Replacement bumpers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Replacement bumpers
A few years ago, I bought a new Paragon front bumper (which I will, God willing, finally install this year) for my '69 but I still would like to get new replacement rears. Forgetting the argument of getting my originals rechromed, are the foreign so crappy or are the GMrepro Made in America so much better to justify the price difference? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
A few years ago, I bought a new Paragon front bumper (which I will, God willing, finally install this year) for my '69 but I still would like to get new replacement rears. Forgetting the argument of getting my originals rechromed, are the foreign so crappy or are the GMrepro Made in America so much better to justify the price difference? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,302
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi TW,
With bumpers I think you get what you pay for….. so I'd go with the Paragon reproductions.
The rears do not cause as much of a 'fit' headache as the front sometimes does.
I think a really nice pair of bumpers really sets off the rear of the car.
The reflection of the taillights in the bumper is a pretty terrific look!
Regards,
Alan
With bumpers I think you get what you pay for….. so I'd go with the Paragon reproductions.
The rears do not cause as much of a 'fit' headache as the front sometimes does.
I think a really nice pair of bumpers really sets off the rear of the car.
The reflection of the taillights in the bumper is a pretty terrific look!
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
My first question would be is your car painted already? If it is, then you're much better off replating your originals.
As far as repros, there have been at least 4 different companies, making then at some point over the years. By far, the best are Paragon's US made ones, that are made using GM's old tooling. Some people have had issues with them though, mainly because of the age of the tooling. After stamping bumpers for 50 years, the tooling is getting worn, and the tolerances aren't what they once were.
The next best bumper was being made by the old mag wheel company, Keystone. Two Corvette vendors had the exclusive rights to distribute the Keystone bumpers. These were pretty decent bumpers. The fit was acceptable, and the chrome was decent. These may be the ones that are still sold by some vendor as "driver quality", for around $300-$325 each.
There was a company from the west coast called Fargo, that was supposed to be making bumpers. Fargo was strictly a wholesale company, selling only to retailers. I never saw their 68-73 bumpers, but their mid-year bumpers looked pretty good.
Finally, there had been some bumpers on the market, that were coming from overseas, and being distributed by a company from Alabama. Their initial run of bumpers about 14-15 years ago, weren't to bad, but the quality went down hill pretty quickly. These use to show up on ebay for around $300-$400 a pair. The chrome on them was okay, but the bumpers themselves, were usually pretty wavy and often full of grinding marks.
As far as repros, there have been at least 4 different companies, making then at some point over the years. By far, the best are Paragon's US made ones, that are made using GM's old tooling. Some people have had issues with them though, mainly because of the age of the tooling. After stamping bumpers for 50 years, the tooling is getting worn, and the tolerances aren't what they once were.
The next best bumper was being made by the old mag wheel company, Keystone. Two Corvette vendors had the exclusive rights to distribute the Keystone bumpers. These were pretty decent bumpers. The fit was acceptable, and the chrome was decent. These may be the ones that are still sold by some vendor as "driver quality", for around $300-$325 each.
There was a company from the west coast called Fargo, that was supposed to be making bumpers. Fargo was strictly a wholesale company, selling only to retailers. I never saw their 68-73 bumpers, but their mid-year bumpers looked pretty good.
Finally, there had been some bumpers on the market, that were coming from overseas, and being distributed by a company from Alabama. Their initial run of bumpers about 14-15 years ago, weren't to bad, but the quality went down hill pretty quickly. These use to show up on ebay for around $300-$400 a pair. The chrome on them was okay, but the bumpers themselves, were usually pretty wavy and often full of grinding marks.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
My first question would be is your car painted already? If it is, then you're much better off replating your originals.
As far as repros, there have been at least 4 different companies, making then at some point over the years. By far, the best are Paragon's US made ones, that are made using GM's old tooling. Some people have had issues with them though, mainly because of the age of the tooling. After stamping bumpers for 50 years, the tooling is getting worn, and the tolerances aren't what they once were.
The next best bumper was being made by the old mag wheel company, Keystone. Two Corvette vendors had the exclusive rights to distribute the Keystone bumpers. These were pretty decent bumpers. The fit was acceptable, and the chrome was decent. These may be the ones that are still sold by some vendor as "driver quality", for around $300-$325 each.
There was a company from the west coast called Fargo, that was supposed to be making bumpers. Fargo was strictly a wholesale company, selling only to retailers. I never saw their 68-73 bumpers, but their mid-year bumpers looked pretty good.
Finally, there had been some bumpers on the market, that were coming from overseas, and being distributed by a company from Alabama. Their initial run of bumpers about 14-15 years ago, weren't to bad, but the quality went down hill pretty quickly. These use to show up on ebay for around $300-$400 a pair. The chrome on them was okay, but the bumpers themselves, were usually pretty wavy and often full of grinding marks.
As far as repros, there have been at least 4 different companies, making then at some point over the years. By far, the best are Paragon's US made ones, that are made using GM's old tooling. Some people have had issues with them though, mainly because of the age of the tooling. After stamping bumpers for 50 years, the tooling is getting worn, and the tolerances aren't what they once were.
