Bumper bummer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Bumper bummer
So...
I just got my C3 on Saturday.
In checking it out, we took off the bra that was on it, only to discover that there was some rather significant damage that the previous owner told us was "very minor."
The bumper's got some good cracking; in fact, in taking off the bra a piece of the bumper literally fell off the car.
Doing some searching on parts, it looks like I'm going to be going to Zip Corvette to get a new bumper, at roughly $300.
Also, the rear end on the car (a '74, according to title and VIN) has been replaced with a 75+ fascia, as was pointed out by a very observant Tony Sinclair.
I just hope that there's no damage to the rear end that's been hidden by replaced body parts...
I just got my C3 on Saturday.
In checking it out, we took off the bra that was on it, only to discover that there was some rather significant damage that the previous owner told us was "very minor."
The bumper's got some good cracking; in fact, in taking off the bra a piece of the bumper literally fell off the car.
Doing some searching on parts, it looks like I'm going to be going to Zip Corvette to get a new bumper, at roughly $300.
Also, the rear end on the car (a '74, according to title and VIN) has been replaced with a 75+ fascia, as was pointed out by a very observant Tony Sinclair.
I just hope that there's no damage to the rear end that's been hidden by replaced body parts...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I looked at a 76 about a month ago, and the front bumper was disintegrating. Pieces of it were literally falling off. And there was no back bumper at all. Just parts where it used to be attached.
So maybe yours had the same problem. From reading other reports on the forum the bumpers can be replaced but there are some alignment issues that many people had. Dont expect a perfect fit with your bumpers, but expect some trimming and fitting as needed.
For the 74 rear bumper one option is the one piece "seamed" bumper. It has a seam in it to imitate a 74 bumper, but is still one piece.
kdf
So maybe yours had the same problem. From reading other reports on the forum the bumpers can be replaced but there are some alignment issues that many people had. Dont expect a perfect fit with your bumpers, but expect some trimming and fitting as needed.
For the 74 rear bumper one option is the one piece "seamed" bumper. It has a seam in it to imitate a 74 bumper, but is still one piece.
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I like my TruFlex cover.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...6&forum_id=119
I also had an Ecklers fiberglass cover on the rear of my 75 ... fit very good.
If your rear cover is fiberglass, then certain parts of the rear bumper
may have been removed to accomodate it.
Same deal for the front bumper ... the plastic honeycomb cushion will
often get in the way of the 'glass cover.
Good luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...6&forum_id=119
I also had an Ecklers fiberglass cover on the rear of my 75 ... fit very good.
If your rear cover is fiberglass, then certain parts of the rear bumper
may have been removed to accomodate it.
Same deal for the front bumper ... the plastic honeycomb cushion will
often get in the way of the 'glass cover.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by NHvette
I like my TruFlex cover.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...6&forum_id=119
I also had an Ecklers fiberglass cover on the rear of my 75 ... fit very good.
If your rear cover is fiberglass, then certain parts of the rear bumper
may have been removed to accomodate it.
Same deal for the front bumper ... the plastic honeycomb cushion will
often get in the way of the 'glass cover.
Good luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...6&forum_id=119
I also had an Ecklers fiberglass cover on the rear of my 75 ... fit very good.
If your rear cover is fiberglass, then certain parts of the rear bumper
may have been removed to accomodate it.
Same deal for the front bumper ... the plastic honeycomb cushion will
often get in the way of the 'glass cover.
Good luck
I'm not sure if we're going to take the old rear bumper off and put a '74 split bumper on the back or not, but we definitely know that the car's going to get stripped down and re-primered shortly after we get the car running; the paint that's flaking on the back looks like $#!7.
Take a look:
Oh, and yes, the luggage rack is going to be removed and we're going to fill the holes in with fiberglass.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
sprzout ... how is the luggage rach crome??? any pitting? ... as if you take it off i might be interested in buying it. for my 75... which has ALOT worse paint than yours does 
goodluck with the rest of the resto..
goodluck with the rest of the resto..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by lil75vette
sprzout ... how is the luggage rach crome??? any pitting? ... as if you take it off i might be interested in buying it. for my 75... which has ALOT worse paint than yours does
goodluck with the rest of the resto..
goodluck with the rest of the resto..
Good question for the chrome on the luggage rack; I haven't really looked at it closely!
I'll take a look at it and see; I don't think it's too bad off...I'll PM you the condition of the rack tonight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 0
The bumpers are an easy fix. Most if not all C3 original bumpers rot, crack and disintegrate after time. There are about a thousand different places that you can get aftermarket bumpers. The TruFlex seem to hold up well.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by own2vettes
The bumpers are an easy fix. Most if not all C3 original bumpers rot, crack and disintegrate after time. There are about a thousand different places that you can get aftermarket bumpers. The TruFlex seem to hold up well.
Yeah, they seem to be relatively easy to fix, provided you know where they're connected!!
I'm hoping that the shop manual gives us some insight on where the clips/bolts/etc. are that keep the bumpers on, so that we can remove them easily; I know there are certain things that are going to have to come off the car for a repaint (the old aftermarket mirrors that the previous owner stuck on, the trim work, etc) and I'm just praying that they all come off nice and easy. Otherwise...Looks like more money I'll be spending to get stuff replaced that I don't really have!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Originally Posted by Sprzout
So...
Also, the rear end on the car (a '74, according to title and VIN) has been replaced with a 75+ fascia, as was pointed out by a very observant Tony Sinclair.
Also, the rear end on the car (a '74, according to title and VIN) has been replaced with a 75+ fascia, as was pointed out by a very observant Tony Sinclair.
My uncle's 74 has had the bumper and tail lights changed to a later year. The expense of replacing the tail lights is what's kept him from putting it back stock up 'til now.
