View Poll Results: Would you buy a chrome conversion kit for your rubber bumper car?
Voters: 166. You may not vote on this poll
POLL: Chrome Bumper Conversion Kit for Rubber Bumper 'Vettes
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: AL
Without pictures of a completed prototype and all of the negative posts in my last thread and "poo=poos" of the idea, I completely expect more "no" votes than yes..
It is fashionable and trendy to "like what ya got" and not wish it was something else and I understand that...However, if this kit was done right, it would be successful and people would want it.
You would have to see a completed car and compare all angles to a "before" shot to really be able to grasp what the kit consisted of and how much more desireable it would look.
Voting now "NO" based on not enough specifics of the completed model, what labor is involved, the quality, and most importantly what it LOOKS like, is uninformed at best.
It is fashionable and trendy to "like what ya got" and not wish it was something else and I understand that...However, if this kit was done right, it would be successful and people would want it.
You would have to see a completed car and compare all angles to a "before" shot to really be able to grasp what the kit consisted of and how much more desireable it would look.
Voting now "NO" based on not enough specifics of the completed model, what labor is involved, the quality, and most importantly what it LOOKS like, is uninformed at best.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
It is not "major surgery at best". You need to go back a re-read the original thread. We are talking about a bolt-on kit that replaces the front nose piece only. There is no "surgery" except what is entailed in ubolting the original nose piece and bolting the new one on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
Of course it's possible. It sounds so simple... Just buy the front and rear clip from a 68-72 and cut the fiberglass pieces off, modifying them with bolting lips to fit your model. You can remove all the rubber bumper supports and replace them with ones you fabricate. It sounds so easy doesn't it? I'll bet it takes hundreds and hundreds of hours to make it fit.
While you're putting on the "Bolt on Chrome bumper conversion" why don't you put some fake hood scoops "R Type" stickers and even a Z06 or a 5.0 badge on your vette. Any one of these is adding junk to make your car look like (at least try to convince yourself) that your car is something than what it actually is. Add an aluminum wing as well...
I voted NO.
While you're putting on the "Bolt on Chrome bumper conversion" why don't you put some fake hood scoops "R Type" stickers and even a Z06 or a 5.0 badge on your vette. Any one of these is adding junk to make your car look like (at least try to convince yourself) that your car is something than what it actually is. Add an aluminum wing as well...
I voted NO.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
I totally support 7steps in his quest.. hell that photshop image is my car after i worked it out for him....even still, i think I prefer the rubber bumpers.
The front bumper itself isnt bad, but I'm not fond of the grilles below...if there was just an uninterrupted grill from side to side without the chrome frame and with hidden turn indicators i might vote otherwise.
The front bumper itself isnt bad, but I'm not fond of the grilles below...if there was just an uninterrupted grill from side to side without the chrome frame and with hidden turn indicators i might vote otherwise.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,698
Likes: 295
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
I voted no, not because I wouldn't want to own a chrome bumper C3, but if I did, I'd rather own the "real" thing. It's part of the '68-'72 Corvette charm in my opinion. Here's a pic of what all of our C3s were based on: (granted, the design was not supposed to last until 1982)
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Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 550
Likes: 2
From: smithfield nc usa 27577
I like the 80 style bumper...I dont care for the one on my 76 all that much.
We need a "I dont like my rubber much but would not ruin my car to change it " that would get more votes
I already have a chrome bumper car...
I might change the stuff on the 76 for better looking rubber front and rear. thats the kit to make
We need a "I dont like my rubber much but would not ruin my car to change it " that would get more votes
I already have a chrome bumper car...
I might change the stuff on the 76 for better looking rubber front and rear. thats the kit to make
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
Not just 'no' but "H*** NO!"
If I wanted a chrome bumper that badly, I'd cough up the money to buy one, not make a faux one. There are a lot more important things to spend my money on--like making it RUN better.
I have a genuine $20 Timex watch, not a $20 counterfeit Rolex.
I'm bald, but I ain't gonna spend money on a wig so I can pretend to be something I'm not, and I don't care what anyone else thinks of how I look. I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam.
If you're into that, why don't you buy a VW Beetle and put a Bradly GT body on it? The unwashed masses think they look cool, too.
If I wanted a chrome bumper that badly, I'd cough up the money to buy one, not make a faux one. There are a lot more important things to spend my money on--like making it RUN better.
I have a genuine $20 Timex watch, not a $20 counterfeit Rolex.
I'm bald, but I ain't gonna spend money on a wig so I can pretend to be something I'm not, and I don't care what anyone else thinks of how I look. I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam.
If you're into that, why don't you buy a VW Beetle and put a Bradly GT body on it? The unwashed masses think they look cool, too.
Last edited by JPhil; Jun 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
However, if this kit was done right, it would be successful and people would want it.
I wouldn't buy the whole kit and labor all for $1.
If we don't like it, we don't like it!!!!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Crossville Tennessee
Fine....
The only thing that is being shoved down anyone's throats is your post. I never asked you to respond or reply to this.
If you don't like the idea, move along quietly.
Obviously, from the responses, there is at least a quarter of the poster son here that might want this option for their rubber bumpered car.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,863
From: Palm Springs, CA.
If you post looking for opinions you've got to be man enough to take the good with the bad and not dis those who don't agree with you.
I've had many Corvettes both chrome bumpered and rubber. I liked each one individually for what it was.
In the early 70's a kit was offered for the Volkswagon Beetle to make it look like a Rolls Royce. Someone at some time thought it was a good idea too.
