Chrome bumper conversion
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: portland or
I Know Josh (the guy that makes these) and he's a wizard with C3s. you guys can bash it all you want but there's a HUGE market for custom modding late model c3s. 1979 is the year of MY vette and when i'm done, the only original thing on there left will be the body 
i've already got the ls1 installed, 3" true dual exhaust with X-Pipe, t56 transmission, customizing my interior, MrMike's Leather Covers for the Fiero Seats, and a couple other tweaks.
so Yes, i would do this to my car if i had the money. which i will, eventually. a bubbleback shaved early c3 style corvette is definitely MY style it may not be for everyone but then again, i dont go around bashing people that keep their vettes stock, i can respect that
btw, Josh has some BEAUTIFUL flares he's done, i'm currently saving up to get my car up and running, and then will get the bumpers and flares all at once
i've already got the ls1 installed, 3" true dual exhaust with X-Pipe, t56 transmission, customizing my interior, MrMike's Leather Covers for the Fiero Seats, and a couple other tweaks. so Yes, i would do this to my car
if i had the money. which i will, eventually. a bubbleback shaved early c3 style corvette is definitely MY style it may not be for everyone but then again, i dont go around bashing people that keep their vettes stock, i can respect that btw, Josh has some BEAUTIFUL flares he's done, i'm currently saving up to get my car up and running, and then will get the bumpers and flares all at once
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
I have looked at this, and there are some people on the forum that have done this.
You can purchase the bolt on rear bumper cover...it IS the SAME to me as putting on the 80-82 bumper covers...it is THE SAME to me as Putting on an 80-82 front bumper or Piece.
If you call this Bubba, then you would have to Call PalmBeaches car bubba as well because he has an 81-82 front clip...It's your car...make it how you want...
Anyone that knows C3's will know that isn't a chrome bumper car...and to others it will look cool. as long as it is done right...who cares.
People flame it because they think it is trying to be a Chrome Bumper...but imo you are just making the car yours...Do what you want to it...I like it...If I bought a rubber bumper car...I was going to do a rear chrome bumper
You can purchase the bolt on rear bumper cover...it IS the SAME to me as putting on the 80-82 bumper covers...it is THE SAME to me as Putting on an 80-82 front bumper or Piece.
If you call this Bubba, then you would have to Call PalmBeaches car bubba as well because he has an 81-82 front clip...It's your car...make it how you want...
Anyone that knows C3's will know that isn't a chrome bumper car...and to others it will look cool. as long as it is done right...who cares.
People flame it because they think it is trying to be a Chrome Bumper...but imo you are just making the car yours...Do what you want to it...I like it...If I bought a rubber bumper car...I was going to do a rear chrome bumper
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Norton Ohio
I think it looks kind of cool on the 78 and up fastback rear end.I like the looks of 74 and up cars so I would not do it.But it is better than 80-82 under bite front end put on the 74-79 cars or the zr1 c4 rear end put on the back on the 74 and up cars.I would like see these cars judged at N.C.R.S meet would that be a full or part deduct?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Who's being politically correct???? All I'm reading here is posts from both sides. Haters gonna hate I guess. I say if it's your car, do what you want. It's just a car.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I say "why the heck not". You can always go back, right?
I do think it would look best on '74 to '77. Once you get into the hatch-glass years, I think it would start to look more dorky.
I do think it would look best on '74 to '77. Once you get into the hatch-glass years, I think it would start to look more dorky.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If you want to do this to your own car and for your own enjoyment, hey...by all means, do your "thing".
But, whatever money you spend to 'convert' your late-vintage C3 into a faux-early C3 will be totally wasted if/when you try to sell the car. With that "conversion", a "stock" car wouldn't be worth what it would have been without the additional hardware. As with other modded cars, ONLY YOU see the benefits of those kind of changes.
But, whatever money you spend to 'convert' your late-vintage C3 into a faux-early C3 will be totally wasted if/when you try to sell the car. With that "conversion", a "stock" car wouldn't be worth what it would have been without the additional hardware. As with other modded cars, ONLY YOU see the benefits of those kind of changes.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
first, you can somewhat 'mod' a late C3 and not take a big selling price hit.
but,
second, aren't they bypassing the rubber bumper 5 MPH crash standard? I would bet that in most states these are not even legal. if insurance companies find out you disabled the 5 MPH bumper, you might be denied a claim...
don't give THE MAN a reason....
but,
second, aren't they bypassing the rubber bumper 5 MPH crash standard? I would bet that in most states these are not even legal. if insurance companies find out you disabled the 5 MPH bumper, you might be denied a claim...
don't give THE MAN a reason....
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,059
Likes: 9,394
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I'm trying to figure out why it looks a little funny. I don't think the later years "pinch" into the rear end the way the early years did.
The tail of my car is quite narrow.
This conversion is trying to make the wider butt of the later cars appear to 'fit' the chrome bumper cars.
I actually think it is good that there is so much 'rake' to the rear...it makes it different and a bit sportier than the original 'kamm-tail' rear end. Not a complete knock-off...more of an 'homage'.
You know, after all the funny things I've seen done to Corvettes, this isn't all that bad...
The tail of my car is quite narrow.
This conversion is trying to make the wider butt of the later cars appear to 'fit' the chrome bumper cars.
I actually think it is good that there is so much 'rake' to the rear...it makes it different and a bit sportier than the original 'kamm-tail' rear end. Not a complete knock-off...more of an 'homage'.
You know, after all the funny things I've seen done to Corvettes, this isn't all that bad...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Oh, I have absolutely no doubt it looks good! Not a doubt in the world!!!
I was trying to figure out what looked DIFFERENT than an early C3. In some ways, I'll bet it looks BETTER than an early C3.
There's a lot more profile to the tail, more of a wing, a little less tall, and a little wider. None of that is bad! Sorry for giving you that impression in my comment...really, I was just walking the dog and staring at my car and figured out why they are dissimilar.
Carry on, gentlemen. I'd be happy to have door gaps that were the same...
I was trying to figure out what looked DIFFERENT than an early C3. In some ways, I'll bet it looks BETTER than an early C3.
There's a lot more profile to the tail, more of a wing, a little less tall, and a little wider. None of that is bad! Sorry for giving you that impression in my comment...really, I was just walking the dog and staring at my car and figured out why they are dissimilar.
Carry on, gentlemen. I'd be happy to have door gaps that were the same...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 366
Likes: 7
From: Mobile Al