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This is for a local who has a Late '76 base C3 driver and it needs new replacement bumpers both F&R. Car will be repainted yellow overall. Owner is Not seeking awards/judging/points.
We understand there are available essentially three (3) materials choices: (first) Hard, rigid fiberglass, (second) OE-type floppy Urethane, and (third) a semi-rigid composite of fiberglass-plastic i.e. CC's "TrueFlex".
Q? Which material is best?
Q? Which brand is best?
Q? Which supplier is best?
Also, we see available 80-82 style rear bumpers with small integral spoiler. Also understand it may be retro-fitted to late 76.
Either of the fiberglass bumper covers will require tweaking to get a good fit.
The new formula urethane used in reproduction bumpers covers is of better quality than the old stuff and will stand up to UV better than the originals.
I have hard fiberglass both front and rear, my rear bumper is an 82 style with the spoiler which I like the looks of myself. The rear was on the car when I bought it but I put the front on myself............it was a bitch of a job getting it to fit properly. You'll have to grind the shock cushion so it fits inside the new bumper and also some of the braces that support the steel in the front end. I used some blue powder (the kind you use for a chaulk line) sprinkled on the car then installed the bumper so see where the interference was. I'd rather change the motor again than do another one of those! I'd stay away from the urethane, the urethane parts from GM are as old as the car and brittle in the box they came in.
Can't remember who actually made mine but I wouldn't expect anything different no matter who makes it from what i've read.
Here's a shot of my rear bumper, by the look of things underneath there wasn't much of any modifications done to it to make it fit.
Go with Willcox True Flex. I did mine and it fits pretty well right out of the box. I have a 74 show car and just re-painted my front and rear bumpers after my front fell apart.
True Flex here too. I think there's only one manufacturer. I bought mine from Ecklers. There is always a chance that the fit won't be perfect. Mine was almost 1/4" too short. I just laid on some fiberglass resin and sanded to perfection. When you upgrade you can remove some of the supports which were designed to keep the shape of the rubber bumper. But, make sure you keep the crush supports.