Guys I love the front end also. I was involved in the Kit Car world for a while and we did all kinds of stuff custom. We are talking a fully flaired Miata for SEMA once even. All you need is a fiberglass front end and modify it. Then pull a mold off of it. This is more like $2000-$3000 max for just a front end. $50,000 to work it all up??? That is just a smart business man not wanting to make parts for a 12 year old car. I still have friends in the biz and could get a mold made for the cost of 1-2 front ends.

Not only does it look better but think of the extra cooling and real brake ducts. If there is truly enough interest I will make a call and begin the process. I am only talking the nose here guys. I dont really want the rest of it.

 

I'm in Kentucky.

 

Well if you read from page 1 you will see LOTS of folks that want the bumper on the silver car shown on the first page. If that was available stateside there is no question they could sell em' like crazy.

 

umm...ok well the reason why I am doing all these work is because I want the Vette enthusiasts in the states to have the BSM bumper as well and some guys are willing to help others by receiving the bumper etc...not trying to produce knock-offs and make cash out of other members...

 

ok I'll ask them

 

Yeah I think you are right.

I just emailed Toledo Pro a link to this thread to see if they would have interest in buying a copy of the mold plug - I'll post back here if I hear anything back (I don't really expect to but figured it's worth a shot).

 

I am interested in the whole kit if it is reasonable (less hood). I don't know about all the shipping hassle and costs though, plus I would only do it on credit card. I was interested in this kit when it first showed up several months back and had some interest from others, but not near as much as this thread.

 

I think we should stick to the original plan, it's a good plan.......everyone wants to go to the party, no one wants to stay and clean up.

 

LOL

Yeah I'm just waiting to see if Toledo Pro responds to my email. I don't expect they will.

I'll be back home next week (traveling right now) and if I haven't heard anything from Toledo Pro by then I'll probably have Timpo help me get the front bumper ordered.

Also I'm waiting on Timpo to get me shipping costs too my state - hopefully it's not too bad . . . . cross your fingers.

 

RUKWKR,
I spoke w/ Linda the other day at Toledo Pro and emailed her this thread. She is looking into it......

 

Let's all call/send emails and completely bug them to death.

 

yeah that's what I think and that is why I was helping you guys too, I mean I want you guys to get the bumper as much as you do, but...

I'm not trying to act like rude or jerk or anything, but if Toledo Pro wants to produce knock-offs or get an official license from BSM, I don't think I would help them for free...or they would have to fly to Japan or hire a business translator(because they don't speak English at all) and do the business by themselves. Plus, things will get a lot more complicated this way(in my opinion anyways).

The reason why I called BSM and convinced them to export their kit to the states(even tho they have never done their business internationally) and discussed about possible group-buy discount is because I thought it would be really nice if you guys could buy the kit directly from the manufacture, rather than finding a dealer/distributor in the states and pay extra margin. I was trying to do these things by goodwill, not making money. (although I agree that people who will be receiving the kit and sending them out should receive "slight " charge for their time and hassle)

I don't mind helping RUKWKR at all since it will be beneficial for other members to see the review of the bumper and see what it's like, but I still think we should stick to the original plan. The Vette enthusiasts in Japan are doing the same thing by buying genuine Greenwood and Eckler's kit anyways.

 

RUKWKR,

BSM told me that they're trying to figure out about the shipping cost to where you live. I'll let you know once they get back to me.

 

Timpo - believe me I think everyone here appreciates your efforts. I know I do. And I look forward to hearing shipping costs from you. Also I don't believe we are trying to "go around" you or anything like that.

But also I don't think anyone is saying they want to rip off BSM in Japan, I'm sure if Toledo Pro does it that it would be completely legit and they would purchase whatever rights, etc. they needed to. I also think it makes perfect sense to at least bring this to the attention of someone here in the states IF someone is interested.

Who knows? Toledo Pro might come back tomorrow, say they are interested, and buy a mold next week directly from BSM. Now, I seriously doubt that will happen, but I don't see the harm? Toledo Pro is a well respected vendor here in the US and I doubt they would want to have a rep for producing knock-offs. I don't see how it would be MORE complicated if Toledo Pro was producing these kits with BSM permission, etc. here stateside?

