Another chrome bumper conversion...update with paint
#22
Le Mans Master
Member Since: May 2008
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Bats....I do dig it. As I have said before, I don't like losing that solid rear bumper structure, but I might do it anyway. As everyone know, the chrome bumper cars don't have any real rear bumper.
I can live with the bumpers not being chrome, and not really in the right position. But as I noted, that peak line to nothing would have to be blended out, which would be easy.
That being said, I like the rear bumper covers on rubber bumper cars. I know some people think its ugly, I don't. The way that the tail lights are recessed being the same styling as the speedo / tach recesses is a very cool styling connection that many don't recognize.
I will be interested in see the OP car once he gets it painted. I think most people won't actually see the minor differences and he will fool everyone who thinks its a early C3.
I can live with the bumpers not being chrome, and not really in the right position. But as I noted, that peak line to nothing would have to be blended out, which would be easy.
That being said, I like the rear bumper covers on rubber bumper cars. I know some people think its ugly, I don't. The way that the tail lights are recessed being the same styling as the speedo / tach recesses is a very cool styling connection that many don't recognize.
I will be interested in see the OP car once he gets it painted. I think most people won't actually see the minor differences and he will fool everyone who thinks its a early C3.
#23
Le Mans Master
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This is not meant to hijack the thread, so if it is, just let me know and I will shut up.
What I have been thinking of is a fiberglass rear spoiler, like the 78 pace car spoiler, but way smaller and subdued, just sitting on top of the rubber bumper rear end, not overhanging the sides like the pace car spoiler, and with much less height. Sorta picking up on chrome bumper rear flare up, sitting on top of the rubber bumper style, just above the tail lights. If it was blended in right, I think it would be the best of both worlds.
I have talked to some fiberglass companies about the idea.
What I have been thinking of is a fiberglass rear spoiler, like the 78 pace car spoiler, but way smaller and subdued, just sitting on top of the rubber bumper rear end, not overhanging the sides like the pace car spoiler, and with much less height. Sorta picking up on chrome bumper rear flare up, sitting on top of the rubber bumper style, just above the tail lights. If it was blended in right, I think it would be the best of both worlds.
I have talked to some fiberglass companies about the idea.
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The Punisher (05-28-2017)
#24
Race Director
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Iwas,
Its not that i "hate" the 74 to 79 rear,
hate is a term i try to avoid,
I have never really liked that 74 to 79 style rear on any car, but i understand gm was going for a refinment to go along with lower hp and a changing market,
I believe even gm saw it wasnt as popular as 68 to 73 when they did the duck tail on the 80 style which sounds in vein with the spoiler idea you have,
You might look at early camaros that had a one, not three piece rear spoiler for ideas,
i do have a 69 but i am not all elitist thinking like some that the chrome bumper cars are better than other c3s they are not to me,
i just happen to like a heck of a lot of things about them later years lack,
But remember chevy didnt build a perfect to me vette so i am.
I just pick up a spidy sense type thing you really would like this conversion and try to talk yoyrself out of it,
Compared to the rest of your build this isnt a big deal to make happen,
You would be one of the cats to take dons part and make it yours with your personal touches, one of a kind, that shi...stuff is priceless.
Its not that i "hate" the 74 to 79 rear,
hate is a term i try to avoid,
I have never really liked that 74 to 79 style rear on any car, but i understand gm was going for a refinment to go along with lower hp and a changing market,
I believe even gm saw it wasnt as popular as 68 to 73 when they did the duck tail on the 80 style which sounds in vein with the spoiler idea you have,
You might look at early camaros that had a one, not three piece rear spoiler for ideas,
i do have a 69 but i am not all elitist thinking like some that the chrome bumper cars are better than other c3s they are not to me,
i just happen to like a heck of a lot of things about them later years lack,
But remember chevy didnt build a perfect to me vette so i am.
I just pick up a spidy sense type thing you really would like this conversion and try to talk yoyrself out of it,
Compared to the rest of your build this isnt a big deal to make happen,
You would be one of the cats to take dons part and make it yours with your personal touches, one of a kind, that shi...stuff is priceless.
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Torqued Off (05-28-2017)
#25
Instructor
Thread Starter
This is not meant to hijack the thread, so if it is, just let me know and I will shut up.
What I have been thinking of is a fiberglass rear spoiler, like the 78 pace car spoiler, but way smaller and subdued, just sitting on top of the rubber bumper rear end, not overhanging the sides like the pace car spoiler, and with much less height. Sorta picking up on chrome bumper rear flare up, sitting on top of the rubber bumper style, just above the tail lights. If it was blended in right, I think it would be the best of both worlds.
I have talked to some fiberglass companies about the idea.
What I have been thinking of is a fiberglass rear spoiler, like the 78 pace car spoiler, but way smaller and subdued, just sitting on top of the rubber bumper rear end, not overhanging the sides like the pace car spoiler, and with much less height. Sorta picking up on chrome bumper rear flare up, sitting on top of the rubber bumper style, just above the tail lights. If it was blended in right, I think it would be the best of both worlds.
I have talked to some fiberglass companies about the idea.
