Thought about restoring '73-'82 Vettes...
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 14,057
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Thought about restoring '73-'82 Vettes...
If I was restoring a '73-'82 Vette I think I would replace the urethane bumpers with fiberglass. I've noticed that the catalogs (such as Ecklers) have fiberglass replacements that look stock.
I understand why they started using the urethane (5 mph) bumpers in 1973, but I just don't think they look good for long. To me nothing looks worse than a nice C3 with wavy bumpers and paint that doesn't match because the materials don't weather paint the same way.
What do the forum owners here think? Is it a good idea to replace the urethane with fiberglass when restoring a non-chromie C3?
I understand why they started using the urethane (5 mph) bumpers in 1973, but I just don't think they look good for long. To me nothing looks worse than a nice C3 with wavy bumpers and paint that doesn't match because the materials don't weather paint the same way.
What do the forum owners here think? Is it a good idea to replace the urethane with fiberglass when restoring a non-chromie C3?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
So long as you can afford it the fiberglass bumpers will look a lot better once mounted and painted.
If you want to go the full mile, have a body shop blend the two pieces together so there is no seam.
THAT is a hot look.
If you want to go the full mile, have a body shop blend the two pieces together so there is no seam.
THAT is a hot look.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I agree the glass cover looks better but think the seam should be there. If you take your time with the fit, a good tight seam looks killer!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
My 81 has both front and rear fiberglass bumpers (previous owner installed) and my 80 has the factory urethane one. The 80 is warped slightly in the rear and slightly more in the front - it looks like someone put the wrong bumper on it and kind of crammed it in to fit, even though it's never been removed or modified. I hate that look and I see it on just about every Florida C3 that hasn't had the bumpers replaced.
And you're dead on about the paint - the paint on the 80 is only 5 years old, always garage kept, and in certain lighting it already is starting to look like two different colors. Meanwhile the 81, which has an older paint job than the 80, looks as good as the day it left the factory all because of the fiberglass bumpers.
I've heard it's a pain in the *** to fit them though. My 81 was a perfect fit, but since it was done by the previous owner I don't know how much of a struggle it was to get it that way.
Last edited by Ron R; Sep 6, 2007 at 03:53 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Would you happen to have a pic of a vette that's been done that way? Might be something to consider when I get around to replacing the 80's urethane with fiberglass.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I went with a fiberglass front bumper from ACI. I also don't like the wavy look of the original covers. I'm not a big fan of the seamless look either.
Just gotta get it painted now.
Just gotta get it painted now.
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Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 14,057
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
I would like to see the front view of that seamless aqua/cream-colored Vette. I think the seamless look is best for a show only car. For some reason I think it makes the car look "too plasticy" for lack of a better description.
Does anyone have pics of installed painted fiberglass bumpers with standard seams?
After 5 years is there any rubber bumper C3 that really looks good with urethane bumpers?. Most garage C3s I've seen still have urethane that slumps a little bit and paint that just doesn't look right.
Does anyone have pics of installed painted fiberglass bumpers with standard seams?
After 5 years is there any rubber bumper C3 that really looks good with urethane bumpers?. Most garage C3s I've seen still have urethane that slumps a little bit and paint that just doesn't look right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Eagle River Alaska
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Seamless can look really sharp.. I've seen a few and liked them all..as for dont tap anything, seam or no seam thats an issue in a car with fiberglass covers. Yes you might only damage the covers in a slow speed parking lot tap, but anything over a few miles per hour will transfer right into the fenders of a car with fiberglass caps its just something you have to be aware of.
The eurathane noses wont transfer the hit to the body as much as the glass ones. - i have a glass rear and eurathane nose...the nose has been hit a few times and repaired up nicely... ive been fortunate the rear hasnt been touched.
The eurathane noses wont transfer the hit to the body as much as the glass ones. - i have a glass rear and eurathane nose...the nose has been hit a few times and repaired up nicely... ive been fortunate the rear hasnt been touched.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I have a '75 with rear fiber bumper put on before I got the car. Had to
have the front one done and the people that put it on (these people
toured the St Louis plant, etc and know Vettes) would only put on a
rubber on front because of the fit. They also did the paint and after 7
years looks great and the paint is a beautiful match. FYI - and you
experts already know this. But, they took the gas cap assembly off
to get an exact paint match.
have the front one done and the people that put it on (these people
toured the St Louis plant, etc and know Vettes) would only put on a
rubber on front because of the fit. They also did the paint and after 7
years looks great and the paint is a beautiful match. FYI - and you
experts already know this. But, they took the gas cap assembly off
to get an exact paint match.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
this is my dads 76 with a 80 something rear bumper i believe, previous owner was a body man he did it. i think it's one of the cars best qualities. now we just gotta get rid of those hideous headlights.
personally i'd swap the hood to an LT1 hood but dad likes the hood thats on there now, and doesnt think the trouble is worth it. i'm defently lowering this car at least 1.5" and am trying to talk him into TTII 16 or 17" wheels. think that would just make this car bad ***!
personally i'd swap the hood to an LT1 hood but dad likes the hood thats on there now, and doesnt think the trouble is worth it. i'm defently lowering this car at least 1.5" and am trying to talk him into TTII 16 or 17" wheels. think that would just make this car bad ***!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I have fiberglass on the front and factory bumper on rear. I didn't change the rear beause it never got wavey so I left it alone.
Just don't hit anything with fiberglass.
I rebuilt this 81 to the way I wanted it. If I did it again it would be a chrome bumper car. I would go for the 73.
Just my 2 cents.
Just don't hit anything with fiberglass.
I rebuilt this 81 to the way I wanted it. If I did it again it would be a chrome bumper car. I would go for the 73.
Just my 2 cents.
