bumper replacement on a 1975
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Erie Pa.
bumper replacement on a 1975
My brother inlaw has a 75 with 10,000 miles its nice but the bumpers are crap, he wants to replace them( I will probably be doing the work), he doesn't want to pay for the expensive original GM ones, what is a good fitting aftermarket one to buy, I saw one style called flexiglass, are they okay? thanks for any help.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 12
From: Rockford, IL
That's a very controversial subject around here, but I went with the flexi-glass bumper from Ecklers Corvette.
As far as I know you have three options for your bumpers:
Urethane
Flexi-glass (sometimes called flex-fit)
Fiberglass
Urethane Pros:
-Original
-Very flexible and won't crack if you get bumped
Urethane Cons:
-if it does get hit, it can cause the paint to spiderweb on the bumper
-has a tendency to get a "wavy" appearance after several years due to deformation
Fiberglass Pros:
-will not warp
Fiberglass cons:
-will break if it gets bumped
Flexi-glass pros:
-best of both worlds. Doesn't (shouldn't) warp
-has a decent amount of give, so it won't crack as easy if bumped.
Flexi-glass cons:
-there have been reports of it still warping/getting wavy, but it's not as bad as the urethane
-depending on the bump, it will still break. Not nearly as flexible as the urethane.
That's all the information I have. I personally went with the flexi-glass and I haven't had any problems nor have I been in any bumper car battles since I got it.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
As far as I know you have three options for your bumpers:
Urethane
Flexi-glass (sometimes called flex-fit)
Fiberglass
Urethane Pros:
-Original
-Very flexible and won't crack if you get bumped
Urethane Cons:
-if it does get hit, it can cause the paint to spiderweb on the bumper
-has a tendency to get a "wavy" appearance after several years due to deformation
Fiberglass Pros:
-will not warp
Fiberglass cons:
-will break if it gets bumped
Flexi-glass pros:
-best of both worlds. Doesn't (shouldn't) warp
-has a decent amount of give, so it won't crack as easy if bumped.
Flexi-glass cons:
-there have been reports of it still warping/getting wavy, but it's not as bad as the urethane
-depending on the bump, it will still break. Not nearly as flexible as the urethane.
That's all the information I have. I personally went with the flexi-glass and I haven't had any problems nor have I been in any bumper car battles since I got it.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
Likes: 3,123
From: Shamong, NJ
I really like the flexible fiberglass bumpers. They're basically fiberglass bumpers, made using a different resin. Flexible fiberglass bumpers have some give to them, but will still crack when bumped. They aren't really intended to be a flexible replacement, for a urethane bumper, but instead to create the illusion of a urethane one.
If your just replacing the bumper(s), and not planning on repainting the car, then the fiberglass may be a better choice. Fiberglass bumpers can be sanded or filled, to help them fit the contours of the car. If a urethane bumper isn't fitting, then your stuck with bodywork on the car, and a repaint.
Toledo Pro's Tru-Flex bumpers, were the original flexible fiberglass bumper. They still make one of the best on the market. ACI (a Forum Supporting vendor) also makes a very high quality, flexible fiberglass bumper.
If your just replacing the bumper(s), and not planning on repainting the car, then the fiberglass may be a better choice. Fiberglass bumpers can be sanded or filled, to help them fit the contours of the car. If a urethane bumper isn't fitting, then your stuck with bodywork on the car, and a repaint.
Toledo Pro's Tru-Flex bumpers, were the original flexible fiberglass bumper. They still make one of the best on the market. ACI (a Forum Supporting vendor) also makes a very high quality, flexible fiberglass bumper.
Last edited by gbvette62; Feb 21, 2013 at 07:57 PM. Reason: punctuation
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
I went with the truflex front bumper on my 73 from Wilcox and couldn't be happier.
Don't expect it to fit exactly perfect but with just a little effort , looks like a million bucks and none of the annoying ripples and waves of the original eurethane.
Good luck
Don't expect it to fit exactly perfect but with just a little effort , looks like a million bucks and none of the annoying ripples and waves of the original eurethane.
Good luck
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Calgary AB
I just did my '75 bumpers with the Tru-Flex. Installation was not too difficult and fit was as good as the urethane ones that had disintegrated. I am having the entire car repainted.
Last edited by martyr; Feb 22, 2013 at 01:01 PM. Reason: added pics
