75 rear bumper cracks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Washington, Pa. US
75 rear bumper cracks
I have a low mileage very original 75 that the rear urethane bumper is starting to crack. Is it worthwhile to try to repair the urethane, or is this a battle that I can't win. Also is anyone producing a urethane rear bumper? I have seen the tureflex bumpers in the vette mags, is this a good alternative. I hate to go from the original urethane since the car is so original in it's present condition. Probably just trying to find someone to paint it in the original lacquer will be a problem also. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (AGVI)
Your original is on the way out. Your front bumper won't be far behind. I bit the bullet last year. I replaced the front with one from a 1979. The rear was a Truflex.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (Jim Shea)
You can still get the Urethane covers - but they are something like $500-600.
If you really wan to keep it original - you will pay more.
There are cheap aftermarket urethane covers - but that would be worse than replacing with fiberglass.
Good luck. :seeya
If you really wan to keep it original - you will pay more.
There are cheap aftermarket urethane covers - but that would be worse than replacing with fiberglass.
Good luck. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (frank0075)
Go with the Tru-Flex. You get two advantages. First, they don't wrinkle from the heat and always look nice and straight. Second, you don't have to go through any gyrations with the paint. You paint them the same as the body with no flex agents and no problems with matching. I have them on both ends of my 74. Just don't bump anything with them.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (frank0075)
I've seen NOS original rear '75 bumpers go in the $2,000 range. I put TrueFlex bumpers on my '75(which is just a nice non-NCRS driver car)and had to do some extensive modifications to get the TrueFlex ones to "fit" correctly, something you MAY NOT want to do to a super original car as you say yours is. Supposedly Eckler's BOUGHT the GM urethane molds and their FlexFit or what ever they call their version of the TrueFlex is "SUPPOSED" to be the best. I've seen Eckler's '74 "FlexFit on several '74s and it is the best fitting I've seen yet.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (Paul Borowski)
I am in the same boat. My 75 rear bumper was replaced with a 76-79 original GM cover. I want to change it back to the 75 style.
Carlisle is only a few weeks away I guess I will get one there.
[Modified by Corvette ED, 11:49 PM 8/1/2003]
Carlisle is only a few weeks away I guess I will get one there.
[Modified by Corvette ED, 11:49 PM 8/1/2003]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Washington, Pa. US
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (Paul Borowski)
Thanks Paul, Yes it is a very original vette. 29600 miles. I have retained any parts take off thru the years , such as the master cylinder and air compressor. The clock still works. The original paint still looks great. It still has the original tires on it. The only things not original are the wheels, stainless exhaust and stainless calipers. The front bumper at this point looks OK, but the rear is going fast. I have a problem trying to figure out what direction to go with the bumper. I had it up for sale recently and was offered 12000 but I didn't think that was enough for such an original 4 speed car. I guess I will take some time and try to figure this one out. Thanks again!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: 75 rear bumper cracks (frank0075)
Frank, I'm happy how the rear bumper came out, front one too. They look very good-not great, but then really the "original" ones did'nt fit great either. My '74 in due time will need front and rear bumpers, and I'm going with the Eckler's "FlexFit" ones on it. If I were you, and you DO NOT wish to "modify" pieces of your rearend, then I would NOT go with the TrueFlex-If I would ever put it back to "Original", it cost me a bundle to put back together RIGHT from what I've done.