Frankly, from what I know, they are probably the ONLY vendor here in the states that could do this or would even have interest. Greenwood already has body kits, no one else really has a true body kit. Toledo Pro is famous for their hoods so I think a bumper would be a logical next step. But I suspect you are right - once they evaluate the complexities they'll probably say "no thanks" due to language barriers, etc etc

I think it would be nice to at least hear what they have to say and gauge their interest.

That being said, I'm pretty sure I'll be giving you a call next week.

 

Hmmm ok sorry for my ignorance, I didn't know that Toledo Pro was a legitimate company. KnightSport(RX-7 tuner in Japan) told me that their RX-7 kit got ripped off by WingsWest. It was supposed to be an agreement between 2 companies to use KnightSport's moldings but WingWest broke their agreements, started selling knock-offs, etc...oh well they already had reputation of copying VeilSide and stuff..

but yeah, anyways...

RUKWKR right, it might make sense if Toledo Pro could purchase the right from BSM and it'll be easier for the US buyers.
I think the process would be hassle tho, since those companies are in other side of earth and speak different languages.

ok well BSM is working on figuring out the shipping cost right now so I'll let you know when they get back to me

 

Yeah there ARE a lot of people doing bodykit stuff for Japanese cars. They are all over, just not much for Corvettes. But I think the few Corvette companies out there are pretty much reputable and Toledo Pro seems to have a good rep here on the forum.

Just PM me with the shipping details when you get em' and THANKS for all the work!

 

Most Fiberlglass bumpers or SMC bumpers will need to be custom fit to each Vette. I was at a Vette only body/paint shop in my area and all of the SMC bumpers that they install from Ecklers and such vendors need some sanding and trimming to get it to fit properly. If the bumper is good quality it will still require a good installer to get the gaps and lines to match up to your Vette. I saw them installing a SMC version of the OEM style late model front. Some people opt for the SMC front because it doesn't warp over time or develope "waves". With a good SMC front it is up to the patience and craftwork of the installer to get it to look perfect, even a good bumper will look crappy if the installer doesn't know what he is doing. It will NOT be a bolt it up and paint. Like I said I saw a local shop doing one that was the OEM shape, and I saw how much fine sanding and trial fits he did to get it to look right. Too much sanding and the gaps will look like crap. From the pics in this thread, it looks like the kit is well made, and the installers did a good job. Keep in mind that these SMC fronts are not soft like the polyeurathane "rubber" OEM pieces. You bump something, and they will crack. The lower front of the pieces in this thread mosy probably willl hit parking curbs and steep driveways as they appear to be as low as the OEM air dam. Have you seen the lower black OEM air damn of some C4's out there..all mangled, think of what would happen to this piece. All that being said...I think this is the nicest body kit I have ever seen for the C4 and I would love to do the whole kit on mine.

 

This also goes with original GM parts. No Vette is the same and its always a great pain to fit a new bumper, door, hood etc. to a Vette. All parts are always a small bit different size and shape and will need fitting.

 

SMC? Sheet Molding Compound, correct? Does that type of bumper only come from the aftermarket companies? What exactly is it made from? I removed one of the rubber type off my girls Chrysler Sebring convertible a few weeks ago. The front nose was pushed in from a curve or two. I heated it a bit and managed to correct the form with some wood blocks and c-clamps. I was surprised it didn't crack. It bends rather easy when heated. It was a pain in the azz to line back up on the car. Once it is removed or twisted it is hard to get it straight again. It was nice to be able to repair it though. I'm guessing an SMC bumper would have been no good. I've been wanting to remove the stock front bump on my 95 vette to polish out the fog light plastic lenses and remove the haze. Anyone know how hard it would be to remove and realign when reinstalling on the vette?

 

Even though I helped get this thread started I am going to have to pull out of the group buy because after doing a good amount of research I am going to inadvertently destroy this front end. Especially for those of us with lowered cars or track cars or any car that sees lots of Daily driver use these front ends are going to be torn up. And I don't care about tearing up a front end if it costs 500 bucks but not when I have to keep replacing my front end at 1500 bucks a pop from Japan!!! By the way I still think this front end rocks but it also appears to turn our cars into front breathers instead of bottom breathers and i'm not so sure thats a really hot idea. I hope you all have good luck with getting these front ends and if you need any help in Southern California let me know!