C3 Bumper Replacement Recommendation
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
C3 Bumper Replacement Recommendation
Hi Guys,
I am looking to replace the front bumper on my 1974 Corvette. It has several cracks and is due to be replaced.
Would you recommend I go with the urethane, fiberglass or flex fit option?
Thank you.
Jeff
I am looking to replace the front bumper on my 1974 Corvette. It has several cracks and is due to be replaced.
Would you recommend I go with the urethane, fiberglass or flex fit option?
Thank you.
Jeff
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
The fiberglass replacements fit good and look cleaner/staighter than the urethane ever did. I have replaced several urethane bumpers and used fiberglass every time. And let's face it, if somebody backs into the nose, either one is going to be damaged and need repair anyway, so go for the better looking one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you want a bumper that is as free of "waves and flaws" as the rest of the Corvette body, I highly suggest you stay away from "flex" fiberglass. I would never do it again, as it IS an improvement over original style original, its still too flexible. I would purchase NON flex fiberglass bumpers, and add some additional layers of glass on the inside so it is as substantial and rigid as the rest of the car.
The original rubber bumpers were required as part of the 5 mph without damage standard GM was required to abide by. They sacrificed fit and finish for this government requirement. You don't have to do that. Why would we want our bumpers to be any less beautiful than the rest of the car.
Any accident is going to require repairs, including "chrome" bumper cars which bumpers are essentially an ornament when compared to the real crash protection rubber bumper cars have underneath. Don't crash, and all is good. If you do have a bumper crash....fix it. I don't think the beauty of the car should be sacrificed with wavy bumpers.
The original rubber bumpers were required as part of the 5 mph without damage standard GM was required to abide by. They sacrificed fit and finish for this government requirement. You don't have to do that. Why would we want our bumpers to be any less beautiful than the rest of the car.
Any accident is going to require repairs, including "chrome" bumper cars which bumpers are essentially an ornament when compared to the real crash protection rubber bumper cars have underneath. Don't crash, and all is good. If you do have a bumper crash....fix it. I don't think the beauty of the car should be sacrificed with wavy bumpers.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Dec 17, 2017 at 03:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Jeff,
I believe the purpose of the original urethane material in the bumper was to absorb and deflect some of the damage from a VERY MINOR impact without telegraphing the energy into the fiberglass panels of the front clip.
In any sort of encounter beyond a parking lot tap there will likely be damage, (even if only paint damage), to be repaired.
Regards,
Alan
I believe the purpose of the original urethane material in the bumper was to absorb and deflect some of the damage from a VERY MINOR impact without telegraphing the energy into the fiberglass panels of the front clip.
In any sort of encounter beyond a parking lot tap there will likely be damage, (even if only paint damage), to be repaired.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Jeff,
One more point....whether you use Flex Fiberglass or my suggested NON-Flex Fiberglass bumpers, there WILL be the need for bodywork to get them to fit. You can count on it. Corvettes are essentially hand built cars, and no two cars are exact, nor are the bumpers being sold today. I was sold into Flex glass by my painter because he said it would cut down on bodywork, and it STILL took tons of work. I would gladly have paid a bit more if was required to have wave-free bumpers on front and back. Its a total crap shoot with your car, and the bumper you buy, on how much body work it will take....maybe you will get lucky, but don't count on it.
One more point....whether you use Flex Fiberglass or my suggested NON-Flex Fiberglass bumpers, there WILL be the need for bodywork to get them to fit. You can count on it. Corvettes are essentially hand built cars, and no two cars are exact, nor are the bumpers being sold today. I was sold into Flex glass by my painter because he said it would cut down on bodywork, and it STILL took tons of work. I would gladly have paid a bit more if was required to have wave-free bumpers on front and back. Its a total crap shoot with your car, and the bumper you buy, on how much body work it will take....maybe you will get lucky, but don't count on it.
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