69 front bumper dimensions
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: La Mesa CA
69 front bumper dimensions
I am trial fitting a used bumper on my 69 and it seems too wide. By that
I mean the distance from far left to far right. It seems like it sticks out too far from the body at the ends. I can't tell if it has been tweaked or not. Are there any differences between 69 and other years?
If someone has a unmounted bumper out there, could you measure the distance end tip to end tip?
Also, are there spacers between the body and the body anywhere?
Thanks so much
Glenn in San Diego
I mean the distance from far left to far right. It seems like it sticks out too far from the body at the ends. I can't tell if it has been tweaked or not. Are there any differences between 69 and other years?
If someone has a unmounted bumper out there, could you measure the distance end tip to end tip?
Also, are there spacers between the body and the body anywhere?
Thanks so much
Glenn in San Diego
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Glenn,
The AIM "Front-Body Checking" Sheet indicates that originally the space between the ends of the bumper and the surface of the fender was intended to be between .48" and .52". So right around 1/2".
The bumper dimension itself doesn't tell the whole tale… it's the way it fits on a particular car that matters.
Often if the gap is too large or the 'tips' seem to angle 'out' a little, it's because the bumper is 'sprung' a bit.
Regards,
Alan
This is a 71…. it's the original bumper on a body that hasn't had any body work done to it on either side.
The AIM "Front-Body Checking" Sheet indicates that originally the space between the ends of the bumper and the surface of the fender was intended to be between .48" and .52". So right around 1/2".
The bumper dimension itself doesn't tell the whole tale… it's the way it fits on a particular car that matters.
Often if the gap is too large or the 'tips' seem to angle 'out' a little, it's because the bumper is 'sprung' a bit.
Regards,
Alan
This is a 71…. it's the original bumper on a body that hasn't had any body work done to it on either side.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 19, 2017 at 07:05 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
to further exacerbate this situation I have seen bumpers that were twisted ever so little, and bumpers that were sprung as Alan has described. I have seen "new" aftermarket bumpers that leave gaps at the ends and that pinch at the ends. If your current bumper fits well and can be re-chromed I would take that route over buying a replacement, you know it fits.
Just my thoughts, good luck with your solution and best regards,
David Howard
Just my thoughts, good luck with your solution and best regards,
David Howard
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
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From: Lafayette Louisiana
Fwiw,....
FWIW,
I had a used bumper driver+ condition that was in pretty good shape that came with my 68 that I wanted to reuse, but did not fit quite right. I said what the heck, and carefully bent it in a little to fit better on the sides and bent out a little twist and got it flat/level again. In my case, I was afraid bending might peel the chrome, but it did not. Of course, I did not bend it a whole lot either. So, just one data point for your consideration. Hope this might help.
(BTW, I did read from Richard Prince (I think), that the pros fit the new bumper first and then do the all of the body work to fit the bumper which I thought was funny. I suspect St Louis likely did not do this, LOL's! So, brand new out of the box, as I understand it, there was lots of factory variations in bumper fit.)
I had a used bumper driver+ condition that was in pretty good shape that came with my 68 that I wanted to reuse, but did not fit quite right. I said what the heck, and carefully bent it in a little to fit better on the sides and bent out a little twist and got it flat/level again. In my case, I was afraid bending might peel the chrome, but it did not. Of course, I did not bend it a whole lot either. So, just one data point for your consideration. Hope this might help.
(BTW, I did read from Richard Prince (I think), that the pros fit the new bumper first and then do the all of the body work to fit the bumper which I thought was funny. I suspect St Louis likely did not do this, LOL's! So, brand new out of the box, as I understand it, there was lots of factory variations in bumper fit.)
Last edited by 20mercury; Jul 19, 2017 at 10:57 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
mock up before final paint.
I currently am fighting getting my front bumperetes to line properly.
you have to tweak all these bumpers to get lined up it seems like.
I currently am fighting getting my front bumperetes to line properly.
you have to tweak all these bumpers to get lined up it seems like.
