734fifty4

My 73 needs a new front bumper cover. I'm would like to go with the oem urethane cover to avoid having to address paint on the rest of the car. I'm concerned about the manufacture date of these replacement covers and aging issues associated with perhaps an old oem replacement part. Any recent feedback with these covers on the 73 would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, 734fifty4.

CA-Legal-Vette

I'm not sure that you'll be able to find any oem covers anymore. if you do, you need to make sure that hey aren't waves and deteriorated like the one on there now likely is.

More importantly, the covers, both oem and aftermarket, need to painted after they're installed.

mikecamp

I went with the fiber glass and had the seem fiber glassed in then painted and it looks great.

Willytrash

I went with a flexfit for the front on my 74, same cover, and it worked out great. Little bit of flex, no waves like urethane. And way cheaper if you can even find a urethane.

stevelischynsky

There might be the odd new(not NOS) GM replacement still available, but they are selling for $800 plus. Keep an eye on the parts forum.

Ratfinkharley

I went with the polyurethane OEM version on my 73. There were two other options: flex glass and fiberglass.

The polyurethane costs a bit more than the other options. Poly is around $900 whereas fiberglass is $330. But the fiberglass options require more fitting. Since I'm paying someone to do the job and a bit of a purist, I choose the polyurethane.

Ecklers has all three available.

Lupigiato

I went poly on my 73 a couple years ago. More expensive, but since everything else is stock, I went OEM.

734fifty4

I was trying not to molest any of the original paint behind the front cover. I heard using the fiberglass required some fill and wanted to stay away from this. Wasn't sure if Ecklers polyurethane was old oem originals or not. Thank you all, Don.

FRSTR90

Don,

They have both. They have originals from GM for about $900 and the have reproduction of the originals for $450.

For looks, I think that the fiberglass is best. Once fitted and all the body work is complete, it will look perfect for many years. Now that Ecklers offers a reproduction of the original urethane, I may go that route to give it more of an OEM look and feel when I repaint my car.

Also, to address your concern about the manufacture date. The bumpers from GM can't be too old. If they are, I would imagine they would be very brittle and would disintegrate when installing it to the body

FatCat

I posted a thread in the parts for sale forum, I since then have bought a fiberglass front for my 73. I can however get a GM front bumper for I think it was $700 from a local dealer. It is a discontinued item but if you have a dealer who will look GM does still have some available.

Mike Ward

There's a third alternative which is the tru-flex bumpers.

http://www.toledopro.com/truflex.html

redwingvette

I went with the flexfit from Toledopro. I got mine from Willox. Not too much to fit on my car.
Install page

734fifty4

My local dealer was not familiar with any recent sale of the polyurethane option however thought it should be of some quality if offered. Ecklers is back ordered until December. I want to maintain the original look and will hold out for the oem selection. Thanks again everyone, I appreciate and enjoy the input, Don.

Paul Borowski

I was in the exact same boat as you are 8yrs ago with my NCRS Bowtie/Bloomington Gold Survivor '74 coupe. Tried the Toledo Pro TrueFlex front(wasn't even close to fitting, sold to a fellow forum member). Ended up with the Eckler's GM Restoration '73/'74 front urethane cover which was about $485 back then. I used Toledo TrueFlex on my '75 coupe 10yrs ago and they came out very good, not perfect, but it was a driver car anyways. The Urethane replacement bumper installed PERFECTLY!!! But then I expected it to because urethane is pliable, moldable and bendable where as TrueFlex or rigid fiberglass is not.

734fifty4

FYI, I just placed an order through GMpartsnow.com this afternoon for a oem polyurethane. I was able to get it for $700 plus tax. They are a division of Berger Chevrolet, Grand Rapids. Enjoyed a good conversation with one of the guys on the phone today.

Lupigiato

Great price!