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Old Oct 30, 2024 | 11:26 PM
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Default Bumper swap

Will a 79 bumper fit a 81?
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Old Oct 30, 2024 | 11:29 PM
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Yes.

But your car will look a LOT better if you put an 81 bumper on a 79.
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Old Oct 30, 2024 | 11:30 PM
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I like the pace car spoiler better....
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Old Oct 30, 2024 | 11:48 PM
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You can get that look, without the taped-on Pace Car spoiler ridge, with several other fiberglass bumper options, including whatever is on my own 79.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pictures.html
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Old Oct 30, 2024 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
Will a 79 bumper fit a 81?
Originally Posted by Bikespace
Yes.

But your car will look a LOT better if you put an 81 bumper on a 79.

LOL, at no time did the OP say “rear” bumper. I read the OP and then the response and I thought “are you nuts? You can’t put a ‘79 front bumper on a ‘81!”

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Old Oct 31, 2024 | 12:09 AM
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I guess you did think I was crazy...I sorry I will be more specific next time..I.like your bumper, what did you use to fill in the recess
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Old Oct 31, 2024 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Mikey1958
... I.like your bumper, what did you use to fill in the recess
My car came that way. I doubt it was an ACI bumper filled in, it likely came from a different mold, one that may not no longer be available. There are other leads in that thread.

Perhaps @dzhrp7 has some updated photos.
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Old Oct 31, 2024 | 02:48 PM
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Below are photos of the work done on my ACI rear bumper. I filled the recesses, added two exhaust scallops, and provided for LED tag lights and a back-up camera. Also holes for '74 style letters. Its on the car now, but I don't have a picture yet.

I was concerned about too thick body filler or glass. So I used balsa sheet to fill much of the relief.  Hey, the boat guys do this and get away with it.
I was concerned about too thick body filler or glass. So I used balsa sheet to fill much of the relief. Hey, the boat guys do this and get away with it.


I used fiberglass mat and epoxy resin over the balsa to completely fill the recess.
I used fiberglass mat and epoxy resin over the balsa to completely fill the recess.


This shows the filled recesses. Ready for final prep and paint.


Other modifications included two exhaust scallops and provision for tag LEDs and a back-up camera.
Other modifications included two exhaust scallops and provision for tag LEDs and a back-up camera.



After paint, but not polished out.






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Old Oct 31, 2024 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by dzhrp7
Below are photos of the work done on my ACI rear bumper. I filled the recesses, added two exhaust scallops, and provided for LED tag lights and a back-up camera. Also holes for '74 style letters. Its on the car now, but I don't have a picture yet.

I was concerned about too thick body filler or glass. So I used balsa sheet to fill much of the relief. Hey, the boat guys do this and get away with it.

I used fiberglass mat and epoxy resin over the balsa to completely fill the recess.

This shows the filled recesses. Ready for final prep and paint.

Other modifications included two exhaust scallops and provision for tag LEDs and a back-up camera.

After paint, but not polished out.
This is amazing, thank you!

I hope you don't mind, I copied your reply into the ACI bumper thread as well. This is an awesome how-to that can really help folks who want to do something similar!
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