My rear bumper has the later 76-7 bumper emblem. I want to replace it with the correct individual letters. My

bumper cover does not have the indentations for a 75 but is in too good condition to replace. Does anyone know of a source for a template to correctly position the letters on a flat rear bumper. I have a set of letters but need a template.

 

You won't find one.. there 1975 rear letters were embosed into the bumper cover... so you'd have to cut a relief in each letter to sink them downward. From the looks of the fit you already have, in my humble opinion i'd leave well enough alone...

Willcox

 

There is no template. I put them on my 77 (personal preference). To do so, after looking at photos of rear ends (NOT those!), I determined that using the center line of the screws securing the tail lights will determine the horizontal center line. The L.H. start and the R.H. end of the letters should be at the light vertical contour line of your license plate surround (or a little further apart - the outside vertical beginning and end of the license plate surround).

Having taken measurements, I got a sheet of foam cored poster board and put a strip of 2" masking tape on it, drawing the horizontal center line and the beginning and end lines. I measured equal spaces for the letters and arranged them for appearance (because of the varying width of the letters, slight spacing changes may be necessary). Then I marked where the prongs of the individual letters would be. I made small indents with a thin awl and inserted the letters into the masking tape/poster board. When done, I held the poster board in place to check appearance. FINALLY, I removed the masking tape from the poster board and put it onto my rear bumper, forming a perfect template for drilling the necessary holes.

Several caveats - 1) the emblem you currently have will leave 3 larger oblong holes (at a approx. 45 degree angle) in your bumper cover. NONE of these will line up with any of the holes used by your letter template. Your bumper will have to be filled, refinished and repainted. 2) Getting to the rear of the bumper cover and the current emblem is challenging. The emblem is backed with a significant piece of metal, there are 3 threaded small nuts that must be removed, and blocking access is a large aluminum triangular reinforcement bolted to the bumper. You will probably want to drop your tire tub and your tank to get enough room to work.

Good Luck!! If you need more, please PM me.

 

Thank you for the detailed response. I had about given up. I was thinking along the same route you took. Good to know someone has "been there and done that". Do you have a picture you can share of the end result?