The next best bumper was being made by the old mag wheel company, Keystone. Two Corvette vendors had the exclusive rights to distribute the Keystone bumpers. These were pretty decent bumpers. The fit was acceptable, and the chrome was decent. These may be the ones that are still sold by some vendor as "driver quality", for around $300-$325 each.
There was a company from the west coast called Fargo, that was supposed to be making bumpers. Fargo was strictly a wholesale company, selling only to retailers. I never saw their 68-73 bumpers, but their mid-year bumpers looked pretty good.
Finally, there had been some bumpers on the market, that were coming from overseas, and being distributed by a company from Alabama. Their initial run of bumpers about 14-15 years ago, weren't to bad, but the quality went down hill pretty quickly. These use to show up on ebay for around $300-$400 a pair. The chrome on them was okay, but the bumpers themselves, were usually pretty wavy and often full of grinding marks.
. I have that area "neatly disguised" with a sticker. I'll have to mull all this over. Thanks again.
Last edited by TWINRAY; Mar 4, 2017 at 09:54 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 16
The best and only right thing to do is to fit whatever bumpers you are using before the car is painted. Even some of the best cars have had their corners tapped on something and the fiberglass structure was not repaired correctly or a damaged bumper was made to fit. Probably both. At least that's been my experience. Gotta fit everything at least a few times before painting.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
consider the cost of the rechrome job.. especially the one with the hole in it, vs purchasing aftermarket ones.
Consider your down time as you ship the old ones out both ways and how long the rechromer will have them.
And finally consider that if you buy aftermarket ones, then you can sell your old ones to make up for the cost to a great degree.
do you want quality far and above what the factory delivered? Then you have to pay for it. The rechromers will take as much money as you want to give them.
Consider your down time as you ship the old ones out both ways and how long the rechromer will have them.
And finally consider that if you buy aftermarket ones, then you can sell your old ones to make up for the cost to a great degree.
do you want quality far and above what the factory delivered? Then you have to pay for it. The rechromers will take as much money as you want to give them.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 16
consider the cost of the rechrome job.. especially the one with the hole in it, vs purchasing aftermarket ones.
Consider your down time as you ship the old ones out both ways and how long the rechromer will have them.
And finally consider that if you buy aftermarket ones, then you can sell your old ones to make up for the cost to a great degree.
do you want quality far and above what the factory delivered? Then you have to pay for it. The rechromers will take as much money as you want to give them.
Consider your down time as you ship the old ones out both ways and how long the rechromer will have them.
And finally consider that if you buy aftermarket ones, then you can sell your old ones to make up for the cost to a great degree.
do you want quality far and above what the factory delivered? Then you have to pay for it. The rechromers will take as much money as you want to give them.
Last edited by momo608; Mar 4, 2017 at 10:08 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,302
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi TW,
I generally suggest having original bumpers re-plated.
BUT, the location of the holes and the size of the large hole would give me reason to pause.
It's located in a 'flatish' surface that really catches the light when the bumper is installed. So the repair, and then the preparation for the plating, and the polishing between the copper and nickel and nickel and chrome, will have to be meticulous to insure the repair isn't noticeable when the bumper is installed.
????
Regards,
Alan
I generally suggest having original bumpers re-plated.
BUT, the location of the holes and the size of the large hole would give me reason to pause.
It's located in a 'flatish' surface that really catches the light when the bumper is installed. So the repair, and then the preparation for the plating, and the polishing between the copper and nickel and nickel and chrome, will have to be meticulous to insure the repair isn't noticeable when the bumper is installed.
????
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Hi TW,
I generally suggest having original bumpers re-plated.
BUT, the location of the holes and the size of the large hole would give me reason to pause.
It's located in a 'flatish' surface that really catches the light when the bumper is installed. So the repair, and then the preparation for the plating, and the polishing between the copper and nickel and nickel and chrome, will have to be meticulous to insure the repair isn't noticeable when the bumper is installed.
????
Regards,
Alan
I generally suggest having original bumpers re-plated.
BUT, the location of the holes and the size of the large hole would give me reason to pause.
It's located in a 'flatish' surface that really catches the light when the bumper is installed. So the repair, and then the preparation for the plating, and the polishing between the copper and nickel and nickel and chrome, will have to be meticulous to insure the repair isn't noticeable when the bumper is installed.
????
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by TWINRAY; Mar 4, 2017 at 11:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
First, thanks all for your replies. For the time being anyway, I polished them up and will install them. I still have to put together some "minor" bits and pieces to get my '67 and '69 together. I finished painting the '69 last year and the '67 the year before, so I don't want to make the projects I have bigger. The bumpers don't look "that bad😉" plus now that I got Alan's approval on the sticker, I'll see how much and if the appearance of the bumpers bother me. If the do and after I get everything else done, I'll buy Paragon bumpers and cross my fingers on fitment. Safe drivin'
Last edited by TWINRAY; Mar 5, 2017 at 02:12 PM.