be able to tell us more about the bumper paint.

Post a photo of the car and a close up of the bumper. I think you should hold off on replacing until you do more research, and in the meantime, you should be able to enjoy driving the car.

You just don't see too many 40+ year old Corvettes (or anything else for that matter) with original paint, so first, do no harm.

Duke

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Jack,
Yes, I love the 73's also. Nice find mostly original base L-48 350 most options. 23,089 original miles I'm the second owner, never driven in bad weather. The kicker is the couple who purchased it in March of 73 treaded in a 68 Vette! Front bumper needs to be replaced, going with a True-Flex one. Looks like most guy's like it. I'm having problems getting pictures to send, will try from home tonight.
John

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Patrick,
Yes original paint. Believe me if I could fix the bumper I would keep it on. Some things were changed, AC refrig. from R-12 to 134A. Carb. changed to a Holley, but I do have the original matching number quadrajet Carb. Dual Exhaust is original but one of the mufflers has a small hole. The tires where recalled back in 76 changed and are original from 76, they look brand new, but don't trust them. I'm missing the ignition sheilding, everything else looks original.

John

[Robert R.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi John
What is the color combo, and is it a coupe or convertible?

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Robert,
Color is Orange and mid saddle coupe. Hope to have pictures on my next responce from home. 4-speed
John

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Front bumper needs to be replaced, going with a True-Flex one. Looks like most guy's like it. I'm having problems getting pictures to send, will try from home tonight.
John

John, see posts above. You really sure that you want to replace the bumper?

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Patrick,
I would love to keep the original on but I'm afraid that it will fall off driving to a show or club meeting some day. Some have tried to repair them but the cracks would come back. 41 year old material is hard to keep in good shape. My frame has very very little signs of rust.

John

[Robert R.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

John
That is the same color combo as how my convertible was originally made. The previous owner to me did a custom paint color and color change to its interior.

As to some of the posts for you to reconsider what cover to use, if yours is low mileage and in great condition, and you want to go through Flight judging, it may be a consideration to replace with the urethane cover.

If you plan to drive and enjoy it, the Tru Flex would be a good choice.
As has been said on this site many, many times, it is only original once.

Bob

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Patrick,
I would love to keep the original on but I'm afraid that it will fall off driving to a show or club meeting some day. Some have tried to repair them but the cracks would come back. 41 year old material is hard to keep in good shape. My frame has very very little signs of rust.

John

I would still suggest having it evaluated for Bowtie consideration. You can always replace the bumper later.

[Steve L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

My original 73 bumper is still very flexable and doesn't crack. I have it off the car for a complete restoration and have flexed it quit a lot. It has some paint crazing at the tip. I actually find this odd since I have read many accounts of these bumpers falling apart and have seen many that cracked.

I suspect that since the car has been in Canada all it's life where the temperatures are between low and disgusting low with a reduced sun load, there was less outgasing of the plasticity compounds.

I did buy a replacement GM urathene bumper a few yrs ago just in case when they were around $400. I had no idea they would be pushing $900 now.

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Steve,
Yes, and I found some places over $1,000. That's why I'm looking into a True-Flex bumper which are around $300 - $400. I'm going to try to fix my original and see what happens. With todays many componds there might be something that I can use to fill in the cracks from the back side of the bumper. Love to keep it (car) original.

John

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Patrick,
I'm looking into it. I sent an e-mail out to my regional NCRS members.