Hello everyone, I just recently got a 1974 C3. It's always been my dream to have a C3 and I can't wait to start working on it. The biggest issue with the exterior is the back bumper is cracked in two spots and the paint is flaking off. The front bumper isn't as bad but it also is cracking and has some paint damage. My plan is to replace both bumpers and my question is if there is a certain company you guys would recommend or certain material. From what I've researched so far I could get either fiberglass or polyurethane. For those of you who have done this yourselves how difficult is it? I have some experience with bodywork and have some friends who could help out as well but I don't have a lot of tools besides the basics. I am hoping to make this a winter project but I don't know if it would require a professional or not.

Thanks!

Tyler

 

I recommend straight fiberglass, NOT Trueflex or any type of "flexi" glass for bumpers that will look as good as the rest of the car. Everything else i.e. rubber, or Trueflex will come with waviness. You can count on the fact that ANY fiberglass bumper you buy will require bodywork to fit your car, as all Corvettes were hand built and none the same. There are only a few manufacturers I know if, one is ACI in Toledo, and ITS Fiberglass (former ACI employee). Many vendors sell fiberglass bumpers, but again, only a couple manufacturers, which is where the vendors get there parts. You can do internet search for contacts on both ACI and ITS.

Some will say Trueflex is the way to go, but I regret it. The main body of the car is perfect and wave free, but Trueflex bumpers are thinner, and therefore not as structurally stiff,....and therefore, have visible waves across the surfaces, that become more evident in the heat of the sun. And truth is, even Trueflex bumpers needed bodywork to match my car,......so I got no benefit out of it, but I sure got waves. If I did it again, I would buy straight fiberglass bumpers from ITS, and ask him to make them thicker than normal.....maybe another layer or two of glass, so that they had the same structural integrity as the rest of the car. Then whatever bodywork it takes to fit and match all lines.

 

Hi Tyler, welcome to the C3 family. Here is a link to s a very thorough front bumper rigid fiberglass replacement. The member ( DUB)that put the thread together did a fantastic job in explaining the process and providing his recommendations. Armed with his thread I have started replacing both bumpers on my 1976. I purchased the rigid fiberglass front and rear from Ecklers Corvette. Unfortunately the fit is terrible and requires a lot of work. If I had to do it over again I would purchase the one DUB recommended.
Best of luck. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

 

Hey Tyler,
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new Corvette.
You will probably get many different opinions on this question but I agree with Flyboy, fiberglass is the only way to go. I have replaced about a dozen front and/or rear bumpers on C3's from this era and used fiberglass every time. The cars always turn out perfect, while I've seen flex replacements that look bad/warped, as soon as they're painted or others that develop the waves a year down the road. It's your Corvette and paint/body isn't cheap. You only want to do this once.
The whole point of "flex" type bumpers is moot anyway as soon as they get even the smallest bump. The paint will crack and need to be corrected. Fiberglass is very easy to fix.
Cheers, brother and good luck with your great looking 'vette!
Greg

 

Tyler, welcome to the forum and congrats on your ‘74! I can’t help with your bumper situation, but I’m sure others with chime in. Post up some more pictures when you can. The forum family loves Corvette pictures. Enjoy your new ride!

 

Welcome to the forum, i used a True-Flex on the back of out 75, very little fitment problems and no warping.
I used an Eckler glass front bumper and it took a lot of work to get the seams straight.
Hope this is helpful.

 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I can't wait to keep reading through the forum's and learning new stuff!

 

While repainting my car, we set the rear factory urathane bumper on the floor and over night it split in two, the front bumper already had the cracks so I used True-Flex both on the front and on the rear. They have been on since 2003. I had no fitment problems at all. I feel it is safer if somebody was to "bump" into my bumpers, hoping they will not crack