The following users liked this post:
Torqued Off (05-28-2017)
#26
Instructor
Thread Starter
Iwas,
Its not that i "hate" the 74 to 79 rear,
hate is a term i try to avoid,
I have never really liked that 74 to 79 style rear on any car, but i understand gm was going for a refinment to go along with lower hp and a changing market,
I believe even gm saw it wasnt as popular as 68 to 73 when they did the duck tail on the 80 style which sounds in vein with the spoiler idea you have,
You might look at early camaros that had a one, not three piece rear spoiler for ideas,
i do have a 69 but i am not all elitist thinking like some that the chrome bumper cars are better than other c3s they are not to me,
i just happen to like a heck of a lot of things about them later years lack,
But remember chevy didnt build a perfect to me vette so i am.
I just pick up a spidy sense type thing you really would like this conversion and try to talk yoyrself out of it,
Compared to the rest of your build this isnt a big deal to make happen,
You would be one of the cats to take dons part and make it yours with your personal touches, one of a kind, that shi...stuff is priceless.
Its not that i "hate" the 74 to 79 rear,
hate is a term i try to avoid,
I have never really liked that 74 to 79 style rear on any car, but i understand gm was going for a refinment to go along with lower hp and a changing market,
I believe even gm saw it wasnt as popular as 68 to 73 when they did the duck tail on the 80 style which sounds in vein with the spoiler idea you have,
You might look at early camaros that had a one, not three piece rear spoiler for ideas,
i do have a 69 but i am not all elitist thinking like some that the chrome bumper cars are better than other c3s they are not to me,
i just happen to like a heck of a lot of things about them later years lack,
But remember chevy didnt build a perfect to me vette so i am.
I just pick up a spidy sense type thing you really would like this conversion and try to talk yoyrself out of it,
Compared to the rest of your build this isnt a big deal to make happen,
You would be one of the cats to take dons part and make it yours with your personal touches, one of a kind, that shi...stuff is priceless.
#27
Looks fantastic....
Good job. Does this mean that you are trying to keep the protection behind the bumper when you do the front conversion?
#28
Instructor
Thread Starter
I know that in a major impact the front bar will afford no substantial protection for the occupants, but hopefully, it can save the bodywork aft of the bumper in the event of some minor bumps.
#29
Great Job!
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ddawson (05-28-2017)
#31
Race Director
I can't wait to see it after you do the front bumper. I really admire the way you blended the new paint into the existing paint. I think the look of patina paint is widely accepted now and has become "cool". Since you did such a great job with the rear after you do the front you may just want to enjoy driving that way for awhile. With the way you filled the wheel wells with the wheels and tires and the stance it will draw plenty of attention. Car people who know what they are looking at will get. Great job!
#33
Intermediate
Hi guys. For anybody that wanted to see the bumper conversion with some paint, here you go. I still have some more blending and some creative scuffing to take the sheen off the new parts and match the texture of the existing weathered paint. The front conversion will follow when it goes back into the garage for the winter.
I want to match the patina of the rest of the car as closely as possible until I am ready for the whole paint process, but cosmetically, for now, I am happy with the progress from its very humble beginnings last November.
I want to match the patina of the rest of the car as closely as possible until I am ready for the whole paint process, but cosmetically, for now, I am happy with the progress from its very humble beginnings last November.
#34
Race Director
Impact bar and air tank I think will fit. The plastic egg crate will have to go. But the egg crate is an attempt at no-damage 5 mph protection with urethane cover. Not actual collision protection.
#35
I’d also be interested to know the source for this rear bumper for my 75 coupe. Apparently someone named “Don” is the supplier/builder. How do we contact him?
Can anyone speculate what it would look like if a person were to leave the actual chrome parts off?
Can anyone speculate what it would look like if a person were to leave the actual chrome parts off?
#36
Administrator
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: About 1100 miles from where I call home. Blue lives matter.
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Guys, the Fiberglass part makers name has been dropped several times in this thread and now a contact has been provided. Further postings about this vendor will be considered promotion of a Non Supporting Vendor and the thread will wind up being closed, and posts could be sanctioned.
Let’s stay on course on the topic, please.
Note: Upon further review, this Non Supporting Vendor has been repeatedly promoted on the forum in other threads, so the contact post has been removed.
Let’s stay on course on the topic, please.
Note: Upon further review, this Non Supporting Vendor has been repeatedly promoted on the forum in other threads, so the contact post has been removed.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; 06-15-2018 at 12:47 PM.
#37
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: Opelousas, Lousiana
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CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Cool looking car, but I just don't understand the economics of it. I am not trying to be critical, but it would seem to me that these days (with the depressed C3 market) it would be cheaper to just start with a chrome bumper car then build it up. Is there something about this year model that makes it a more desirable model to build?
Maybe I am missing something.
Maybe I am missing something.
#39
Nam Labrat
Member Since: Sep 2013
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Cool looking car, but I just don't understand the economics of it. I am not trying to be critical, but it would seem to me that these days (with the depressed C3 market) it would be cheaper to just start with a chrome bumper car then build it up. Is there something about this year model that makes it a more desirable model to build?
Maybe I am missing something.
Maybe I am missing something.
2. He likes to do his own mods.
3. The market doesn't determine what he decides is best for him.
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crawfish333 (06-14-2018)
#40
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2016
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Cool looking car, but I just don't understand the economics of it. I am not trying to be critical, but it would seem to me that these days (with the depressed C3 market) it would be cheaper to just start with a chrome bumper car then build it up. Is there something about this year model that makes it a more desirable model to build?
Maybe I am missing something.
Maybe I am missing something.
The following users liked this post:
crawfish333 (06-14-2018)