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Why do you want to change to steel? Cost? The look? Last summer, I replaced my original, cracked one with a fiberglass model. I removed the old one myself and had a local custom auto shop paint and install the new one (that I purchased from Willcox). Total project cost was $400.
Fran
New bumper:
I have a 1973 with plastic bumper that is cracked due to age. Is it possible to replace with a 1972 steel bumper.
Hi Roland,
You own a very unique " one of a kind " Corvette. It is a special car because of that front bumper and the chrome rear. It is your car to do as you wish, but it just seems foolish to spend all the time and $$$$ to make it something that it wasn't intended to be! JMO! Best of luck in what path you decide to take.
Hi Fran,
Your bumper replacement looks great The paint matches well according to the photo.
Have a great day!
Tooch
Roland, the 73 is a "one year model" the only C3 that fully realized the original design ideas in the Mako Shark show car. The front bumper can be fiberglass (like mine in the photo) and be painted to exactly match the body. It is beautiful car and in combination with the short upturned rear panel make a perfect package.
Larry Shinoda, the famous Corvette designer, once commented in an interview that the 1973 was his favorite of the post-1967 era. Here's the full quote, "The styling is obviously my favorite aspect. But mostly its the soft front and rear that we developed starting with the XP-819. My favorite of the cars is the 1973. I really like the soft nose. The soft rear on the 1974 doesn't thrill me as much as the earlier rear-end treatments. In fact it reminds me of the J-30 which in turn seems to have been styled after a steaming dog turd."
Roland,
please forgive me,
Its true about the 73, being a nice car stock and one year only, my 69 looked like a 73 when i got it, loved the look however, i went back to stock front on mine because i liked that a little better...
but you asked ,
"Is it possible" not "should you" add a metal bumper to your 73 nose, so i replied the truth..which is you can.
I am not arrogant enough to tell someone how they must build their car,
Its your car up to you, you will need a new bumper cap anyway, you have the option of stock or the conversion to metal/chrome bumper,
Here is a bumper cap conversion, bumpers painted in this example
If this isnt a persons cup o tea dont build it but if you like it do it....lifes too short to settle
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 9, 2017 at 01:02 PM.
The XP-819 was a rear engine design, I think he was referring to that? and comparing it to a contemporary Lexus J-30 (this interview was in the 90s). with the "bustle-back" look. Apparently Larry didn't like the look!
The XP-819 was a rear engine design, I think he was referring to that? and comparing it to a contemporary Lexus J-30 (this interview was in the 90s). with the "bustle-back" look. Apparently Larry didn't like the look!
I was all bassakwards askew mixing up people confused..thanks.
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 9, 2017 at 05:59 PM.
The paint matches well according to the photo. 
