As I said in a previous post, I'm working on a '73 and the rubber/ plastic front bumper is toast.
I did a search in this forum and didn't come up with anything.
Can anyone help me out with a fiberglass replacement tutorial how to or what would you collectively recommend as a replacement.
My mechanical skills are good, my body repair skills are (Bo) Diddley.
Is everything about this car so difficult or is it just my typical luck?
Thanks again.
Skip in Houston

 

Replacing the bumper is not difficult. When it becomes a challenge is if the new one doesn't fit quite right and you have to do body work to get the lines correct. From what I have read here, it seems like the rubber replacement bumpers fit well. GM still sells them and they are good quality. There are many companies making "Tru-Flex" (flexible fiberglass) and regular (non-flexable) fiberglass bumpers. These usually take more work to get fitted. Last winter I replaced the cover on my '73. I got a regular fiberglass one from ACI. I spent about 30 hours getting it to line up right. I am not a body man either but I took my time and it came out fine.
Here are some pictures.
This is what it looked like when I got it.



This was the problem area on mine. The left side was about 1/4" short of the body line. I had to add 4 layers of fiberglass and then some bondoglass on top of that.



There was also a gap between the mounting edge of the bumper and the body.





It fits pretty well now. I'll let a professional finish fitting it when I get the car painted.


Just take your time. Add some fiberglass or body filler, do some sanding, fit it to the car, and repeat the process about 1000 times.
Have fun and good luck.

 

I replaced mine with the Trueflex from Wilcox. They are made by Toledo Pro. The fit was not bad but evry car is different.
Bumper

 

I just bought the GM urethane cover for my '73 but haven't mounted it yet. I mounted same part on a previous '73 about 4 yrs ago with no hitches. Hopefully this will be the same. With a discount it was $596.00, list was right around $795 .

 

...I put this same front bumper cover on my '74 about three years ago and because it's flexible urethane just like the original, it will install on your car with NO modifications & no gaps. Unlike the "rigid", or non-flexible bumpers, this bumper will "contour" to your car's body lines as it's gently "snugged up" with the original/original style retainers.

 

I was going to that if you don't have time to "fit" it, then urethane may be the way to go. Should fit with little problem.

However, eventually, it may warp and wave a little as the heat from the sun warms it up. But it could take years for that to happen, maybe then you could buy another one.

 

[QUOTE=Bruthish;1563069911

However, eventually, it may warp and wave a little as the heat from the sun warms it up. [/QUOTE]

This is why I went with the fiberglass. I don't like the wavy look.

 

Yes , very happy that the fit is good, as was with my other '73 it did fit well. I didnt want to fight with it, and I like factory stuff better. to "skipinhouston" , If you can stand the price go with the GM part. A little waviness doesnt bother me esp. when I know it is factory. Just my own take.

 

I went with the OEM cover. With me doing the removal.fitting and install the cost was about $900 dollars.

 

Got mine from J&D Corvette in Bellflower, CA. Had it for several years now and it has held up jus fine. I had to take the long board to it to make it fit just right but it wound up just fine. They make their own parts at J&D and from my experience I reccomend them.