chrome bumper question?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 2
From: Queens NY
chrome bumper question?
Is it possible to convert the front and rear bumpers from a 76-77 vette to make it it look like a 68-72 front and rear Chrome bumper car? And if so would the cost be so astronomical not to be worth it? Thanks..
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
use the search feature on this forum its your friend.
to answer your question, its pretty simple.
1. It would cost alot of money to do, and if very difficult, BUT there is a forum member here that is making kit.
2. If you ever want to retain your corvette's future value, dont do this.
to answer your question, its pretty simple.
1. It would cost alot of money to do, and if very difficult, BUT there is a forum member here that is making kit.
2. If you ever want to retain your corvette's future value, dont do this.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 2
From: Queens NY
Appreciate the advice but don't care about modifying it,people fo this all the time,and I have been looking for a while now for a Chrome bumper car and there not easy to come by( overpriced) and I think the 76-7 are better drivers but I love the look of the Chrome bumpers..I'm not a newbie..but I fo appreciate the advice...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Here's the link if you want to check it out but I agree with chstitians42.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...es-flares.html
You will end up spending more money converting the one you have and at the same time devalue it to most than if you just sold it and bought the car you really want. Just my opinion mind you.
I was typing while you were so disregard my opinion.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...es-flares.html
You will end up spending more money converting the one you have and at the same time devalue it to most than if you just sold it and bought the car you really want. Just my opinion mind you.
I was typing while you were so disregard my opinion.
Last edited by DZRick; Oct 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 2
From: Queens NY
Here's the link if you want to check it out but I agree with chstitians42.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...es-flares.html
You will end up spending more money converting the one you have and at the same time devalue it to most than if you just sold it and bought the car you really want. Just my opinion mind you.
I was typing while you were so disregard my opinion.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...es-flares.html
You will end up spending more money converting the one you have and at the same time devalue it to most than if you just sold it and bought the car you really want. Just my opinion mind you.
I was typing while you were so disregard my opinion.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Here are some "cool" "custom" things people did to corvettes in the past.
1. The '63 Corvette has that ugly bar through the rear window. Lets cut it out and put in a window from a '64!
2. My chrome bumper car got wrecked in the front, lets put on a '74 ad up front clip to make it look like a '73!
3. OR we could put the '80-'82 front and rear clips on it and make it look like the "new" '80- '82 models!!
4. My chrome bumper car got hit in the back, lets mod it and put a '78 and up rear window in it!
5. OR we could put that cool Ecklers kit on it and make it a Corvette WAGON!
6. OR we can put that nova style hatch back over the rear window. Don't forget the louvers.
People all the time look at these "mods" and say "how could someone possibly do this to a Corvette!?!?!" "What were they thinking back then??!?!?"
Just my opinion mind you, the late C3 Corvettes are the last "old" corvettes,meaning not electrical nightmares etc. In a few years, even the rubber bumper cars are going to climb in value. When that happens, the ones that will be worth the most, are the ones that are mostly original. It has been proven with the chrome bumper C3s.
Not knocking the custom mind set, or the hard work that people put into their cars, I just think that this will go down in history with all the other mods... (see above)
1. The '63 Corvette has that ugly bar through the rear window. Lets cut it out and put in a window from a '64!
2. My chrome bumper car got wrecked in the front, lets put on a '74 ad up front clip to make it look like a '73!
3. OR we could put the '80-'82 front and rear clips on it and make it look like the "new" '80- '82 models!!
4. My chrome bumper car got hit in the back, lets mod it and put a '78 and up rear window in it!
5. OR we could put that cool Ecklers kit on it and make it a Corvette WAGON!
6. OR we can put that nova style hatch back over the rear window. Don't forget the louvers.
People all the time look at these "mods" and say "how could someone possibly do this to a Corvette!?!?!" "What were they thinking back then??!?!?"
Just my opinion mind you, the late C3 Corvettes are the last "old" corvettes,meaning not electrical nightmares etc. In a few years, even the rubber bumper cars are going to climb in value. When that happens, the ones that will be worth the most, are the ones that are mostly original. It has been proven with the chrome bumper C3s.
Not knocking the custom mind set, or the hard work that people put into their cars, I just think that this will go down in history with all the other mods... (see above)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 2
From: Queens NY
Here are some "cool" "custom" things people did to corvettes in the past.
1. The '63 Corvette has that ugly bar through the rear window. Lets cut it out and put in a window from a '64!
2. My chrome bumper car got wrecked in the front, lets put on a '74 ad up front clip to make it look like a '73!
3. OR we could put the '80-'82 front and rear clips on it and make it look like the "new" '80- '82 models!!
4. My chrome bumper car got hit in the back, lets mod it and put a '78 and up rear window in it!
5. OR we could put that cool Ecklers kit on it and make it a Corvette WAGON!
6. OR we can put that nova style hatch back over the rear window. Don't forget the louvers.
People all the time look at these "mods" and say "how could someone possibly do this to a Corvette!?!?!" "What were they thinking back then??!?!?"
