Has anyone transfered the chrome bumper rear to a 76 or other year with the soft bumper. I have a friend who is contemplating that move. Other than the frame extention, are the bodies the same to a particular point?
Seems I've heard it mentioned in the past but didn't find it under search.

 

The rear surround panels are different.

This type of swap is going to be more involved and more expensive than your buddy might think.

 

Besides that, the value of the car will drop like a rock.

 

Thanks, I'll pass it on to him.

 

He is going to have to change a lot more than he thinks....if he wants to do something different like this...why not just get the Chrome Bumper Cover that custom image sells...it's bolt on

 

there is a company one of the forum member here that builds front and rear chrome bumber kits for all the late model c3s. allot of people have different feeling on this some people love the look (i used to but then came to my senses). they are pretty pricey but to each his own. the problem with it is that for the real enthusiast it is like puting a chevy aveo front clip on a 69 vert. anyone who knows anyhting about c3s will know that a 76 is not supposed to have chrome bumbpers. it gives you the look of a bubba no matter how cool you think it is. i can't talk much i am gonna be putting an ls1 and a 6 speed in a purple and black 79. just trying to give you the heads up that the in my expierence the majority of the c3 comunity doesn't like the idea.

if you still want it go for it here is where you need to they have the entire kit kind of a semi bolt up to any year http://www.customimagecorvettes.com/...-finally-here/

 

jesse, he may like that. It looks a little wierd to me, but he may like that method. It's easier to see the different body lines between the body styles.

Thanks

 

 

The problem is at the end of the day it's a non-sensical move. When you add up the cost of parts and labor, you are literally paying a large amount of money to make your '76 both worthless and not particularly attractive as well as pretty unpopular.

Its just too simple to sell the '76 and buy a '73, which will give your friend the look he wants without the obvious clumsy result, as well as have a car that has value and will continue to climb in value. Plus, they are a great buy right now as compared to the full chrome bumper cars. The difference he might have to pay between the '76 sale and a '73 purchase should be negligible compared to the completely wasted money in forcing a chrome bumper tail on a '76. It's a no-brainer.

 

I don't know if that is 100% true. They have a Bolt on option, and it is just like changing any other bumper. All it is, is a replacement bumper cover...just like a truflex or any other kind.

Then they have another option that is not bolt on that you have to do all sorts of stuff to.

But in actuality he could buy the bumper cover...put it on, paint it...and if he wanted to sell the car, take it off and put the old one back on.

I researched it before I bought my 73....but just like everyone else is saying...Why would I put a chrome bumper on a non chrome bumper car...when I could just buy a chrome bumper car......I bought a chrome bumper car...

But if I already had the car like this guy...I would consider it. To me it's no different than putting on a Custom hood, or putting on ground effects kit etc... Just another mod...and it doesn't really look like a true chrome bumper bumper...so it wouldn't be fooling anyone that its a 73...just a modded rubber bumper c3

 

I agree with you, but I didn't really address the "bolt-on" option.

My comment was regarding grafting an early tail into the lines of a 76 to try to make the bumpers line up the same, and keep the proportions and have the back end actually look like a '73. Thats the case where the cost makes it a no brainer as compared to buying a real car.

But you are right, cost doesnt really come into play on that bolt on option and you can take it off like any other mod. But also like you said, it doesnt look anything like an actual chrome bumper rear- my assumption was that the OP was talking about having it look more like GM did it.

 

all i'm saying is it is just like anything else you do as a hobbie. if your are only in it for yourself satisfaction than by all means do what ever you want. that is the point for allot of people and i support that enjoy your car an make it your own. on the other hand if you want to go to c3 shows and hang out with other c3 owners and be apart of the c3 groups with out people thinking you car looks retarded. than you wont try to make your car into an earlier version of your current c3. tell your friend that the kit exist but he will be the out cast in a group of c3s if he installs it. it is the same as the other thread we have right now about putting a 63 style split window in a 77-82 vette. dont bastardize your car if you want it to be fun and more like the powerful early c3s. update your engine suspension trans and overal functionality of the car to make it more reliable more fun more useable.

 

I did not see the chrome bumper conversion until this thread. It looks like a simpler conversion for someone that wants to do this. Instead of going the full modification route of cutting the body, grafting on a 73 rear end, changing the metal supports and adding the chrome bumpers.

If this is the look that the owner wants, its a cheaper option. From reading on this type of question previously, I think the consensus is not to do it.

kdf

 

Here's a guy that did the conversion with an 82. If it weren't for the fender flares I'd say this is the best looking Corvette in existence.


http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=114209

 

I keep going back and forth on this for my car. I love the sharp lines of the early tail, but I know that it will irk off anyone that paid for the prestige of a chrome bumper.

I'm thinking of just using the fiberglass cover from the Custom Image conversion, and not even bothering with the chrome bumperettes.

Like this....

Would that still make me an "outcast"?

 

To hell with what anyone else thinks, its what you want that matters. Your car, your time and money, do what you want.

 

Oh yeah...well then....Ya better off buying a 73

 

I like it.

 

I like the custom image stuff.

 

I think everyone's situation is different. It depends on your budget, your priorities, and your taste.
In my case I was looking for a '69 or an 80-82. But I always had a soft spot for the '73. I fell into an amazing deal on a 76 with a new LS1 and a 4l60E that had been installed but never started or driven. The car was a project and I got a stack of "VETTE" magazines showing the build. A few are on line. It had a rear bumper that was like a C4 and a front bumper that was more like an 80's. It turned out to be the perfect place to start to build exactly what I wanted. The frame and birdcage are amazing so what do you do?
I replaced the auto with a Richmond 6 and am going to do whatever I feel like on the bumpers. It will have chrome in the back because I have to replace it anyway, it's what I want, being correct is not an issue. It is also getting flared. Some may not like that, and that's cool but this is for me and my wife.
If I had a correct 69 it would probably be a different story.
I also don't have to worry about it as an investment. I am only investing in fun. If I golfed and bought new clubs I would not worry about the resale on them. Just that they are what I want and I will enjoy using them while I have them. This is just a hobby for me and hobbies cost money.
So to each his own. That is what I like about this whole deal. You build what YOU want. If you want a numbers matching car then more power to you and I am glad that you got a car that makes you happy. If you want to make it unique then go for it if that makes you smile.
I am hoping to start on the body work on mine this fall...