This from Dr Rebuild web site and explains why bumbers don't fit. The Doc has some good info. http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/tip17.html

 

Just what everyone who's ever done any body repair on these C3's has know for years. They were not precision made so therefore any "new" parts that we try to fit are going to need anywhere from "a little work" to "a lot of work" to get the lines to look correct. Guess that's why body shops LOVE to have Corvette guys bring in a car for panel replacements..... All those labor hours!

The peak line running down the side of the rear fenders matching up with the new bumper cover was my main concern and the Eckler's product was a closer fit than the Corvette Central product.

Also note that I said I did not have to use a sawzall on the bumper absorber bar as Paul B. had to. BUT - I also realigned (shimmed) the bumper absorber bar according to GM specs BEFORE trying to fit the bumper cover.

If I had to do it over again on any other car I would spend the extra money and go with the Eckler's product (mfg by ACI or AGI ?????). BTW: I originally had a Corvette Central cover and talked my 74 buddy into getting the Eckler's cover with the stipulation that I would do a little more work for him if the Eckler's was a better fit for my car and made no difference on his car.

From doing some research in the Archives, and on the NCRS site, it would seem that EVERYONE has BIG problems with the front covers out of the box no matter what the year or from whom they buy from. Guess that will be the next round of posts as these early bumper covers are beginning to fall off everyone's car now.