Just my opinion mind you, the late C3 Corvettes are the last "old" corvettes,meaning not electrical nightmares etc. In a few years, even the rubber bumper cars are going to climb in value. When that happens, the ones that will be worth the most, are the ones that are mostly original. It has been proven with the chrome bumper C3s.
Not knocking the custom mind set, or the hard work that people put into their cars, I just think that this will go down in history with all the other mods... (see above)
1. The '63 Corvette has that ugly bar through the rear window. Lets cut it out and put in a window from a '64!
2. My chrome bumper car got wrecked in the front, lets put on a '74 ad up front clip to make it look like a '73!
3. OR we could put the '80-'82 front and rear clips on it and make it look like the "new" '80- '82 models!!
4. My chrome bumper car got hit in the back, lets mod it and put a '78 and up rear window in it!
5. OR we could put that cool Ecklers kit on it and make it a Corvette WAGON!
6. OR we can put that nova style hatch back over the rear window. Don't forget the louvers.
People all the time look at these "mods" and say "how could someone possibly do this to a Corvette!?!?!" "What were they thinking back then??!?!?"
Just my opinion mind you, the late C3 Corvettes are the last "old" corvettes,meaning not electrical nightmares etc. In a few years, even the rubber bumper cars are going to climb in value. When that happens, the ones that will be worth the most, are the ones that are mostly original. It has been proven with the chrome bumper C3s.
Not knocking the custom mind set, or the hard work that people put into their cars, I just think that this will go down in history with all the other mods... (see above)
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
I'm old school so for the most part I agree and I was around when some of my friends changed! There 63 to make them look like a 64! But like I sad been looking for a while I have even traveled 300 miles to look at a car and was disappointed..figured it migjt be easier to get 77 and convert it...
Last edited by chstitans42; Oct 29, 2011 at 01:05 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 113
Likes: 8
From: Attleboro Falls MA
regardless of the mods you do to a 77, people will be able to tell pretty much instantly that you don't have a real chrome bumper car. I mean the hood is different, the side grills are different, the wipers are different, the rear deck is different, emblems, interior... it goes on. To some that isn't a problem,but if chrome bumpers are what you want, then go for it. try a '73, they are a lot cheaper than the earlier ones
I settled on a 73 because it was a good balance between price and chrome bumpers. I really only dislike the look of the rear bumper on the rubber bumper cars. The front doesn't really bother me so it made the 73 perfect.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,966
Likes: 6,196
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
You may not care but another issue is the giggle factor you will receive from other Corvette owners. I know everyone will pretend only a couple horrible people in the world actually do that, but the fact is, that car would be ridiculed.
It simply makes no sense to destroy a 76-77 and make it into a wannabe early car. Those cars are not such "better drivers" than chrome bumper cars that you should buy one for $8000, spend 10000 making it look like a real chrome bumper car, and winding up with a parts junker Frankenstein worth $2000 when you are done.
If you dont care about modifications, buy a cheap 68-72 car and benefit from the huge price difference of having the wrong engine numbers and bad paint. You can buy a coupe in this configuration surprisingly cheap. Add nice suspension, tires and especially a fiberglass rear spring, making it just as nice a driver as a cheap '76 Then paint it whatever color you like and finish it your way.
It simply makes no sense to destroy a 76-77 and make it into a wannabe early car. Those cars are not such "better drivers" than chrome bumper cars that you should buy one for $8000, spend 10000 making it look like a real chrome bumper car, and winding up with a parts junker Frankenstein worth $2000 when you are done.
If you dont care about modifications, buy a cheap 68-72 car and benefit from the huge price difference of having the wrong engine numbers and bad paint. You can buy a coupe in this configuration surprisingly cheap. Add nice suspension, tires and especially a fiberglass rear spring, making it just as nice a driver as a cheap '76 Then paint it whatever color you like and finish it your way.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 2
From: Queens NY
[QUOTE=Vettebuyer5869;1579086892]You may not care but another issue is the giggle factor you will receive from other Corvette owners. I know everyone will pretend only a couple horrible people in the world actually do that, but the fact is, that car would be ridiculed.
It simply makes no sense to destroy a 76-77 and make it into a wannabe early car. Those cars are not such "better drivers" than chrome bumper cars that you should buy one for $8000, spend 10000 making it look like a real chrome bumper car, and winding up with a parts junker Frankenstein worth $2000 when you are done.
