1973 Rubber bumper replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
1973 Rubber bumper replacement
Hi Guys,
I’m a new member and this is my first post. I have owned my 1973 Corvette for 12 years. I haven’t used it much in the last couple of years and am now getting the bug to get back into it again. A couple of years ago the front bumper cracked from age, which is a common occurrence as we all know. I have a couple of questions about this and I hope you guys can help. Do I replace it with the almost $700.00 original type rubber bumper or do I buy the new Truflex fiberglass type bumper at half the price? Please tell me about your experience with either of them. Should I have the part painted before I install it on the car or install it first? Is this an easy part to replace or a nightmare that I should have done by a professional and what might that cost? I do appreciate any help or comments you might have.
Thanks,
Bill
I’m a new member and this is my first post. I have owned my 1973 Corvette for 12 years. I haven’t used it much in the last couple of years and am now getting the bug to get back into it again. A couple of years ago the front bumper cracked from age, which is a common occurrence as we all know. I have a couple of questions about this and I hope you guys can help. Do I replace it with the almost $700.00 original type rubber bumper or do I buy the new Truflex fiberglass type bumper at half the price? Please tell me about your experience with either of them. Should I have the part painted before I install it on the car or install it first? Is this an easy part to replace or a nightmare that I should have done by a professional and what might that cost? I do appreciate any help or comments you might have.
Thanks,
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Hi Bill,
I just replaced the one on my '73. I bought a regular fiberglass one from ACI in Toledo. It is a nice unit but did not fit perfectly. I added 4 layers of fiberglass to the left front corner and then used bondo-glass and then a thin layer of regular bondo to smooth out the lines. It probably took about 20 hours total to get it to look right. From what I understand, the rubber replacements fit pretty well out of the box. The rest need some work to line up properly.
Good luck.
I just replaced the one on my '73. I bought a regular fiberglass one from ACI in Toledo. It is a nice unit but did not fit perfectly. I added 4 layers of fiberglass to the left front corner and then used bondo-glass and then a thin layer of regular bondo to smooth out the lines. It probably took about 20 hours total to get it to look right. From what I understand, the rubber replacements fit pretty well out of the box. The rest need some work to line up properly.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I would recommend Flex-fit. Got mine direct from Toledo Pro,
and it fit the 75 nose like a glove ... no rework required.
Of course, these were hand-assembled cars, so you may or may not have fitment issues.
and it fit the 75 nose like a glove ... no rework required.
Of course, these were hand-assembled cars, so you may or may not have fitment issues.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 201
From: Waterford Mi
I have the Teledo Pro from Wilcox. The fit wasn't perfect but with a little work it is close. Depends on your taste, if you like things to be easy, go for the urathane replacement.
bumper replacement
bumper replacement
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
I went with a truflex from paragon and the fit wasn't too bad. I still spent 10-12 hours fitting it. had to do a bit of sanding and filling on one side, but I think most of that was due to a previous accident tha wasn't repaired right.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
I prefer the standard fiberglass covers over the flex and urethane. I found that the flex covers don't always flex enough without distortion in another area. After doing a few of these, I feel that since most applications will need filler to match the body, the standard fiberglass is a better base than the flex style. Fortunately you have a '73 so fitment across the front is easier than later cars but the ends will be your main problem area. As said, it might fit out of the box or it might not, unfortunately you won't know until after the purchase. The urethane will conform to almost any body.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
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From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 1
From: plymouth mass
The 73/74 bumper is still available from GM. Also, you might try GM parts direct, their price is a lot cheaper than a dealership. The list is about $740, and the jobber price is about $540. The GM parts direct price is about $450.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
I want to thank everyone for their responses, I really do appreciate it. After some consideration, I think that I agree with "Corvette Ed" and will go with the OEM. "Chuck D" I followed your advice and went to GM Parts Direct and it looks like it sells for $458.11. They have it listed as a bumper cover, so I assume that it is the proper part (#6263597). I also want to ask if I need any other parts, or do I just use all other existing hardware over again?
Thanks,
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Hello Again,
I want to thank everyone for their responses, I really do appreciate it. After some consideration, I think that I agree with "Corvette Ed" and will go with the OEM. "Chuck D" I followed your advice and went to GM Parts Direct and it looks like it sells for $458.11. They have it listed as a bumper cover, so I assume that it is the proper part (#6263597). I also want to ask if I need any other parts, or do I just use all other existing hardware over again?
Thanks,
Bill
I want to thank everyone for their responses, I really do appreciate it. After some consideration, I think that I agree with "Corvette Ed" and will go with the OEM. "Chuck D" I followed your advice and went to GM Parts Direct and it looks like it sells for $458.11. They have it listed as a bumper cover, so I assume that it is the proper part (#6263597). I also want to ask if I need any other parts, or do I just use all other existing hardware over again?
Thanks,
Bill
If you can get your original hardware off without breaking it, you can reuse it. If not, the standard Vette parts catalogs (Ecklers, Zip, etc.) have replacement parts.
Here is a pic of my fiberglass one. It turned out pretty well. A GM replacement would have been much easier though.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
Some of the members have indicated that the fiberglass and truflex bumpers may be harder to fit then the OEM bumpers. Some of the pictures I have seen, including yours, look very good to me, but I am not as good at bondo work as you guys seem to be. I would rather install the OEM rubber bumper and take it to the body shop to be painted.
I think I will just order new hardware when I order the bumper. It doesn’t cost that much more and I’m already in up to my neck.
Thanks for your input. I do appreciate it.
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Hi Jeff,
Some of the members have indicated that the fiberglass and truflex bumpers may be harder to fit then the OEM bumpers. Some of the pictures I have seen, including yours, look very good to me, but I am not as good at bondo work as you guys seem to be. I would rather install the OEM rubber bumper and take it to the body shop to be painted.
