I've been working to get the original bumper covers on my '77 to a point that I can re-paint them. However, it is becoming obvious that the amount of damage to the covers (nicks, scrapes, gouges, and old repairs) is to the point that it would cost a lot in supplies to get them in good shape again or it would just plain look bad.

So, I'm trying to find which of the Vette parts dealers has the best fitting urethane replacement bumper covers. I've read some folks find certain covers don't fit too well, etc. What are the pros and cons of the various makers out there. I've seen the TruFlex stuff and I'm not quite sold on that over urethane replacements because I'm concerned it will obviously look unoriginal. But, I'm open to becoming convinced otherwise.

 

I just installed front and rear bumper covers on my 75.Urethane on the front and toledo pro flexi-glass on the rear.It took two rear ones to get close to right and I am still not real happy with the fit.The front urethane on the other hand was easy to work with and made to fit real well.If urethane was available for the rear of the 75 I would definately have one.

 

I used a true flex and a fiberglass front bumper. Both required sanding to fit.

Bill

 

Nothing wrong with going with the original urethane BUT, limited availability (usually just the fronts) and could be quite a bit more than the aftermarket ones. I never liked the wavy look of these anyway so I picked up front and rear flex-fit ones from Eckler's. Yes, they are a fiberglass composition but they "give" a bit (similar but not quite as pliable as the original) so they can absorb minor bumps more so than just a straight fiberglass replacement which is stiff and will crack quickly. Any "replacement" (other than urethane) will require some rework and it will vary a lot between cars (my body man said the rears (I went with keeping the split rear bumper on my '74) fit like a glove, but the front was a real PITA). The factory used urethane on them because of the irregularities of the original fit ... the material was forgiving of loose tolerances of the mfg process. The other issue if you were to find say a NOS urethane that isn't made anymore is that the material actually degrades over time so it may look good for a few years but start getting brittle over the longer term. I don't know if there is anything you can do to keep them "fresh" (other than not exposing to heat & cold & sun) but I was more interested in great looking bumpers on a refreshed car rather than originality ... Good Luck

 

Just to buck the trend ... my 75 front Truflex fits great.
Buy direct from Toledo Pro.

... and you are right Steve. 'glass will not look original.
It will keep it's shape over time and not get wavy/ripped.
On the other hand, urethane will take a light impact much better.

I must agree that urethane will install easier ... no matter how good
the fiberglass fits. On the other hand, the retainers are quite expensive
and required for a urethane cover. Stainless retainers for fiberglass are fairly cheap.

 

I just received a urethane rear from ecklers. They are using the original molds and I am happy with the fit.
Hope this helps
Steve

 

why would you go with a urethane bumper when it gave you all of those problems in the first place? just get the fiberglass one. it is FAR superior.

 

do fiberglass...... i don't like the flex ones since the paint will turn out a bit different anywyas due to the additive for the paint flex.....

 

They are actually fairly stiff. They flex enough to get the corners lined
up nice without too much work. No way are they flexible enough to
bump the point into a wall and simply bend. No - crack is more likely.
I really don't think a flex additive is necessary for a TruFlex cover, but
I'm no painting guru.