1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

[Steve 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

The problem is that the entire volume of material has lost it's compounds that provide the flex. And there is no way of impregnating anything back that I know of. You can try to fill it in but I suspect that this will be an ongoing challenge. I've seen bumpers that have cracks every inch or so with pieces missing. Are you going to repaint after every crack fix?

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Steve,
good point, no. My plan now is over the winter replace the front bumper. I only plan to drive my car to local car shows and for ice cream during good weather. Not a daily driver. I plan 3-400 miles a year tops.
John

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Robert,
your bumper looks great. I like how it blends in with the rest of the cars paint. My 75 has a similar bumper which was done before I bought it last year. I hope to send pictures out of my 73 car tonight or over the weekend. A few of us are heading to a local car show tonight after work, season coming to an end here during the work week.

John

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi jack,
here are a couple of pictures.

[Rich C.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

here are a couple of pictures. Attached Thumbnails

Benchmark or not...if that was my car, it's time for a new bumper. Original patina on chassis, engine compartment, FIBERGLASS paint is one thing, but the urethane bumper is another! Hard to explain a tattered bumper being kept as is to non NCRS types that it may qualify for Benchmark/Survivor! (ask me how I know) Nice looking car otherwise. Hope you can post some pics after you change it out.

1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 24 years (7 of those with a respectable front bumper)
1996 LT-4 Collector Edition coupe owned 13 months
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA-currently on tap!

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Yes I agree Rich. I plan on getting it done over the winter. Thank you for your comments I will post pictures after I complete it.
john

[Gregory G.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Look into CC they sell a repro urethane bumper for about half the price of a GM bumper.

Greg

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Hi Greg,
Is CC Corvette Central? Will it fit without much work?
Thanks
John

[Michael W.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Look into CC they sell a repro urethane bumper for about half the price of a GM bumper.

Greg

That is a GM bumper, just not at full GM price

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000050g~Z5Z5Z512092~P449.95~~~~S4630N89TF72392311432a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000050G~~~

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Corvette Central teck tells me it is a repo bumper, not GM but that it is made from the original dies purchased from GM or whoever was their supplier and are made by the same people that made them for GM but with modern materials. Therefore in essence the same bumper that is currently available from GM

That is a GM bumper, just not at full GM price

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z50000050G~~~

[Michael W.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

CC quotes it being part number 6263597 which is the current GM part available (at much greater cost) through GM itself.

Here, for instance

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...number=6263597

[Rich C.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

Well john, now you have a decision to make!!! SOMEDAY, I plan on the full boat restoration, so I may have chosen the re-pro urethane (if it was available at the time!). If that's YOUR goal, I'd probably go that route. But for the time my car is a driver, the Tru-flex is awesome. And again mine still looks great after 7 years! I really don't see how a judge could tell the difference anyway...unless he starts pushing on it...and even then it still has some "give". Be interesting to see how these "new improved" materials hold up!


1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 24 years (7 of those with a respectable front bumper)
1996 LT-4 Collector Edition coupe owned 13 months
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA-currently on tap!

[Gregory G.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

John,

The CC half price bumper installation lines up with the attachment holes very well. The time is spent putting all the nuts on in the tight locations along the surround.
The bumpers bottom support (V) plate has four pop rivets that would attach to it and the the bumper with hex head attachment bolts. That takes time drilling them out and aligning the holes up with both the bottom (V) plate and the bumper.
Line everything up before you tighten as you work the top from the middle of the surround out right or left first then along the sides and bottom.
The urethane bumper has a lot of give.

Greg

[John L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

thank you all for responding to my question. You all have been very helpfull and I know my decision has to be made soon. If I go with the CC bumper or any other supplier, would it be recommended that a purchase the retainer kit? Or can I use my originals?
thanks
John

[Michael W.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper, replace or not to replace

thank you all for responding to my question. You all have been very helpfull and I know my decision has to be made soon. If I go with the CC bumper or any other supplier, would it be recommended that a purchase the retainer kit? Or can I use my originals?
thanks
John

The retainers will only fit on the OEM bumper, AFAIK not on the fibreglass or truflex units. Whether you can reuse the originals depends on condition. Mine were rotted away.