74 Rear Bumper

[Todd L.]

I have a 74', the rear bumper rotted off (go figure). When I bought the car it was sold with a fiberglass one piece looks like a two piece. If I am unable to find an original rear bumper, how much of a hit will I take in judging?

Todd

[Ridge K.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

I have a 74', the rear bumper rotted off (go figure). When I bought the car it was sold with a fiberglass one piece looks like a two piece. If I am unable to find an original rear bumper, how much of a hit will I take in judging?

Todd

Todd, I can't address your judging "hit" question, but I can offer a tip about the bumper.
Last year (2008), I attended Corvettes @ Carlisle with a list of needed parts from around 15 friends. On my list was a 1975 rear bumper. I found three used original bumpers there, at decent prices. While my eyes were scanning the swap meet booths for the '75 bumper, I spotted at least two 1974 rear bumper panels. Didn't notice their prices, as they were on the "need" list.
If you don't find one sooner, this years Carlisle event starts on August 27th.
www.carsatcarlisle.com/ce/events/corvettes/

[Raymond W.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

Todd, I asked a similar question on this board some time ago. Everyone advised me not to install an old original bumper on my car, for after 35 years, the rubber is already severely deterioated and quite brittle. Given the amount of time and money that would go into replacing a rear bumper, I'd suggest you pursue one of the 2-piece flexiglass rear bumpers that are available from some of the Corvette parts suppliers. I've spoken to a fellow member who installed this type of bumper on his '74, for which he reported no point deductions (your flight judging experience could be different). You should be able to obtain further insights by completing a search in the archives on this topic. Good luck, Ray

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

Thanks Ray,

I will look for the two piece, mine is one piece with a seam in the middle. I am gathering parts right now to restore it, until then I want to get it drivable. I have a quadrajet from a 79 something or other that I will replace the Holley with. On my wish list for Carlisle this year will be the correct air cleaner and ring the carb and exhaust manifolds.
Are you still missing any parts?

Todd

[Raymond W.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

Todd, over the past 4.5 years, I've pretty much whittled my parts list down. Even with some of what I'm still looking for, it's simply to improve my position on condition and correct date codes. Here's my list; fiberboard storage tray (one in better condition and with a more appropriate date code), GR70 White Stripe Goodyear tires (set of 5 or just 1 as a spare...given the cost of these babies...I'm inclined stop at the 1 spare), fan clutch (#343721), orange plastic relay override bracket (it mounts to the passenger side firewall and hold the starter relay override button), large ball antenna mast (in better condition than the one I currently have), black 3 bar pattern lap (C35) & shoulder (C40) seatbelts with a date code of 28E73 or greater. After that, I'm down to just a few items that I will not embark on changing out, e.g., aluminum radiator, rear bumper (only if damaged), more appropriate date coded glass for front windshiend (again...only if damaged), original exhaust system (I've got an aluminumized system with Magnaflows from CCentral that fits perfectly and sounds great), and Frigidaire A-6 model air conditioner compressor. Aside from all of the above, I've got a number of chassis items that are painted (all original parts that look good...but no as originally installed because of the paint...no rust though). If you ever come across anything that wouldn't fit your '74 car because of the date code, but it would mine...please let me know, I'll be certain to do the same for you; ray_wells@sbcglobal.net. Here's a tip...in your search for parts, when you identify a fellow member who has the same car as you, check out all of the posts that they've originated on the Tech Board...you find them very insightful and at the same time, very specific to the many needs you'll be addressing with your car. Good luck with your searching. I will say and I trust you'll find that the journey is far more fun and exciting that the destination. Ray

[Mark G.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

I have an all original 74 with 18,000 miles and it is featured in Dobbin's 1973 - 1977 Fact Book. My car is white and the bumper has had primer bleed through stains for years but now the right side is developing a slight crack. Therefore, I don't think an original if it can be found would be a good idea. My car was garaged and never exposed to the elements and the original bumper is still cracking. I don't know of anyone making a urathane replacement. Dos anyone know if there is any repair process to try an nurse the original one along until someone starts manufacturing a urathane replacement? Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[Joe L.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

Thanks Ray,

I will look for the two piece, mine is one piece with a seam in the middle. I am gathering parts right now to restore it, until then I want to get it drivable. I have a quadrajet from a 79 something or other that I will replace the Holley with. On my wish list for Carlisle this year will be the correct air cleaner and ring the carb and exhaust manifolds.
Are you still missing any parts?

