Wavy Bumpers on a 67

[Bill I.]

Did all 67's from the factory exhibit some waves in them. What about service replacements. If I get my wavy bumpers re-chromed, should I leave the waves? Bill

[Michael G.]

Re: Wavy Bumpers on a 67

The bumpers on my '66 prior to rechrome were wavy as well....par for the course regarding factory chrome in those days. I think you'll see through the process of rechrome much of the waviness will go away, just enough to make it interesting and still give the bumpers that touch of a "factory appearance". You can take it further but why? The bumpers didn't have "show chrome" back in the day

[Peter J.]

Re: Wavy Bumpers on a 67

I bought a bumper from a friend that was never used and still in a GM box and (service replacement would be the correct term I guess). The box was meter stripped in seventy-two and the bumper was very wavy. I think if I bought a new car with a bumper like that I would have something to say about it to the dealer.

[John H.]

Re: Wavy Bumpers on a 67

The design of the part pretty much dictated the process - two formed pieces butt-welded together on the horizontal show surface and metal-finished, then nickel and chrome (no copper under the nickel); most were wavy. GM didn't figure out a die process to form the bumper with a 90* bend in it from one piece until the C3 rear bumper.

[Chris E.]

Re: Wavy Bumpers on a 67

I had my original bumpers rechromed on my 67. At one Chapter judging they pointed out the little waviness that was left over and said "NICE!". At another Chapter judging they said "bumpers aren't wavey enough".

I know they're they originals, that's all that really matters.

[John D.]

Re: Wavy Bumpers on a 67

Had a few new midyears and ALL the bumpers were crap. I used to go to a chrome shop about once a week or every other week while working on custom cars and hot rods. I remember the day I drove up to the shop in a new Corvette at lunch time. All the hired help was outside eating. The boss saw me and came out to look at the car. He called all his workman over to check out the bumpers. John Choski of American Bumper Service said if his business did work like those new bumpers he would be out of business. The bumpers were absolutely horrible.
Real deal ones out of the box are wavy and have a few areas with just the nickel showing. Very wavy and crappy chrome. JD