If you dont care about modifications, buy a cheap 68-72 car and benefit from the huge price difference of having the wrong engine numbers and bad paint. You can buy a coupe in this configuration surprisingly cheap. Add nice suspension, tires and especially a fiberglass rear spring, making it just as nice a driver as a cheap '76 Then paint it whatever color you like and finish it your way.[/QUO
Did not really do any homework when I thru this question out there,but like i said been looking for a while now and the junk that people are trying to sell for 69-72 for 15-25gs is crazy!Was thinking about converting and thought it would look like a chrome car was wrong on my part,I will go back to looking for a 70-72 which is really what I want,if you come across any 4spd sml block,no red, yellow,white please let me know?Thanks..Steve
(btw I really do not give 2 sh-ts what the corvette comunity thinks about what I do,with all due respect)
It simply makes no sense to destroy a 76-77 and make it into a wannabe early car. Those cars are not such "better drivers" than chrome bumper cars that you should buy one for $8000, spend 10000 making it look like a real chrome bumper car, and winding up with a parts junker Frankenstein worth $2000 when you are done.
If you dont care about modifications, buy a cheap 68-72 car and benefit from the huge price difference of having the wrong engine numbers and bad paint. You can buy a coupe in this configuration surprisingly cheap. Add nice suspension, tires and especially a fiberglass rear spring, making it just as nice a driver as a cheap '76 Then paint it whatever color you like and finish it your way.[/QUO
Did not really do any homework when I thru this question out there,but like i said been looking for a while now and the junk that people are trying to sell for 69-72 for 15-25gs is crazy!Was thinking about converting and thought it would look like a chrome car was wrong on my part,I will go back to looking for a 70-72 which is really what I want,if you come across any 4spd sml block,no red, yellow,white please let me know?Thanks..Steve
(btw I really do not give 2 sh-ts what the corvette comunity thinks about what I do,with all due respect)
lol
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 113
Likes: 8
From: Attleboro Falls MA
You buy the car...do whatever you want to it. We may not agree, but we are not paying for it. The one valid argument I'm seeing in this thread is you will destroy the value of the car on top of throwing tons into it. If that doesn't deter you, then go for it. It's your money.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
wow alot of haters out there...
Back when I built the Mistress I got no flack at all except for one member and that was you Vettebuyer5869.
My car has NEVER been ridiculed or giggled at!! In fact my car got such rave reviews that I duplicated the whole car so I could make kits because people just had to have it.
You chrome bumper guys are ridiculous. You think that because I am making it easier for a few people to have chrome bumper clones that I am going to affect your resale values and that is just stupid. The resale is based on the vin number. All I am doing is making it so that guys that can't afford the high price of a chrome bumper car can still have the great looks of a chrome bumper car. And it will put a few more of those "ugly" rubber bumper cars back on the road that are so affordable and readily available. I mean no disrespect to the guys that like the looks of their 74-82 cars.
I think I am going to start a club called the "Clone Bumper Club"
For those of you that forgot what the Mistress looked like or have not seen her, here are a few reminders. And Stevenyc777 stay tuned because I am converting a 76 in a few months and I bet that you will really like it. And in closing YES, I can make this conversion affordable. Give me a call or send me an email and I will get you the info that you are looking for.
Josh
507-581-3076
CustomImageCorvettes@gmail.com
Back when I built the Mistress I got no flack at all except for one member and that was you Vettebuyer5869.
My car has NEVER been ridiculed or giggled at!! In fact my car got such rave reviews that I duplicated the whole car so I could make kits because people just had to have it.
You chrome bumper guys are ridiculous. You think that because I am making it easier for a few people to have chrome bumper clones that I am going to affect your resale values and that is just stupid. The resale is based on the vin number. All I am doing is making it so that guys that can't afford the high price of a chrome bumper car can still have the great looks of a chrome bumper car. And it will put a few more of those "ugly" rubber bumper cars back on the road that are so affordable and readily available. I mean no disrespect to the guys that like the looks of their 74-82 cars.
I think I am going to start a club called the "Clone Bumper Club"
For those of you that forgot what the Mistress looked like or have not seen her, here are a few reminders. And Stevenyc777 stay tuned because I am converting a 76 in a few months and I bet that you will really like it. And in closing YES, I can make this conversion affordable. Give me a call or send me an email and I will get you the info that you are looking for.
Josh
507-581-3076
CustomImageCorvettes@gmail.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
What were there 4 guys that posted and only 1 that I might define as a hater. Even if all four of us were "haters" I'd hardly think that's a lot.
Josh,
I like your project but unless you post what your kit costs to prove my statement wrong I stand by it. Not hating at all.
You want to talk about being a hater, consider your quote.
"You chrome bumper guys are ridiculous."
Josh,
I like your project but unless you post what your kit costs to prove my statement wrong I stand by it. Not hating at all.
You want to talk about being a hater, consider your quote.
"You chrome bumper guys are ridiculous."
Last edited by DZRick; Oct 31, 2011 at 05:56 PM.