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Bumper Upgrade - Yes/No?

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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 02:14 PM
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Default Bumper Upgrade - Yes/No?

I am considering a bumper upgrade for my '86. I like the look of the ZR1 style Rear Bumper but do not care for the updated Front Bumper look. I really like the aggressive C3 style front end. My question is - do you folks think upgrading bumpers increases value or not? If I do an upgrade, it would be the rear only.

I like that early ZR1 look.

Last edited by All2kool; Aug 4, 2007 at 08:04 PM.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 02:56 PM
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Do it because you like it, not because it will increase value. It won't happen, its still an 86 coupe.


Guys spend big bucks RESTORING classics and creating high dollar street rods, only to have them sell for what, 50% of their investment?
Labor of love, pure and simple.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 03:08 PM
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Perhaps I should have been a little more clear - I could care less whether it increases the value or not, I'm just curious what others think.

'It's still an 86 coupe'? A guy driving a C5 offered me $12,000 for it just 8 days ago.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 03:17 PM
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Because it is a bolt on mod, I don't think it will affect value one way or the other. Most people will not even pick up on the mod because it is subtle. I say go for it if you like it. I have seen many with the bumper you describe, and it looks great.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Pete K
Because it is a bolt on mod, I don't think it will affect value one way or the other. Most people will not even pick up on the mod because it is subtle. I say go for it if you like it. I have seen many with the bumper you describe, and it looks great.
Yeah, the car is a hobby, right? Just DON'T put spoilers and ground effects and junk on it, hah. Upgrade/Update mods done tastefully are cool. This may be a little "deep", but I try to think of it like this: Will this mod be respectful to Corvette name? Is it going to violate the majesty of what it already is? That's some goofy f'd up B.S. ain't it? Hah.

DD
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by All2kool
'It's still an 86 coupe'? A guy driving a C5 offered me $12,000 for it just 8 days ago.


Forget the bumper thing. Call the guy back and tell him you'll take it!
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 04:08 PM
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Set the drag real loose on that one, you don't want to lose it! I prefer the 91 up style bumper myself. Avg. value 86, no difference, $12k one , yeah it will hurt the value.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by xccter
Forget the bumper thing. Call the guy back and tell him you'll take it!
I have no desire to part with the car, hence I did not accept his offer. If I was to ever part with the C4, it would be for a C5.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 04:47 PM
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If I had to swap bumpers again, I would just purchase a 91-96.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by xccter
Forget the bumper thing. Call the guy back and tell him you'll take it!

GIVE HIM MY NUMBER !!!!!!!!
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 06:58 PM
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As for the rear it worked for me -- ( my 84 ) ---

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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by RICEKILA
As for the rear it worked for me -- ( my 84 ) ---

Did you upgrade the front as well? Where did you get your rear bumper? Do they have them WITH the word 'Corvette' in the bumper?
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by RRT vette
If I had to swap bumpers, I would just purchase a 91-96.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 07:48 PM
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There's a guy on Phoenix craigslist with an 84 "turned into" a "C5" as he says, and I've watched his price go from pretty far up there to completely desparate within about a month or so. He would have been muuuuuuch better off if he had never ever messed with his Frankenstein. Your idea however is well within the realm of tasteful, but I will have to agree with the previous response that most likely it will hurt the car's resale value, no matter how well it is done. I once saw a guy who had modified a '72 bumber Vette with '77 front and rear clips. There's a guy who will go down in the "What was I thinking?" Hall of Fame.

DD
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by DisasterDave
There's a guy on Phoenix craigslist with an 84 "turned into" a "C5" as he says, and I've watched his price go from pretty far up there to completely desparate within about a month or so.
Are you talking about that blue POS for sale on EBay?
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 09:48 PM
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I bought my 86 with an updated rear bumper. I went back to the original style as soon as I could. I like the original look and I was always explaining to people why it really didn't look like an 86. It looked good, just not for me.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by All2kool
I am considering a bumper upgrade for my '86. I like the look of the ZR1 style Rear Bumper but do not care for the updated Front Bumper look. My question is - do you folks think upgrading bumpers increases value or not? If I do an upgrade, it would be the rear only.
I'm curious why you would consider the newer style an upgrade. Update, ok, I get that. As far as value increases, nah. I'm partial to the round tail lights anyway.
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To Bumper Upgrade - Yes/No?

Old Aug 1, 2007 | 10:07 PM
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Here is a pic of my 86 that I swapped bumpers on about 7 years ago. It was a pain in the booty.

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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by All2kool
Perhaps I should have been a little more clear - I could care less whether it increases the value or not, I'm just curious what others think.

'It's still an 86 coupe'? A guy driving a C5 offered me $12,000 for it just 8 days ago.
$12,000 I would have taken his money and found myself another.
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Old Aug 1, 2007 | 10:57 PM
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12 large, he would have paid about 40% more than your '86 is worth, SELL IT TO HIM NOW, THAT C5 OWNER IS CLUELESS!! with 12k you will make a fat profit and buy yourself another 70hp for free in a later C4.

as for the rear bumper, you say ZR1 style, would that include a ZR1 emblem? i surely hope not. that would be posing to the point of blasphemy.
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