1973 bumper replacement
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Cruising
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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1973 bumper replacement
I'm replacing the front bumper on my 73. I bought a Truflex bumper and it's not even close. I could understand it if the bumper had been changed before or if the body had been damaged, but I removed the original bumper. I'm not saying anything bad about the company that made the bumper, I just looking for a few ideas to get this thing close.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 813
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From: N E area of state Kansas
the bumpers will not always be an exact match from what I hear, as there were really big tolerences in the fiberglass in the C3 era. I am guessing if anything the truflex is a little big, so it can be sanded to fit smoothly. I have one on my 74, but had a body shop do it. It was able to be sanded in and glassed in so that it has no seam line now.
Safety Car
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From: Waterford Mi
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I'm replacing the front bumper on my 73. I bought a Truflex bumper and it's not even close. I could understand it if the bumper had been changed before or if the body had been damaged, but I removed the original bumper. I'm not saying anything bad about the company that made the bumper, I just looking for a few ideas to get this thing close.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
I believe in the benefits of a truflex bumper. I used them on the front and back of my 74. I am also refinishing the entire car so I could do a little sanding or fine touching if needed.
I went to a few Corvette shows and really focused on their bumpers. Very few are "perfect" to me.
When you just hold the replacement bumper up there it is probably not going to line up anyhow.
Its fiberglass so it is a little more rigid. Try leaving it in the sun for a while to give it some play. Make sure you get the aftermarket bolt kit and you have got to get a buddy to help with this task. For me it took one guy under the car with the socket and another guy on the outside applying force to line up the bumper.
No it will not fit perfect like a stock one. However, it will not warp and fall apart like the old one either.
Your decision is if you are going to paint it prior to installation, you are committing to it even though it doesnt fit now. Are you going to install it then paint or paint it then install?
good luck either way you go.
john
I went to a few Corvette shows and really focused on their bumpers. Very few are "perfect" to me.
When you just hold the replacement bumper up there it is probably not going to line up anyhow.
Its fiberglass so it is a little more rigid. Try leaving it in the sun for a while to give it some play. Make sure you get the aftermarket bolt kit and you have got to get a buddy to help with this task. For me it took one guy under the car with the socket and another guy on the outside applying force to line up the bumper.
No it will not fit perfect like a stock one. However, it will not warp and fall apart like the old one either.
Your decision is if you are going to paint it prior to installation, you are committing to it even though it doesnt fit now. Are you going to install it then paint or paint it then install?
good luck either way you go.
john
Last edited by johnt365; Feb 9, 2009 at 09:04 PM.
