I can get a 75 relatively inexpensively and am planning on changing to a ZZ4 or an LS1 in the motor department, so originality is not an issue, my question is has anyone converted a non-bumper car to a bumper car? I am partial to the early c3 bumper cars and would like to have that look if possible.

 

It can be done but at great expense. Would have to replace the front clip and the rear deck, rear quarters, and add the new rear panel. Lots of body work. Would be much, much cheaper to just buy a chrome bumper car.

tom...

 

I looked into the same thing once. The front clips are not the same at all. That is number one thing. Second the rear ends are not the same either. So it would mean chopping two cars to pieces. Probably not worth the effort.

Bob

 

i have seen people with older cars (chrome bumpers) drop on a newer front end... kinda looks like a 73

I think the rear, you would end up cuting the glass and dropping on some patch pieces from ecklers/another car. The egg carton/finned side inlets might be a trick to get right...

The frame is basicly the same under all of the car... just the small pieces that add $$ to the conversion

I Think for the same price, you could find a car that's already a chrome bumper, engineless etc... and be in about the same price range

 

holy cow... i thought i was the first one posting!!! come back and already have 3... you guys type to fast :jester

 

That is our whole purpose in life.... :jester :jester

 

Thanks for your quick responces guys. I thought it may be tough, does it sway anyones decision if I say I an get a complete front and rear clip for next to nothing?(friend of the family) :seeya

 

I would put them next to the car then decide. It won't be easy.

Bob

 

Anything is possible! It may not be economically feasable, but I am sure it has been done. I have not done this myself but I did replace the quarter panels on my 73 (70's flares had to go!)
Lets see,
1. Remove rear bumper cover and reinforcement
2. Break loose L & R quarter panels and remove
3. Remove spare tire & fuel tank
4. Decide where you want to splice the rear deck and cut away!
5. Locate the new-old rear panel/rear deck section on the car, try to save the aft portion of the quarter panel bond strips, and secure in place.
6. Using many strips of fiberglass mat, stick it together inside and out overlap the joint in steps and extend several inches past the joint, build it up on the inside.
7. Once splice is done, bond on the new-old quarter panels and start sanding!
8. Move to the front of the car and break loose the entire nose.
9. Remove 75 nose and locate 70-72 and bond in place.
10. Prep the entire car and paint it!

The only problem is that by now, you have probably spent more on parts and peices to convert it than you would have to just buy the car you wanted. If you can do everything yourself, and have access to all the parts at a very reasonable cost, you might be able to pull it off on a break even basis but if you have to hire the work out, forget it.

As I said, I have a 73 454 4 speed car, and I am not exactly in love with the soft bumper front end. I have considered building a 70-72 nose and installing it but since it is a numbers matching car, I can't justify actually doing it. Take it from me, if you are going to all the time and expense, start off with the car you really want. You will be happier in the long run.



I believe that the wheel openings and flair of the 75 are basically the same as the 70-73 so you could splice the earlier parts through the wheel opening but.... It would be easier and cleaner to break the 75 quarters off and bond the 70-73 parts on.
splicing across the aft portion of the rear deck

 

I am in the process of coverting my 76 to a bumper car. what I did was buy a 71 rear from the firewall back. It was in need of some repair but for the most part it was solid. Picked it up from another board member for $400. The 76 I bought came with an Elkers Monza Tilt nose (about $2000 new) along with a fully restored frame and lots of misc. pieces. So what I will end up with is a the tail of a bumper car and a custom front tilt nose. I only paid $2500 for the 76 car including the tilt nose.

You can see more of it at my website http://www.geocities.com/etm_76_vette