1974 only.
Split bumper - 74
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Split bumper - 74
Is the '74 the only year of the split rear bumper or is that the year it start for a few years?
Thanks ya'll,
Kevin
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG
Thanks ya'll,
Kevin
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 98
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
History of the major changes in 1974 - Rear Bumper
Major changes for 1974 involved the following:
* A restyled, sloping rear end
o elimination of the conventional rear bumper and replaced by a body-color urethane bumper
o The new rear end eliminated the last vestiges of the long-lived rear-deck-lid spoiler and replaced it with a smooth-surfaced rear deck and a body-colored resilient urethane extension covering the actual rear bumper and including the circular taillights
o The new rear end met federal energy-absorbing standards
o It added 30 pounds to the weight of the Corvette
o The rear cap section was of a two-piece design for 1974, but was changed to a one-piece design with a pair of fake bumperettes molded in for 1975
o The increased weight of the rear end cap necessitated minor suspension changes such as revised front and rear sprig rates.
Major changes for 1974 involved the following:
* A restyled, sloping rear end
o elimination of the conventional rear bumper and replaced by a body-color urethane bumper
o The new rear end eliminated the last vestiges of the long-lived rear-deck-lid spoiler and replaced it with a smooth-surfaced rear deck and a body-colored resilient urethane extension covering the actual rear bumper and including the circular taillights
o The new rear end met federal energy-absorbing standards
o It added 30 pounds to the weight of the Corvette
o The rear cap section was of a two-piece design for 1974, but was changed to a one-piece design with a pair of fake bumperettes molded in for 1975
o The increased weight of the rear end cap necessitated minor suspension changes such as revised front and rear sprig rates.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
History of the major changes in 1974 - Rear Bumper
Major changes for 1974 involved the following:
* A restyled, sloping rear end
o elimination of the conventional rear bumper and replaced by a body-color urethane bumper
o The new rear end eliminated the last vestiges of the long-lived rear-deck-lid spoiler and replaced it with a smooth-surfaced rear deck and a body-colored resilient urethane extension covering the actual rear bumper and including the circular taillights
o The new rear end met federal energy-absorbing standards
o It added 30 pounds to the weight of the Corvette
o The rear cap section was of a two-piece design for 1974, but was changed to a one-piece design with a pair of fake bumperettes molded in for 1975
o The increased weight of the rear end cap necessitated minor suspension changes such as revised front and rear sprig rates.
Major changes for 1974 involved the following:
* A restyled, sloping rear end
o elimination of the conventional rear bumper and replaced by a body-color urethane bumper
o The new rear end eliminated the last vestiges of the long-lived rear-deck-lid spoiler and replaced it with a smooth-surfaced rear deck and a body-colored resilient urethane extension covering the actual rear bumper and including the circular taillights
o The new rear end met federal energy-absorbing standards
o It added 30 pounds to the weight of the Corvette
o The rear cap section was of a two-piece design for 1974, but was changed to a one-piece design with a pair of fake bumperettes molded in for 1975
o The increased weight of the rear end cap necessitated minor suspension changes such as revised front and rear sprig rates.
And of course year-only tail-lamp pods.
Last edited by Paul L; May 5, 2009 at 07:00 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Florida
I have a 74 also. According to this link it's the only one.
http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet74.htm
http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet74.htm
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 1
From: Madison Wisconsin
This is my guess but in 1974 urethane bumpers on any car was a new thing and Corvette was the only car to have one. So the process to make a complete one piece rea bumper may not have been fully understood or worked out yet even know a front cover already existed. And by 75 they (GM) probably had the process worked out more completely resulting in a one piece bumper. Just a guess.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
This is my guess but in 1974 urethane bumpers on any car was a new thing and Corvette was the only car to have one. So the process to make a complete one piece rea bumper may not have been fully understood or worked out yet even know a front cover already existed. And by 75 they (GM) probably had the process worked out more completely resulting in a one piece bumper. Just a guess.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Quincy MA
Funny, cleaned her up nice, waxed....nice and spiffy, we take a Saturday night cruise to the local ice cream shop, on the way there, stop and fill up, guy shouts over, nice car, what year, 77??? I say, thanks, close, but '74, he says, ahh changed the rear bumper huh?? Said nah...he said, check into it, 77's the only yr for split rr bumpers hahhaahaaaaa moron :-)
KO
KO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 1
From: PALM COAST Flordia
FYI
GM brochure courtesy Skip Marketti of The Nethercutt Collection
1974 completed what was started in 1973; this time the rear chrome bumpers were gone, also to accommodate new safety regulations. Corvette stylists had done chrome better than anyone, as a glance at any of the C1 Corvettes would attest.
Some Corvette fans thought the cars looked "unfinished" although designer Larry Shinoda is reported to have approved, saying it was actually closer to what the stylists intended.
Whatever your conclusion, one thing is for sure: The Corvette bumper solution was far better than anything else on the road at the time. Other cars had what can best be described as "Park Benches" as a solution, leading to a general automotive design malaise.
The 1974 rear bumper cap was a two piece design, exclusive for that year.
GM brochure courtesy Skip Marketti of The Nethercutt Collection
1974 completed what was started in 1973; this time the rear chrome bumpers were gone, also to accommodate new safety regulations. Corvette stylists had done chrome better than anyone, as a glance at any of the C1 Corvettes would attest.
Some Corvette fans thought the cars looked "unfinished" although designer Larry Shinoda is reported to have approved, saying it was actually closer to what the stylists intended.
Whatever your conclusion, one thing is for sure: The Corvette bumper solution was far better than anything else on the road at the time. Other cars had what can best be described as "Park Benches" as a solution, leading to a general automotive design malaise.
The 1974 rear bumper cap was a two piece design, exclusive for that year.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2,088
From: Minnesota
