Front bumper
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Front bumper
Hey guys,
Quick question about the front bumper. I am having some work done on the car to repair a sideswipe. The front bumper needs to be repainted.
The question is, should I buy an aftermarket bumper and get rid of the urethane one? I plan to keep the car for a long time so if I go to sell it in 20 years would the original bumper make a difference?
The bumper is not covered in the repair cost as it was damaged when I bought it. So it would be cheaper to buy a fiberglass bumper and just have it painted than to have to strip the old one, reprime and paint again.
I know fiberglass ones look better because there is not really any give to cause waving. But if the majority thinks the value would be affected then I may keep it?
I have to replace some body panels so the entire car will not have original body panels anyway.
Thanks.
Quick question about the front bumper. I am having some work done on the car to repair a sideswipe. The front bumper needs to be repainted.
The question is, should I buy an aftermarket bumper and get rid of the urethane one? I plan to keep the car for a long time so if I go to sell it in 20 years would the original bumper make a difference?
The bumper is not covered in the repair cost as it was damaged when I bought it. So it would be cheaper to buy a fiberglass bumper and just have it painted than to have to strip the old one, reprime and paint again.
I know fiberglass ones look better because there is not really any give to cause waving. But if the majority thinks the value would be affected then I may keep it?
I have to replace some body panels so the entire car will not have original body panels anyway.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
I don't think it would have much impact on value. In fact, if you plan to keep the car for 20 years, you would probably be way ahead if you replaced it now. My '75 needed both bumpers replaced because they were so brittle they were falling apart.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield County CT
The fiberglass bumpers have fitment issues. The labor to fit the bumper to the car offsets some of the difference between fiberglass and polyurethane.
I'm a bit of a purist and would replace the old polyurethane with a new polyurethane bumper. It is probably at the end of its lifecycle and not worth stripping/repainting. All that would do is eventually fail with new paint on it.
Do what makes the current owner, you, happy and not the "new owner" 20 years from now. A lot can happen between now and then; hopefully many happy miles.
I'm a bit of a purist and would replace the old polyurethane with a new polyurethane bumper. It is probably at the end of its lifecycle and not worth stripping/repainting. All that would do is eventually fail with new paint on it.
Do what makes the current owner, you, happy and not the "new owner" 20 years from now. A lot can happen between now and then; hopefully many happy miles.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Yes, the original urethane bumper covers get brittle and fall apart. I had to replace mine 20 years ago. A suggestion is to get the new flexiglass versions. They are the best of both worlds. They are fiberglass but with a flexible resin compound.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I would go with the fiberglass one. If you plan on keeping your car 20 more years, then maybe the polyurethane one will need replacing again. Can you imagine how expensive that will be in 2033?
kdf
kdf
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Are the flexiglass ones special order or is that what all the after market venders sell?
Can you guys post links to the figerglass vs the flexiglass?
Are there any issues with flexiglass. I thought bending and flex was bad because then it will cause the paint to crack. Whats the advantage of flexiglass?
Can you guys post links to the figerglass vs the flexiglass?
Are there any issues with flexiglass. I thought bending and flex was bad because then it will cause the paint to crack. Whats the advantage of flexiglass?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
the '80 bumpers aren't known for falling apart. they fixed that issue somewhere around '76. the '80 bumpers do warp though, something to keep in mind. I would see if your stock bumper is repairable, that one will have the best fit
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I put a flex glass on my car (80) and it didn't fit. The d/s of the bumper stuck out about 1/2 inch. And the edge by the d/s front wheel well didn't line up. I was molding the bumper in so I cut what I needed and molded it in.I met someone who also used one on his 82 and it fir the same. If you do with the flex be prepared to get some work done on it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 239
Likes: 5
From: Rochester NY
I was going to replace my front bumper that is now cracking with an OEM reproduction Urethane bumper for my 76 vette, but it looks like it has been discontinued, I checked with Zip Products, Ecklers and Willcox Inc. so I'm out of luck.......
I didn't want a fiberglass bumper but that is my only choice now......
Two years ago I replaced my back bumper with an OEM reproduction Urethane bumper and it bolted on without any problems and no body work needed.....
Good luck...
Ulf
I didn't want a fiberglass bumper but that is my only choice now......
Two years ago I replaced my back bumper with an OEM reproduction Urethane bumper and it bolted on without any problems and no body work needed.....
Good luck...
Ulf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
I have heard that front bumpers can be a real pain to install using fiberglass . The old rubber style is way easier to install to match up. I found a nos GM front aBout 8 years ago and it's still looking good , but my car is garaged and out of sunlight.
I have a tru flex rear bumper. , its been there maybe 7 years I guess, it is holding up great.
The installer told me it was pretty nice fit , but it was rear of course.
I can see the diff in the tru flex and my old original GM rear bumper. The original shape was nicer I think.
I think I would go GM on the front ...if only to make it easy to install
I have a tru flex rear bumper. , its been there maybe 7 years I guess, it is holding up great.
The installer told me it was pretty nice fit , but it was rear of course.
I can see the diff in the tru flex and my old original GM rear bumper. The original shape was nicer I think.
I think I would go GM on the front ...if only to make it easy to install
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
I am somewhat resurrecting this thread.
I think I am going to go with the fiberglass bumper. Does anyone have venders to purchase from that they recommend or know of promo codes that can be used?
Is the flexiglass a lot cheaper than the regular fiberglass bumper?
I think I am going to go with the fiberglass bumper. Does anyone have venders to purchase from that they recommend or know of promo codes that can be used?
Is the flexiglass a lot cheaper than the regular fiberglass bumper?