Todd

Todd----


I agree with Ray and Mark. I don't think that trying to find and use an original bumper is worth it. Even IF you could find an NOS piece, I'd still be worried that age had taken its toll. If it was easy, cheap installation effort, it might be worth taking a chance. However, it's anything but.

Keep in mind that even IF a urethane bumper replacement becomes available, that bumper will likely be eventually subject to the same sort of problems the originals had-----cracking, "waviness" after a short time on the car, and paint problems.

[Raymond W.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

I have an all original 74 with 18,000 miles and it is featured in Dobbin's 1973 - 1977 Fact Book. My car is white and the bumper has had primer bleed through stains for years but now the right side is developing a slight crack. Therefore, I don't think an original if it can be found would be a good idea. My car was garaged and never exposed to the elements and the original bumper is still cracking. I don't know of anyone making a urathane replacement. Dos anyone know if there is any repair process to try an nurse the original one along until someone starts manufacturing a urathane replacement? Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Mark, I'm not aware of any repair process, but that's not to say there isn't one. I haven't picked up the Dobbin's book yet, what kind of options do you have on your car? Mine's an LS4, 4 speed, deluxe leather interior with air. Ray

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

TODD-

Here's my 74 with a "Glass" 1 piece that's molded to represent the original factory 2 piece urethane bumper cover, I'll take point deductions all day long when I compare this "repo" part to the original factory unit. Just the ease of replacement and the fit alone were worth the money. My old one came off in about 100 little pieces and I can't imangine a GM NOS (like Joe L. said, if you can find one) one being in any shape to paint and handle and install with good results.

MArty

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

Beautiful cars! My research has proved to me that a repro fiberglass bumper is the way to go. I have a one piece from Toledo Pro Fiberglass, there is something I do not understand; the bumper has the seam, the indents with what looks like areas I would drill for the letters the cutouts for the license light, what is missing is two holes in the license plate area which I would bolt the supports too. Also, there is two square holes, what goes there? My guess for the two square holes is license plate mounting, but I thought there was a bracket that was attached to the bumper and then the license was attached to it. Is there an exact place for the two support holes or do I just mount the muper and where the supports touch drill there?

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

TODD-
Here's some shots from under my rear bumper were you can see the license plate reinforcement bracket installed. Remember the Urethane originals were flexable so they needed that plate bracket to support the halves and the plate. The bracket goes on from the inside (see picture) and you have to drill the 2 mounting holes for the rivets.

Marty

[Todd L.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

Thanks Marty,

How did you determine where to drill the holes for the two support brackets or did your bumper come pre-drilled?

Is your bumper a one or two piece, has it been judged, if so what kind of deduction should I be looking at?

Todd

[Don G.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

In my opinion, the replacement part that best represents the original part is the 2 piece fiberglass "flex-fit" design offered by Eckler's. Their catalog # is 33664 and phone number is 800 327 4868.( price $479.99)

The fiberglass material is somewhat flexible but not as flexible as the original urethane. However, if originality is not important to you, the 2 piece fiberglass, if properly fitted to the fiberglass body, has a better appearance.

[Martin N.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

TODD-
My "Glass" bumper is a TRUEFLEX 1 piece unit. Back in 2005 I paid $320.00 plus shipping. With the plate bracket all I did was tape the bracket in from behind , after the bumper was installed (car sitting on all 4 tires), took a little "torpedo level" and leveled the bracket from behind, marked the holes with a pencil, drilled with an angle head drill and rivet in place. The car is still not far along enough for judging, so I can't tell you what the points loss will be.

Marty

[Paul B.]

Re: 74 Rear Bumper

In my opinion, the replacement part that best represents the original part is the 2 piece fiberglass "flex-fit" design offered by Eckler's. Their catalog # is 33664 and phone number is 800 327 4868.( price $479.99)

The fiberglass material is somewhat flexible but not as flexible as the original urethane. However, if originality is not important to you, the 2 piece fiberglass, if properly fitted to the fiberglass body, has a better appearance.

...absolutely correct!!! I installed this bumper in 2003 and have compared many before I purchased. This Eckler's FlexFit has the best contour & shape of the middle seam, the edges of the seam, indents for the letters and recesses for the license plate lights.

...besides, the only real person(or judge)that would know the difference between an original and the Eckler's is pretty much how the original was joined at the seam vs the Eckler's. And it would pretty much have to be someone(like myself )who has done this replacement and knows the difference. Very, very few people probably even know what a real one looks like under there vs an "original".