1973 Front Bumper Replacement

[Mark E.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

Mark, What caused to bumper to break recently. My 73 still has the original front bumper

Ralph, You may have intended this question for Charles, the OP. In my experience OEM utherene bumpers fail because of impact or the material becoming brittle. My theory is the onset of brittleness is a function of age, sun exposure, extreme temperature exposure, and improper installation (stressing the skin by over tightening the mounting studs). I agree they can last several decades. My original bumper was 25 years old when I sold the car and it was in fine condition.

Based on what Joe shared, if I owned a '73 or '74 I would be tempted to by a spare NOS while they're available. They're so vulnerable because of the way they sit low and stick out. And they can probably be sold for a profit in 10 years if no longer needed.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

I bought 2 GM urethane bumpers at a cost of about $800.each last July 2015 and they are worth the extra money if you want an original look urethane bumper, They fit with no body work. For a non judged driver I have used fiberglass but you need to make them fit with body work and a new paint job. I have seen the GM urethane bumpers go from $350. to todays price of $800. with a good discount in 15 years.

[Rich C.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

I'm sure some will scoff at the Tru-Flex. Not enough room to list all the N.O.S. pieces I've amassed to do a high level restoration. Try finding a N.O.S. 454 E.G.R valve, or a bone white N.O.S. coolant tank, how bout a full set of Steel-Gard blackwall tires? Yup! But I drew the line at the bumper. The Tru-flex is just flexible enough to feel like a slightly aged urethane bumper. It's even black! Sure the new one is urethane, but just because it comes in a GM box...doesn't seem any more original. I MAY even pick one up for future, if it's discontinued, it'll do better than the stock market! I'm sure with 30,000 original miles you have your mind set on a GM one. Just pointing out the Tru-flex option to others that may happen upon this thread!


1973 LS-4 454 owned 26 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe owned 3 years
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale currently on tap!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

When I painted my '73 (my first Corvette) in 1992, I removed the bumper to paint it and the car. Off the car is the only way to properly prep and paint the mating "flange" on the bumper and body of the car. I shot the car in lacquer then just added flex agent to shoot the bumper. At least back then, the paint manufacturer offered flex agent for their paint. Using the same paint as the body ensures a good color match.

Joe may know more about this, but just because a part is still available doesn't mean it's still being made. It could be 40 year old NOS stock. Some parts are out of production but available until stock runs out. Other parts they may continue producing with the original tooling because of demand. Or a service replacement may be offered which differs from the original in some way (for example an ignition coil).

The cars I've seen with cracked bumpers either suffered an impact or looked like they were left in the sun a lot (they also had faded paint, interiors, trim). I would guess a garaged car with a "new" NOS utherene bumper should last many years without cracking if installed properly. Avoid stressing the skin by over torquing the attaching studs.

Instead of accepting list price at the dealer, you might ask them if you are eligible for some sort of discount. You might be surprised. If you're a member of a local Chevy club, they may have a discount at a sponsoring dealer. What you save may fund the annual club dues. Some dealers offer a discount for AAA and AARP (if you're old like me ).

As an NCRS member I should know if there's some sort of discount for us. Is there?

Enjoy your '73. It's one of my favorite years.

Mark------


Yes, just because a part is still available does not mean that it's still being manufactured. For instance, many interior parts are manufactured only during the year that they are used in PRODUCTION. GMSPO orders a supply for SERVICE and that's it; when they're gone, they're gone. Contrary to popular belief, there is no minimum period of availability required by the government for the vast majority of automotive parts.

However, in the case of these bumpers, there's no way the parts being sold today are the remaining inventory of parts manufactured 40 years ago. I highly doubt that GMSPO maintains a large inventory of these bumpers. My guess is that they still have a manufacturing source willing to produce them and they re-order from time-to-time. Of course, there will come a time when manufacturing will cease. At that point, the remaining inventory will be sold "until the last one goes out the door". It's possible we're in that period right now. Then, the "discontinued" sign goes up.

There is one thing that I'm a bit worried about here: every now-and-then, a PRODUCTION-quality piece will be replaced, for SERVICE, by what amounts to an aftermarket-quality piece or a "reproduction" piece. Usually, if this happens, it will occur LONG into the SERVICE life of a particular part and 40 years is definitely LONG into the SERVICE life of this bumper. I hope that has not happened here.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

When the front and rear bumpers were painted for my 1985 Corvette I removed both for the repaint and I installed both after painting.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

I just checked with a local Chevrolet Dealer and they said it was discontinued

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

I just checked with a local Chevrolet Dealer and they said it was discontinued

Ralph------


If so, it's a VERY recent discontinuation. I wonder if the dealer actually checked or if they just assumed it was discontinued based on the year model.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

Mark, Lyle isn't saying do not use a urethane bumper. He is saying don't use the urethane bumper sold by Eck....

Lyle,

What are you recommending if not urethane? I guess an aftermarket hard fiberglass nose can be used. They look fine but the car is no longer original and the body is very vulnerable to the slightest impact.

I didn't have any problems with the bumper being too flexible on my '73. No jig needed while prepping or painting other than a stand to place it on while working.

[Charles P.]

Re: 1973 Front Bumper Replacement

Okay, because of the consensus that the GM part is most original and possibly is the easiest to install and the car is still wearing it's original laquer finish (don't want to have to paint anything but the bumper), I am going with the GM part.
Yes, my dealer initially said it was discontinued. Then I went back in person on Friday and told them to recheck because my "sources" were saying otherwise. After a lot of pen tapping he checked the computer and found it available. In classical fashion, he looked up and said it was and said "you didn't tell me it was a cover--you were calling it a bumper". Never mind that I gave him the part number the first time. So Joe I took your advice and held his feet to the coals for having to come in and he came down $200.

So it may be here in a week in Florida, coming from Michigan, probably while I am at the NCRS show in Lakeland.
I will take a picture of it and post when it arrives. Hopefully in good condition.

Ralph-you asked how did it break. The car sits covered in a garage in Florida. The last time it was out, about 4 weeks prior, it was fine. When I uncovered it the other morning it was split. I am guessing that time just caught up to it and I have heard of similar stories.