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I know this has already been covered but I have a particular situation that is complicated.
I have a 69 that (front) was damaged many years ago and they (I'm guessing) grafted a 73+ nose on it, the gills are still 69, and the wiper door too.
When I bought it I had no idea this would be so difficult to change back. I should've spent more time researching it, I know.
My dilemma is to get the chrome bumper back on her with obviously the least expense possible!
Thank you for any input and already know I have a hornets nest to deal with. I have a few other issues as well... Front alignment, 4-speed linkage,
headlights, etc.
start shopping for parts. i assume pic is your car? and the front "bumper" is just paint on the 73 nose? at least you do not need 1200 worth of 70 to 72 grilles. 69 set new repro is around 100. bumper itself is 100 to 500. then you need the bumperettes and hockey sticks. you can redo the grille opening hole with saw sander and a bucket of resin. but don't even think about it. buy a nose. that nose was butchered once already. 2 wrongs don't make a right. 2 butcherings do not make a live cow. just more hamburger buy a nose. sometimes you can get lucky. but even 1500 for a repro is a big step up over any attempt to rebuild that nose.
need pics from underneath. you need to know if frame extensions and crossmember under radiator is orig and intact. i get the impression you are not already comfortable doing glass work. so this is probably not a good idea for you to attempt. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-NO...cAAOSwpfxf4TDV i am a big proponent of buy the tools and parts and do it yourself. but this is not replacing bolt-on parts.
Last edited by derekderek; Feb 2, 2021 at 06:43 AM.
start reading. http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...lation-part-1/ one more thing to contemplate. the price and time of a repaint. you mess with that body, even if redo is perfect, you now have a car that is at least 2 different colors. it looks good as-is. any parts you collect to do the job you would be able to sell at break-even price if you decide not to proceed with this job. i am not saying don't do it. but consider all the downsides.
Last edited by derekderek; Feb 2, 2021 at 06:54 AM.
Enjoy the car as it is.
If you start to tear it apart and can't complete the project, and it will be a project, then you lose any value you have now.
When you can't stand fretting about it anymore, buy another one.
Personaly I think the hood graphics already lower any selling value, and the front body modificaions even more.
Consider the money you're going to spend to "fix" this one as money towards a better car.
If you take it apart I am sure you could get a little $$ for those rectangular headlights. Just swapping those out might make the car easier on your eyes. And I love them, and have a set on my project. I tend to agree with enjoying the car. And if it really is an issue, get a different car. Good luck on a not so easy decision.
Derek and other members have guided me on a similar project. There are two ways to accomplish it: the hard way...and the harder way.
The hard way involves less fiberglass work and less time. I learned how to do fiberglass work on this modification.
IF you can't find/buy a used '69 "nose" to graft onto the body, then the outline below is the next choice.
Below is an OUTLINE...The actual process is more detailed.
Basically...cut off the "nose" within 1/2" of the front of the headlights. Save the nose piece you cut off to be used on the modification.
Use masking take to hold the chrome bumper to the saved nose piece. (Wrap the masking tape around BOTH pieces securely.
Position the nose piece for the best fit where the "corners" of the bumper meet the nose the sides of the fenders.
Fill in the gap between the nose piece and the body with fiberglass.
Install the lower valence.
Trim the grill openings to fit the "hockey sticks".
(I eventually switched to the "harder way" to get the nose as close to original as possible )
73 up Chrome bumper switch?
