need help with front bumper

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May 13, 2002 | 05:03 PM

BPvette79

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 17

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From: Lincoln NE

need help with front bumper

hi, im new to the corvette community, i just bought my 79 vette last fall and have tons of ideas for it, just no money. one thing that i want to do for sure is change the front bumper. i love the look of the 80-82 style Daytona 4 front bumper in the vanacorvette.com site(page 22). it says it fits 75-79 by molding in....has anyone tried this. if so how hard would it be, or is it more trouble than its worth. i really want this front bumper, but if its too hard than i think ill just settle for the indy style front spoiler. any input that you can give me would be much appreciated!!! and dont be surprised if you start seeing lots of questions from me in the future. obviously all of you on here know your stuff, so you will be my first resource for all my questions. thanks in advance for any input.

May 13, 2002 | 05:33 PM

Eddie 70

Race Director

Joined: Feb 1999

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From: Lenoir City Tennessee

Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

Re: need help with front bumper (BPvette79)

Welcome to the forum BP. It is a great place. Unless the front bumper is in a bad way I believe I would leave it that way. I have always liked the 79 body style. You will find out that a lot of guys on here have done exactly what you are wanting to do. I say go for it if that is what you want. Good luck and keep us posted.

Couple more things, bring on the questions and show us some pictures.
Gotta have pictures. :cool:

May 13, 2002 | 06:10 PM

Vettesic

Drifting

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 1,478

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From: Long Island NY

Re: need help with front bumper (BPvette79)

BP,
Welcome! The front and rear bumper covers on my 80 are Eckler's Flexfit (type of fiberglass). I was going to glass in the rear bumper. However, changed my mind due to keeping the originality issue. If you are going to glass in the front bumper, there are topics on fiberglass repair in the tech sections I believe. Also there are books on glass repair and customizing in most of the vette mail order cats. If you deceide to go with the custom front bumper, make sure you do it corectly, as to avoid a cracking problem after your prized vette is painted. Good Luck and glad you are on board with us!! L8TER, Paul.

May 14, 2002 | 12:00 AM

BPvette79

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 17

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From: Lincoln NE

Re: need help with front bumper (BPvette79)

if i decide to go with the 80-82 style front bumper, would i need to do anything else to my front end to make it fit. would it mount like my old one or would i need to do something special to get it to stay on....other than just molding in the sides....

May 14, 2002 | 01:42 AM

jerryjfunk

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Pittsburgh PA

Re: need help with front bumper (BPvette79)

I just decided that I'm going to sell both of my urethane bumpers and go with fiberglass. I'm not sure if I'm going to make it look stock, or glass them in... does anyone have pictures of a bumper glassed into the car?

Thanks,
Jerry

May 14, 2002 | 03:20 PM

BPvette79

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2002

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From: Lincoln NE

Re: need help with front bumper (jerryjfunk)

i dont have any pictures of a glassed in vette, but i saw one at a car show and oh my did it look good. thats where i got the idea for it. the guy had a 77 vette, but an 80 style front and rear and everything glassed, looked super sharp. just like one uniform body with doors, it was a very impressive vette. i really want to do it, but im just not sure how much work is involved. the main question i have though is how to attach the front bumper to a 79 front end. i would be delighted if someone could answer that question for me....PLEASE!!!! god i wish i knew more about cars...

May 14, 2002 | 04:00 PM

kgraumann

Racer

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 369

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From: Nowhere

Re: need help with front bumper (BPvette79)

Quote:

i just bought my 79 vette last fall and have tons of ideas for it, just no money.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Corvettes will do that to you.

May 14, 2002 | 06:23 PM

Vettesic

Drifting

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 1,478

Likes: 38

From: Long Island NY

Re: need help with front bumper (BPvette79)

Quote:

i really want to do it, but im just not sure how much work is involved. the main question i have though is how to attach the front bumper to a 79 front end. i would be delighted if someone could answer that question for me....Please.

BP....Take a look at your 79 front fenders. Then take a look at my 80 front fenders. They were re-designed for 1980. A 1980 front bumper cover will not mount up to you 79 fenders. They are configured differently. If you are really bent on doing this you will have to change your fenders to 80's style. Big job and big loot. In which you said you don't have a lot of. Join the club. As for the 80 rear bumper cover, I think you will have no problem there. You may have to re-drill some mounting holes. There's a shark a couple blocks over from me that bolted an 80's rear bumper to his 76. If I can get the chance I'll pic his brain and get back to you. Good Luck, L8TER, Paul.