It was a joke. No one was fooled.
In the 80's the Ferrari kit was offered for the Pontiac Fiero...about the same time fake Rolex's were flooding the market. Again no one was fooled but the fools.
The station wagon rear end was offered for the Corvette in the early 70's, now if you see one, it's considered a total disco era joke.
If the idea of this conversion is to fool unknowing passersby, you're only fooling fools 'cause those who know, will know right away.
If you're ashamed of what your Corvette is you shouldn't have any Corvette.
I've had many Corvettes both chrome bumpered and rubber. I liked each one individually for what it was.
In the early 70's a kit was offered for the Volkswagon Beetle to make it look like a Rolls Royce. Someone at some time thought it was a good idea too.
It was a joke. No one was fooled.
In the 80's the Ferrari kit was offered for the Pontiac Fiero...about the same time fake Rolex's were flooding the market. Again no one was fooled but the fools.
The station wagon rear end was offered for the Corvette in the early 70's, now if you see one, it's considered a total disco era joke.
If the idea of this conversion is to fool unknowing passersby, you're only fooling fools 'cause those who know, will know right away.
If you're ashamed of what your Corvette is you shouldn't have any Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
I appreciate the early models & prefer modern bumpers. No chrome bumpers on the Manta Ray or Aerovette either. Some of us 
including George Barris have removed chrome bumpers from cars. I would not put chrome bumpers on a modern bumper C3 if it was free w/ free pro. install.
Performance enthusiasts
Radar range tests have shown the lowest range car was a CORVETTE w/ a 77, 78-79 front. It was red & had less than 1/2 the next lowest range car & 1/4 avg.! C4 was low avg. Early C3 is at a disadvantage w/ the chrome bumpers.
including George Barris have removed chrome bumpers from cars. I would not put chrome bumpers on a modern bumper C3 if it was free w/ free pro. install.Performance enthusiasts
Radar range tests have shown the lowest range car was a CORVETTE w/ a 77, 78-79 front. It was red & had less than 1/2
the next lowest range car & 1/4 avg.! C4 was low avg. Early C3 is at a disadvantage w/ the chrome bumpers.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Bowmanville Ontario
Give The guy a break
So he likes chrome bumpers AND he likes the rest of his car.
Doesn't have all the money in the world (who does?)
Wants to have the best of both worlds, (In an easy to use kit, who doesn't?)
But reality will set in, mostly because body modification kits for pre 84 vettes are dissapearing fast. There are tons out there for the newer ones, probably even one for steel bumpers for an 07
But where's there a will, there's a way. Good luck with your quest, I hope you find/ get what you want.
AND finally for all of you that have the attitude of " He should be shot for thinking of it and doesn't DESERVE to own a vette".... go do something biologically obscene to yourself. I wave to any vette (even yours) though I might be thinking " I think I'm gonna hurl ".
Doesn't have all the money in the world (who does?)
Wants to have the best of both worlds, (In an easy to use kit, who doesn't?)
But reality will set in, mostly because body modification kits for pre 84 vettes are dissapearing fast. There are tons out there for the newer ones, probably even one for steel bumpers for an 07
But where's there a will, there's a way. Good luck with your quest, I hope you find/ get what you want.
AND finally for all of you that have the attitude of " He should be shot for thinking of it and doesn't DESERVE to own a vette".... go do something biologically obscene to yourself. I wave to any vette (even yours) though I might be thinking " I think I'm gonna hurl ".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
If you posted in the " I would buy even if the cost is > $2500" column then why not buy the fglass front and rear aftermarket bumpers, the chrome bumpers, mod the fglass to accept the chromes and make your brackets to bolt it up. It would not have to be as structuraly sound as a real chrome bumper as you shurely would not remove the actual bumpers. It would take a lot of time but I bet you could do this as cheap as the kit could be offered. In that state as a "custom" it would turn a lot of heads as did the nicely done installation shown in the other thread. As was said above, if you bought it as a kit, shortly down the road it would become a joke. Just my .02
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
[QUOTE]Will someone PLEASE make a complete kit so this can be done?
Read the last word in your original thread.
Anyway since you don't even want to use NOS 69 bumpers or repos, Then this means completely retooling for every bumper, bolt and nut, bracket, and front and rear body covers.
Do you think someone is going to do this for the good of man kind?
Im telling you $6500 minimum.
This does remind me of the "Bradley GTs".
Buy you need to be talking to manufactures not people who own the cars,because before they would even concider it they would want 25-50 prepaid orders, so would you lay down that much money for something you haven't seen???
I never asked you to respond or reply to this.
Thoughts?
Anyway since you don't even want to use NOS 69 bumpers or repos, Then this means completely retooling for every bumper, bolt and nut, bracket, and front and rear body covers.
Do you think someone is going to do this for the good of man kind?
Im telling you $6500 minimum.
This does remind me of the "Bradley GTs".
Buy you need to be talking to manufactures not people who own the cars,because before they would even concider it they would want 25-50 prepaid orders, so would you lay down that much money for something you haven't seen???
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 9
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Someone posting above put it just right...chromies with a bubble window? Not so good, so, I'm out. That being said, if you want to do it, and do it, I'd like to see your car sometime. There are mods out there that no one else would do. It makes your car, for better or worse, custom. Just don't expect to be adored and loved by all peoples. I think a little differently then 7steps...If I have $2,500 to spend a new overdrive and a top end rebuild are going on my car, plastic bumpers and all! 
