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Greetings Guys and Gals,
My ‘74 needs bumper covers at both ends. These originals seem to be made out of plastic and they’re old and brittle/cracking/breaking apart.
Can anyone suggest a decent replacement? My car is not a show quality car, just a clean sunny Sunday driver. I’m not looking to break the bank but I can appreciate quality. (Oxymoron?) 🤣 I see some in Ecklers - fiberglass/urethane/flex fit- not sure what flex fit means.
Anyway, any insight on which direction to go? Or a supplier you trust? Thank you!
If you take the time to look at old threads you will see that this has been covered time and again.
And everyone has an opinion on what is best.
Replacement urethane covers have waves. Many find this very objectionable. But that is how these cars were made.
Flex fit fibreglass has a bit of give when fitting up. But not really alot.
Straight fibreglass glass seems to be the smoothest.
ALL will need work to match up to your car.
NONE will just fit.
And Ecklers is probably one of the worst places to order from.
Me, I have a flex fit in the back, and a urethane replacement in the front. And yes my front one does have waves. Just like the original.
I replaced my wife's 73 with TRU-FLEX and as mentioned above, you have to fit to the body. This has been on for about 7 years and I haven't had any waves on mine.
Unless you NEED to have the gap in the stock 2-piece 74 (only) rear, upgrade to a nice fiberglass bumper. There should be some threads by @DUB and others to show you what you need to do.
Better than stock, 80-82 bumpers look nice on earlier C3s. Or check the thread below if you want a taller spoiler.
My 79 (In the link below) has had both of her fiberglass bumpers since a partial restoration 20 years ago.
If you take the time to look at old threads you will see that this has been covered time and again.
And everyone has an opinion on what is best.
Replacement urethane covers have waves. Many find this very objectionable. But that is how these cars were made.
Flex fit fibreglass has a bit of give when fitting up. But not really alot.
Straight fibreglass glass seems to be the smoothest.
ALL will need work to match up to your car.
NONE will just fit.
And Ecklers is probably one of the worst places to order from.
Me, I have a flex fit in the back, and a urethane replacement in the front. And yes my front one does have waves. Just like the original.
That was a very nice summary. Pretty much hits all the points. I have a replacement urethane up front on mine. Not too many waves, mine is pretty flat. I am happy with mine. Takes a lot to fit. Don't think by going urethane it'll be an easy slap-on and go fit. Even a urethane one isn't flexible enough to fit 100% perfect on the edges. You'll probably still need to install the bumper, then sculpt bondo (on the front fenders) to match the curve of the new urethane bumper. If you're lucky, a new urethane bumper will fit 85% good on the edges and be 'good enough' w/o extra bodywork and paint work on the fenders.
One thing to note is, if a driver has a minor infraction with a fiberglass front bumper (flex or solid), it can potentially lead to somewhat greater downstream damage to the front surround and fenders moreso than a urethane bumper cover might. Depends on the circumstances.
I would avoid the temptation to 'glass-in' a fiberglass front bumper to the upper surround. I know you didn't ask that question, but a lot of guys consider it, try it and it inevitably the seems crack given enough time. Just throwing it out there....
Greetings Guys and Gals,
My ‘74 needs bumper covers at both ends. These originals seem to be made out of plastic and they’re old and brittle/cracking/breaking apart.
Can anyone suggest a decent replacement? My car is not a show quality car, just a clean sunny Sunday driver. I’m not looking to break the bank but I can appreciate quality. (Oxymoron?) 🤣 I see some in Ecklers - fiberglass/urethane/flex fit- not sure what flex fit means.
Anyway, any insight on which direction to go? Or a supplier you trust? Thank you!
If you're interested in going with Flexfit front, let me know. I have one still in the box (from Doc R) and will make you a good deal on it.
I went with a FG bumper up front from corvette America and a 73 bumper cover for the rear (got rid of the '80 rear bumper that was on it when I got it).
I went with a FG bumper up front from corvette America and a 73 bumper cover for the rear (got rid of the '80 rear bumper that was on it when I got it).
Is that an '80-'82 rear cover? Looks different somehow.
‘74 Bumper Covers
