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Topic: Resto Advice? Rubber Bumpers

in Forum: C3 Body


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Resto Advice? Rubber Bumpers (1/3)
 3/10/13 3:17pm
DavefromarizonaLifetime Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray Nomad Wagon, with Daytona front, custom hood scoop, dual side vents; 420HP 350; Doug Nash 5 speed; 1980 rear end W/4:11 gears; Cherry Red metallic paint.


Joined: 3/13/2004
Posts: 535

Hi everybody!  Sorry for not posting for a while, just have been too busy at work to play with my toys.   Things have changed now, so since I have the time to work on them, yahoo!  I have noticed that on my yellow one, I need to replace both my bumper covers. 
   This Vette is stock, as it came out of the factory.  I would never say survivor or restored or anything, but just an unmolestedted example of what it looked like back then, and I want to keep it that way.
  So, since I am fixing it, i want to do it right, rather than redo it if i ever want to restore it in the future.   My question is, What do I look for in a replacement bumper? Is there anything I need to avoid?  Also, even though I am not painting it myself (not that foolish Embarrassed ), is replacing the bumper covers something that an average joe can do, or should I pay for the painter to do it when it gets painted (2-3 years)?
   Thanks in advance! dave.


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Re: Resto Advice? Rubber Bumpers (2/3)
 3/11/13 12:39pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

You can still get OE urethane front bumper covers, but the rear covers are only available as solid fiberglass, or one of the flexible 'glass styles. Tru-Flex seems to be the brand most folks are the happiest with.
If you go with the urethane front cover, it should be painted separately from the rest of the car, as it needs a special flex agent in the paint to help keep the paint from cracking as it flexes.
If you go with the Tru-Flex, or some other 'glass covers, you'll need to mount them on the car before paint, as 99% of them will need some kind of body work/massaging to fit correctly.
When I did the '74, I got a GM original urethane front cover, but had to settle for a solid 'glass rear cover. There was no such thing as Tru-Flex at the time, so the rear cover and body needed quite a bit of work to get it fitted properly. The front, urethane cover fits just as it did from the factory....not very well at all. LOL

The biggest problem you'll run into if you do these yourself is that the fasteners for the covers will most likely twist off when you try to remove them, meaning you'll prolly also need to buy new retainers for the covers. These are available at most of the aftermarket suppliers, and are usually stainless steel, so they won't tend to rust as the originals did.
Replacing the covers is time consuming, but not too terribly difficult.


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Re: Resto Advice? Rubber Bumpers (3/3)
 3/16/13 12:10am
DavefromarizonaLifetime Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray Nomad Wagon, with Daytona front, custom hood scoop, dual side vents; 420HP 350; Doug Nash 5 speed; 1980 rear end W/4:11 gears; Cherry Red metallic paint.


Joined: 3/13/2004
Posts: 535

Much appericate the help, guess Im gonna have to go with what is available, at least i can get the front end as original.  Sure appericate the advice on the paint for the flexi, now I know what to do once that bridge is being crossed. Thanks! d.

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