I am getting my 76 painted this winter. Looking for recommendations good or bad for fiberglass bumper covers.

 

I used ACI bumpers on my 76.
The bumper fit wasn't to bad but I did have to work both covers mostly on the top portion. I also had to remove the brackets that fit behind the bumperettes front and rear, the rear upper tank protector(sits on top of rear rebar) removed the tail lamps supports( lamps now bolt to bumper cover.)
I used oem style retainers which had to be drilled out along with drilling holes for tail lamps and lic plate lamp. I was unable to use the front plate bracket because the distance between the bumperettes is wrong. The front plate barley fits.
Over the week end I noticed a couple of high spots in the front bumper and it turns out to be the absorber, so now I will have to remove front cover the take to absorber off. I am not to worried about the parts I had to remove but overall I am not happy about the amount of work required just use these covers. I did a 74 frame off many years and used glass covers with no where near the hassle the ACIs have been just do not recall the brand.

 

Well I think the ACI covers are top notch. About the best your going to find.
There have been a LOT of threads on here over the years on this very topic. Perhaps just do a google search. Flex fit, standard fibreglass, replacement urethane. Which to use.
Almost no one gets a perfect fit regardless of brand. Everyone has to fit them. These cars were hand made. None of them are perfect.

 

Another vote for ACI. And another vote for lots of work to get them to fit. But worth it. Do a search for a thread on fitting them by DUB(rip). He will show you what is involved.

 

I'd go with ACI.

I'd also consider an 80-82 rear bumper, rather than the melted stick of butter that is stock for 76.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ar-bumper.html

 

ACI fiberglass is what I purchased for my 73.
It was close but still needed several hours of labor by the paint shop to get it perfect.

 

My 80 has ACI front and rear bumpers. Both required a lot of work for proper fitment. The front was way off in many areas. I put a J&D Corvette rear bumper on a friend’s 81 and fitment much better than the ACI. Maybe just differences in the car itself, not sure. Lastly, I have a new old stock Ecklers front that I’ll put on my 82 at some point. It appears to have a lot less molding marks compared to the ACI front. Not sure if Ecklers made their own bumpers, or if they are still available.

 

Circling back now I have my new old stock Ecklers fiberglass bumper installed. I have about 25 hours of body work to get the fit and lines right. Both ACI and Ecklers front bumpers need the most attention on the top and side corners. I also took some extra time to tighten the gaps along the edge above the turn signals.

 

Sorry this is a late question. I have a 1977.... when repainting (sometime in future)... can you just have the original front and rear bumpers repainted?

 

Yes you can repaint the originals.
It will depend on the condition of the bumpers.
They do have a tendency to sag and become out of shape over the years and that’s why most of us replace them.
Many people also like the later model years bumper covers and want to change up the looks of their cars.
Changing the bumper covers is labor intensive and can be costly, but so can trying to repair and restore the originals.

 

When I was repainting my 77 in 2001. The rear original bumper cover just crumbled when removed. It looked just fine up until we attempted to unbolt it.
If yours are actually original. And it hasn't crumbled yet. Your lucky. However, if I were you. I'd plan on replacements.
Most of these original covers have crumbled away by now.
My original front bumper cover was destroyed in a crash in 99. Hit a deer.

 

If you can do this you can repaint them...

 

Thank you all for your advice. Apologize for late response. Holiday season can get in the way. Happy New year!