Question on replacement front bumper for 73
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 63
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From: Brookfield WI
Question on replacement front bumper for 73
Hi,
I'm new to the community and have a question concerning my 73 convertible. The front bumper needs to be replaced. I have priced the work out at several shops. Anything I need to be aware of before I proceed? Have heard that some replacement parts may have a warped appearance once installed? Would rather know what to expect now verses after work is completed.
Thanks!
I'm new to the community and have a question concerning my 73 convertible. The front bumper needs to be replaced. I have priced the work out at several shops. Anything I need to be aware of before I proceed? Have heard that some replacement parts may have a warped appearance once installed? Would rather know what to expect now verses after work is completed.
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
The original urethane bumpers might show some distortion, as they did originally.
You have to decide what you want to use.
There are a few different finishes now available. You will get many different opinions here, as to what to use.
But,,,,, If you want the original look and correctness, you need to use the urethane original style. IMHO.
You have to decide what you want to use.
There are a few different finishes now available. You will get many different opinions here, as to what to use.
But,,,,, If you want the original look and correctness, you need to use the urethane original style. IMHO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
I like the TRU-FLEX as opposed to the original urethane.
The plus's are no fading, no splitting due to age, and it has a nice uniform appearence (no waves).
The draw backs are, it takes a little more time to properly fit, and should you tap / hit anything, it may crack your fender's.
Depending on what your plans are for the car...i.e NCRS or other... will define your choice. Do a search on here, and you will get lots of opin's on the TRU-FLEX vs Urethane.
Stay in tune...
The plus's are no fading, no splitting due to age, and it has a nice uniform appearence (no waves).
The draw backs are, it takes a little more time to properly fit, and should you tap / hit anything, it may crack your fender's.
Depending on what your plans are for the car...i.e NCRS or other... will define your choice. Do a search on here, and you will get lots of opin's on the TRU-FLEX vs Urethane.
Stay in tune...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
You have 4 options for a 73-74 front bumper.
First would be to try and find a used one. This isn't all that easy as the urethane that GM used from 73-75/76 didn't hold up well. Any used bumper you find will likely have some warping or waviness.
You can by a rigid fibergalss bumper, that has no flex to it, but will maintain it's shape forever. Rigid glass bumpers sell for around $300-325.
You can also buy a "flexible" fiberglass bumper. The advantage to these is that they give the illusion of urethane, yet will never get wavy, and are cheaper than urethane. Flexible glass bumpers sell for $325-350. Another advantage to fiberglass, is that if it doesn't fit right you can sand, grind or fill a fiberglass bumper. With a urethane bumper, if it doesn't fit, you have to do body work to the nose of the car. This is ok if your painting the whole car, but not good if your just replacing the bumper.
The final option is an OEM urethane bumper. These are still available, but are very expensive, at around $850. If you have to have NCRS correct, this is the way to go. For any other purpose, the fiberglass is a better choice. The urethane will get wavy with age, there is no way around this.
First would be to try and find a used one. This isn't all that easy as the urethane that GM used from 73-75/76 didn't hold up well. Any used bumper you find will likely have some warping or waviness.
You can by a rigid fibergalss bumper, that has no flex to it, but will maintain it's shape forever. Rigid glass bumpers sell for around $300-325.
You can also buy a "flexible" fiberglass bumper. The advantage to these is that they give the illusion of urethane, yet will never get wavy, and are cheaper than urethane. Flexible glass bumpers sell for $325-350. Another advantage to fiberglass, is that if it doesn't fit right you can sand, grind or fill a fiberglass bumper. With a urethane bumper, if it doesn't fit, you have to do body work to the nose of the car. This is ok if your painting the whole car, but not good if your just replacing the bumper.
The final option is an OEM urethane bumper. These are still available, but are very expensive, at around $850. If you have to have NCRS correct, this is the way to go. For any other purpose, the fiberglass is a better choice. The urethane will get wavy with age, there is no way around this.
Last edited by gbvette62; Feb 18, 2011 at 07:51 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Your choice in my opinion... I used the flexible one on my 79 BUT used fiberglass ones on my 76 (both front and rear)... the fiberglass ones were a lot easier to "fit" correctly as someone noted because you can play with them a lot more ....
This was done at least 10 -15 years ago and both still look perfect
Having said that I honestly would "most" likely go with fibergass if I had to replace then again although I really like the flexible ones simply because they do flex and resemble the original Urathane...
I gotta ask you however why have a body shop install these things...
not exactly rocket science to replace one yourself nor is the job going to take you more then a few hours even if you have to mess with the fit a lot...
Bob G
This was done at least 10 -15 years ago and both still look perfect
Having said that I honestly would "most" likely go with fibergass if I had to replace then again although I really like the flexible ones simply because they do flex and resemble the original Urathane...
I gotta ask you however why have a body shop install these things...
not exactly rocket science to replace one yourself nor is the job going to take you more then a few hours even if you have to mess with the fit a lot...
Bob G
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
I just replaced mine and had the same questions.
The previous posts provide good info. My concern was that the rigid bumpers often don't fit your car without bodywork (grinding or adding filler) to the fenders and/or top panel. Not only is this a lot more work, it means repainting half the car.
I chose the urethane (from Zip), and was able to fit it nicely to the car -- and paint only the bumper cover.
This recent article may be of use:
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...all/index.html
The previous posts provide good info. My concern was that the rigid bumpers often don't fit your car without bodywork (grinding or adding filler) to the fenders and/or top panel. Not only is this a lot more work, it means repainting half the car.
I chose the urethane (from Zip), and was able to fit it nicely to the car -- and paint only the bumper cover.
This recent article may be of use:
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...all/index.html
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Lansing MI
I have a 73 that's going to need a nose once we get to that point. In the mean time, I've noticed some glass noses are apparently "glassed" right to the front clip because there's no visible line. I'm not shooting for NCRS but I do want the factory look with a body line. So my question is, if I buy a glass nose can I bolt it on? (or do they have to be bonded/glassed)
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,125
Likes: 9
From: Crescent City, CA
I have a 73 that's going to need a nose once we get to that point. In the mean time, I've noticed some glass noses are apparently "glassed" right to the front clip because there's no visible line. I'm not shooting for NCRS but I do want the factory look with a body line. So my question is, if I buy a glass nose can I bolt it on? (or do they have to be bonded/glassed)
Instead of the long top and curved side mounts, the fiberglass bumpers use individual bolts.
Hope this helps.
Terry
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Lansing MI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
If you buy and install a Tru-Flex or comparable glass bumper, most will not notice the difference until they tap on it! In plain english...it will look stock... but, without the wavy appearence of the original urethane bumper cover. Hope this clears up any question's you have.
Stay in tune....
