C3 Bumpers
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Joined: Aug 2020
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C3 Bumpers
Hey guys,
My 74 needs new bumpers. The front one is in the worst shape so I'm going to start with that one. I've researched on here and it seems that going with a rigid fiberglass bumper would probably be my best bet. Do any of you have recommendations on which company to buy from? I've used corvette mods and have been impressed with them so for the few orders I've done and the same with zip corvette.
Thanks!
Tyler
My 74 needs new bumpers. The front one is in the worst shape so I'm going to start with that one. I've researched on here and it seems that going with a rigid fiberglass bumper would probably be my best bet. Do any of you have recommendations on which company to buy from? I've used corvette mods and have been impressed with them so for the few orders I've done and the same with zip corvette.
Thanks!
Tyler
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Many Corvette vendors sell fiberglass parts, but for the most part, I believe the primary manufacturers are Ecklers in FLorida, and ACI in Toledo. ACI stuff is good stuff. Also, a company called ITS Fiberglass, is a small company, with lots of good experience,...search for them on internet. I highly recommend you do NOT buy any Trueflex or Flex style bumpers. Buy straight, rigid fiberglass. The will ALL require fitting and bondo work to fit your car, but the flex stuff shows its flexibility in "waviness", especially once out in the sun. The rest of the car is rigid and firm fiberglass, the bumpers should be too,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
I've shared this picture of my car before ...very original 82 and just look at how awesome that bumper lines up! 🤪 Point being, don't drive yourself crazy attempting to get the lines perfect because they never were from the factory. Life lessons with a Corvette!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Why
Of course, people can build cars to any standard they choose. I will never understand why people work so hard to get door gaps perfect, and sand waves out of the body, and then somehow are satisfied with the poor fit of rubber bumpers, and the worst is the 80-82 rear bumper, across the top, came from the factory with the waves of the ocean......why was that acceptable. Not good enough for me. I want the bumpers to be as wave free as the rest of the car. But, again,.....those are my standards. And how the car came from the factory is irrelevant,.......their poor fitment and integrity do not have to result in me being satisifed with those choices. And if that is the original rubber bumper, I bet from different angles, its not so nice, and WILL eventually crack and deteriorate.......if the car is ever taken outside. Sorry, its a pet peeve of mine,.....so thus my rant. You are free to ignore me.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Nov 28, 2020 at 02:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1,181
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
There is a sign in my shop that reads,,
. "Lower Your Expectations "
Your correct flyboy, we each have our own level of whats acceptable for us,,, its great, isn't it?
. "Lower Your Expectations "
Your correct flyboy, we each have our own level of whats acceptable for us,,, its great, isn't it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 1,255
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Your correct flyboy, we each have our own level of whats acceptable for us,,, its great, isn't it? [/QUOTE]
Amen !
ACI has excellent quality fiberglass, I have used their products on a few occasions and been very pleased.
[/QUOTE]Amen !
ACI has excellent quality fiberglass, I have used their products on a few occasions and been very pleased.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,049
Likes: 675
From: FL
Many Corvette vendors sell fiberglass parts, but for the most part, I believe the primary manufacturers are Ecklers in FLorida, and ACI in Toledo. ACI stuff is good stuff. Also, a company called ITS Fiberglass, is a small company, with lots of good experience,...search for them on internet. I highly recommend you do NOT buy any Trueflex or Flex style bumpers. Buy straight, rigid fiberglass. The will ALL require fitting and bondo work to fit your car, but the flex stuff shows its flexibility in "waviness", especially once out in the sun. The rest of the car is rigid and firm fiberglass, the bumpers should be too,
Installed in 2004.
16 year later.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My Trueflex bumpers on my 77 have waviness that is most visible in hot sun. The rest of the car, i.e. Chevrolet's fiberglass does not. I would never use Trueflex again. They are TOO thin first of all, and secondly, the "flex" resin allows for the waviness. Again..... a person has to be discriminate when looking at this and it depends on your standards. It is not as bad as the rubber bumpers, but absolutely not as good as the rest of the car. Done again, I would use straight fiberglass bumpers, and possible add layers on the inside to make sure it is as thick and solid as the factory glass. If you do searches, you will see that Dub agrees with me, and most veterans on here know that Dub knows what he is talking about when it comes to fiberglass Corvettes.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Dec 1, 2020 at 05:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,049
Likes: 675
From: FL
My Trueflex bumpers on my 77 have waviness that is most visible in hot sun. The rest of the car, i.e. Chevrolet's fiberglass does not. I would never use Trueflex again. They are TOO thin first of all, and secondly, the "flex" resin allows for the waviness. Again..... a person have to be discriminate when looking at this. It is not as bad as the rubber bumpers, but absolutely not as good as the rest of the car. Done again, I would use straight fiberglass bumpers, and possible add layers on the inside to make sure it is as thick and solid as the factory glass. If you do searches, you will see that Dub agrees with me, and most veterans on here know that Dub knows what he is talking about when it comes to fiberglass Corvettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1,181
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1,181
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
That is typical for ANY brand of fiberglass covers. You may already have realized this from your research, , each car is whats different, so you may get a great match or a really awful fit up,,,too many variables to get a replacement cover that fits all cars perfectly ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 Corvettes were hand built, with lots of tolerance for variation. Do not expect to buy an aftermarket bumper, no matter who makes it, and expect it to fit without work. Not going to happen. So, face the fact that it will take custom fitting, and buy straight fiberglass, not Trueflex, and end up with wave free, solid looking bumpers that look as good as the rest of the car. Trueflex does allow for a small amount of "movement" to make it fit easier, but mine still required bodywork,......and in the end, in the sun, it looks like crap.