Front clip swap …
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 46
From: Feenicks
Front clip swap …
I finally found a local painter! Just in time as I started another project 
… I did it to myself.
anyways, I thought I’d make my C3 repaint a little more difficult and perform a front clip swap. Has anyone actually swapped a chrome bumper front clip onto a later car? I see the frame extension pieces look simple, 4 frame extension brackets, crossmember and the bumper ram.
as for the rear, this “glass works” rear bumper looks great.
I have an all original 1981 4 speed that’s clean but paint is needing help, and a few corners of the bonding strip are cracking (no impact damage).
I love the bubble back and the weight loss of the 80-82, but I have an internal battle for a chrome bumper. But having BOTH would just be too cool and unique NOT to at least consider. Honestly, I always liked the 80-82 body the best, but there is something charming about the chrome bumper that feels classy and classic.
… I did it to myself.anyways, I thought I’d make my C3 repaint a little more difficult and perform a front clip swap. Has anyone actually swapped a chrome bumper front clip onto a later car? I see the frame extension pieces look simple, 4 frame extension brackets, crossmember and the bumper ram.
as for the rear, this “glass works” rear bumper looks great.
I have an all original 1981 4 speed that’s clean but paint is needing help, and a few corners of the bonding strip are cracking (no impact damage).
I love the bubble back and the weight loss of the 80-82, but I have an internal battle for a chrome bumper. But having BOTH would just be too cool and unique NOT to at least consider. Honestly, I always liked the 80-82 body the best, but there is something charming about the chrome bumper that feels classy and classic.
Last edited by Ericshere03; Jun 6, 2023 at 02:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,199
Likes: 7,796
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Putting a rubber bumper front end on a chrome bumper car just doesn't sound like a very good idea. Sell the chrome bumper car and buy 2 rubber bumper cars.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 46
From: Feenicks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 46
From: Feenicks
I was considering putting the chrome bumper clip on my 81 and grafting on a rear chrome bumper conversion tail piece … basically making a 1972 with a bubble butt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 5, 2023 at 09:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
My first vette was 72 L48 i liked the flat hood from looking out over it better then my 73 looking out over the cowl hood, i did think the 72 windshield wiper with the flap that came up was goofy looking when you had to use it. My 78 when you were inside of it had a lot more roomy open feel to it. When it came out new in 78 i bought it i liked the new back end but not today. If i had to choose i think id rather have the 73 with the 72 a very close second.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 46
From: Feenicks
exactly a 72 is worth a lot more money then later cars. You sort of cross breed your 72 value of your car will go next to nothing. People that want like the 80 to 82 wont want your car and people that like the 68 to 72 cars wont want your car with that front end on it.
I used to drive 240z and 280z’s , I NEVER thought they’d be very valuable, but they’re easily double to quadruple the price of a C3 of equal condition.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
I do not completely agree. For the purist, I can see that. But this is my car, not an investment piece … a 1981 is next to worthless. I paid 6 grand for it, I wouldn’t mind spending DOUBLE that to have chrome front and rear bumpers plus a decent paint job. Add 2,00 for interior and I’ll have a nice driver car with only 60k miles on it. I can see in the far future a “hybrid” easily being with $20,000.
I used to drive 240z and 280z’s , I NEVER thought they’d be very valuable, but they’re easily double to quadruple the price of a C3 of equal condition.
I used to drive 240z and 280z’s , I NEVER thought they’d be very valuable, but they’re easily double to quadruple the price of a C3 of equal condition.
Advanced
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 58
Likes: 39
I think there is much confusion in this thread and it may stem from the wording in the first post. From what I am deciphering, the OP has an '81 that he wants to graft chrome bumpers onto, not removing bumpers from an early 70's car. Perhaps he can clarify that again??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 46
From: Feenicks
I think there is much confusion in this thread and it may stem from the wording in the first post. From what I am deciphering, the OP has an '81 that he wants to graft chrome bumpers onto, not removing bumpers from an early 70's car. Perhaps he can clarify that again??
I guess the only question I was really asking; Haz anyone swapped a chrome bumper front clip onto a later year C3? I am considering swapping a 72 front clip on my 81.
Advanced
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 58
Likes: 39
Look at the "related thread" below this one.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 33
My old shop teacher has the 69 stingray body moulds he bought off the factory when they stopped making them. He builds them every year and ships them to Europe, makes a fortune off those molds. Would they help? Sure he'd let me use them if I asked.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 33
My mistake sorry. I called him and it's the molds for the 67 not 69.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 33
My mistake sorry. I called him and it's the molds for the 67 not 69.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 822
From: Wisconsin
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Read the link. Even better watch the episode. I think it'll supply you with some answers to the questions you're asking. Yes it's possible to do what you're describing. This is a 74 however but back dated it to a 69.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...e-preview/amp/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...e-preview/amp/
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 29
Likes: 12
I've only seen 1 bubble window C3 with a bumper conversion in person but if the work is done right I think they look pretty cool. Don't discount later C3's going up in value though. When I paid $600 for my pretty clean '69 Nova in the early 90's($1300 today) solid examples of them were cheap and plentiful too. Thirty years later people are asking upwards of $4-5k for abused rusty rollers. If you plan to keep the car, and understand that nobody really makes a profit on custom cars unless they are being payed to build it for someone else, I say do it.