I think I will just order new hardware when I order the bumper. It doesn’t cost that much more and I’m already in up to my neck.
Thanks for your input. I do appreciate it.
Bill
Some of the members have indicated that the fiberglass and truflex bumpers may be harder to fit then the OEM bumpers. Some of the pictures I have seen, including yours, look very good to me, but I am not as good at bondo work as you guys seem to be. I would rather install the OEM rubber bumper and take it to the body shop to be painted.
I think I will just order new hardware when I order the bumper. It doesn’t cost that much more and I’m already in up to my neck.
Thanks for your input. I do appreciate it.
Bill
It was quite a project to get it to fit correctly. I am no body man so it took me 20 hours or so to get it right. I would apply a little Bondo-glass then fit it to the car, then sand, then more Bondo and repeat. I seriously considered getting an OEM one but I don't like the wavy look they have sometimes.
Good luck and have fun.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
I am following your advice, Corvette Ed, and decided to go with the OEM bumper.
I spent two hours yesterday taking the rubber bumper off of the vette. It was an easier job then I thought it might have been. The rubber was so dry that it wound up in nine pieces by the time I finished. All of the other parts are in good shape, so I will be using them over.
I ordered the new bumper from GM Parts Direct as suggested by Chuck D. It turns out that it is a special order item and might take some time to get. Has anybody else ordered this part from them and if so, how long did it take to get?
Also, if anybody has any tricks or tips for me on how to do this job, please pass them along. It will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Hello Again,
I am following your advice, Corvette Ed, and decided to go with the OEM bumper.
I spent two hours yesterday taking the rubber bumper off of the vette. It was an easier job then I thought it might have been. The rubber was so dry that it wound up in nine pieces by the time I finished. All of the other parts are in good shape, so I will be using them over.
I ordered the new bumper from GM Parts Direct as suggested by Chuck D. It turns out that it is a special order item and might take some time to get. Has anybody else ordered this part from them and if so, how long did it take to get?
Also, if anybody has any tricks or tips for me on how to do this job, please pass them along. It will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
I am following your advice, Corvette Ed, and decided to go with the OEM bumper.
I spent two hours yesterday taking the rubber bumper off of the vette. It was an easier job then I thought it might have been. The rubber was so dry that it wound up in nine pieces by the time I finished. All of the other parts are in good shape, so I will be using them over.
I ordered the new bumper from GM Parts Direct as suggested by Chuck D. It turns out that it is a special order item and might take some time to get. Has anybody else ordered this part from them and if so, how long did it take to get?
Also, if anybody has any tricks or tips for me on how to do this job, please pass them along. It will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
Good luck!
Last edited by 1974slcvette; Jun 14, 2007 at 09:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
I bought mine from GM Parts direct (and it was called a bumper cover).... I believe it took about 4 weeks for delivery. I was never able to get a quote from any of the auto body shops in the area, so I ended up painting it myself. Fit was very easy though. I actually mounted it myself. If I recall correctly, I did the top row of bolts first, followed by the right and left sides, and finished with the bottom. Don't tighten anything down, until it is all bolted up. Alignment was a piece of cake, because it it pretty flexible. Oh, and having the headlights up provides the needed working clearance.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I have a local body shop that will spray it for me but, I don’t know what he will charge me yet.
Thanks for the tips.
Bill
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
When I got home from work today I started to work on it. I had to do quite a bit of sanding to get rid of the rough edges and marks from the mold, but all in all it wasn’t too bad. At 8:45 this evening I had it all back together again.
I want to thank Corvette Ed for suggesting that I use OEM parts. This thing fits like a glove. Not much trouble at all fitting it. I have a total of 6 ½ hours into it and all I need now is paint.
I bought mine from GM Parts direct (and it was called a bumper cover).... I believe it took about 4 weeks for delivery. I was never able to get a quote from any of the auto body shops in the area, so I ended up painting it myself. Fit was very easy though. I actually mounted it myself. If I recall correctly, I did the top row of bolts first, followed by the right and left sides, and finished with the bottom. Don't tighten anything down, until it is all bolted up. Alignment was a piece of cake, because it it pretty flexible. Oh, and having the headlights up provides the needed working clearance.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 1
From: plymouth mass
I ordered the bumper cover from GM Parts Direct on June 11, 2007 and received it today. It only took 11 days including shipping. Much faster then I thought.
When I got home from work today I started to work on it. I had to do quite a bit of sanding to get rid of the rough edges and marks from the mold, but all in all it wasn’t too bad. At 8:45 this evening I had it all back together again.
I want to thank Corvette Ed for suggesting that I use OEM parts. This thing fits like a glove. Not much trouble at all fitting it. I have a total of 6 ½ hours into it and all I need now is paint.
1974slcvette, I followed your tips and it couldn’t have been much easier. Thanks
When I got home from work today I started to work on it. I had to do quite a bit of sanding to get rid of the rough edges and marks from the mold, but all in all it wasn’t too bad. At 8:45 this evening I had it all back together again.
I want to thank Corvette Ed for suggesting that I use OEM parts. This thing fits like a glove. Not much trouble at all fitting it. I have a total of 6 ½ hours into it and all I need now is paint.
1974slcvette, I followed your tips and it couldn’t have been much easier. Thanks
Chuck D
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Stony Brook New York
I have this car since 1995 and have only put 9000 miles on it. I bought the car with 36000 miles on it and wanted to keep the mileage low so I haven’t used it much. It is a double edge sword. I want to use it more, but I don’t want to rack up the mileage. What is the point of having a car like this if I don’t use it?
Well good luck replacing your bumper cover and I hope it goes as well as mine did.
Bill