Bumper cover swap?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 20
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From: Holts Summit MO.
Bumper cover swap?
Can the 80 to 82 bumper covers be swapped to the earlier sharks that had the plastic bumper covers? I would really like to have a convertable with the later front and rear bumper covers. What is involved in this swap if possible. Thanks for any info.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
Yes, they either fit direct (rear) or they have conversion covers (front).
This idea will only work with 74 or 75 ... if you want to do it to a vert.
On the other hand, a late C3 can be made a vert ... with a "little" more work.
This idea will only work with 74 or 75 ... if you want to do it to a vert.
On the other hand, a late C3 can be made a vert ... with a "little" more work.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
The rear '80-'82 covers will fit '74-'79 (see my pictures). As mentioned the stock '80-'82 front cover would require some major body mods. But there is a look-a-like '80-'82 style front bumper that will fit '75-'79 with no mods to the body. It's close but not exactly the same, ACI part number EBF020. Here's a link.......http://www.acivette.com/
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 94
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From: Pine Colorado, 1978 25th Silver Anniversary
Originally Posted by ahoover
The rear '80-'82 covers will fit '74-'79 (see my pictures).
1) Where is the best place to buy from?
2) which material is best to get (fiberglass, urethane, or trueflex)?
Seems to me that the trueflex would be the best being semi flexible and easiest to match the color of paint being no need for a flex agent in the paint but at Corvette America there trueflex bumper part #143122 says it will fit 78-79 with modification. I understand that probably any bumper would have to be fitted but is there any other/better options out there?
Last edited by 78CO_VETTE; Nov 9, 2006 at 04:26 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
Originally Posted by 78CO_VETTE
1) Where is the best place to buy from?
2) which material is best to get (fiberglass, urethane, or trueflex)?
2) which material is best to get (fiberglass, urethane, or trueflex)?
2) I prefer regular fiberglass because if filler is required to match the body shape, I feel standard fiberglass is a better foundation than flex fiberglass.
The rear bumper is usually an easy fit but almost every bumper will need filler for the best fit, so count on using some filler. Urethane bumpers flex to the body shape, fiberglass doesn't. I'm not sure why Corvette America has that note about modification for '78-'79 but the '80 style bumper will fit '74-'79. I do know that the Toledo-Pro bumper is 1" shorter at the bottom. Mods will be required to the reinforcement and tail light mounting brackets on '75-'79.
