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Topic: 75 front bumper fit 76

in Forum: C3 Body

75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/14/10 5:32pm Message 1 of 10
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Minnetrista, MN - USA
Joined: 7/10/2010
Posts: 8
Vette(s): 1976 stock, 4 speed manual
Ladies & Gentlemen, I see the following for sale and need a new front bumper on my 76.
 
"Urethane cover in good condtion. No cracks. I believe this is correct for 75-79" - $100
 
 
Is this a decent deal or should I stick with fiberglass or Tru-Flex, I hear from your posts that the Tru-flex can be a real pain.
 
Thanks



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75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/14/10 6:31pm Message 2 of 10
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Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65
Vette(s): 1974 coupe. 350 CID with Turbo 400 trans. Decal says 8.5:1 compression. Needs paint and AC replaced but don't plan on full restoration. Car runs strong. No big problems so far. 67,000 miles on Odometer, probably rolled over
I don't know about the truflex but I have a fiberglass front cover and it is so thin I am afraid to touch it. I already put a crack it it, dead center. I was going to replace it with a truflex but can't justify the expense so I was going to remove it and repair it. Lo and behold whoever installed it glued it on. I can't get it off so I'll have to repair and paint it in place. I am going to try to laminate more glass on the back to see if it will be a bit stronger.
I read the newer Urethane covers hold there shape better than the originals.



It has been over a year since I started. I had to quit the project so the car just sat in the garage. I was able to get started again in May 2012. As of July 27 2012 I have done the fiberglass repairs and applied Slick Sand High Build Primer.




http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg

75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/14/10 7:25pm Message 3 of 10
Former Member
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Minnetrista, MN - USA
Joined: 7/10/2010
Posts: 8
Vette(s): 1976 stock, 4 speed manual
Thank you, I'm hoping to hear a bit more about the options.... just torn between this original piece for $100 or going to the aftermarket (TruFlex or Fiber).  I want it to fit right and not be "fragile".
 
Thanks again for replying!



75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/14/10 9:01pm Message 4 of 10
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
Nothing is going to bolt right on a fit perfectly. They all require some tweaking. Good luck.
 
Scott



75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/15/10 9:46am Message 5 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
My opinion is to not go with something that is supposedly an "original" urethane cover. IF it is original, chances are it will crack as soon as you install it. Unless you are going for an NCRS/Bloomington award, go with the Tru-Flex.


Joel Adams
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75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/15/10 10:16am Message 6 of 10
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Minnetrista, MN - USA
Joined: 7/10/2010
Posts: 8
Vette(s): 1976 stock, 4 speed manual
thank you, that's what I wondered - original or not.  I'll go with the TruFlex and "flex" it into position. Tongue


75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/15/10 1:21pm Message 7 of 10
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edgwood, MD - USA
Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736
Vette(s): 1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.
When I replaced mine I wemt with Ture Flex.And I'm happy with how it turned out.
                          Rick


75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/15/10 4:02pm Message 8 of 10
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
I know what Joel and some of the others have to say about the composite bumpers. And, I respect there opinions but have a different opinion.

I wouldn't trade my fiberglass for one ever. All of the composite bumpers made will need replaced at some time. And..... they are not repairable.

Lemmee see now .... my car is fiberglass why wouldn't I want a fiberglass bumper?

Mine is from ACI and is far from thin or flimsy. I doubt that I will ever run into anything. It is possible that someone could back into it when it is parked way out in the South Forty of any lot.

Or another plastic car might whack it one at a show.

But I doubt it!

I can repair it unlike my former urethane bumpers. (Did I mention that?) LOL.

Oh yeah, and I glassed mine in so there are no seams. (Something the General couldn't do with the urethane impact resistant bumpers.)

I guess that kinda shows my lack of fear for any impact.


75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/15/10 6:06pm Message 9 of 10
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Former Member
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Joined: 7/3/2010
Posts: 65
Vette(s): 1974 coupe. 350 CID with Turbo 400 trans. Decal says 8.5:1 compression. Needs paint and AC replaced but don't plan on full restoration. Car runs strong. No big problems so far. 67,000 miles on Odometer, probably rolled over
Not meaning to hijack this thread.
You might consider this option too.
I like the idea of glassing in the front. Mine is already bonded on and I won't be able to get it off anyway. I don't know where mine was bought but the upper portion is very thin. You can see the crack in it in this picture. I did this myself in my garage. The car was barely moving. It didn't take much of a bump to do this. When I fix it I am going to laminate several layers of class on the back of it. I would also rather have this than the tru-flex. That seam is so tight I can't get a razor blade in there.

BillinNashville2010-07-16 10:07:38


It has been over a year since I started. I had to quit the project so the car just sat in the garage. I was able to get started again in May 2012. As of July 27 2012 I have done the fiberglass repairs and applied Slick Sand High Build Primer.




http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg

75 front bumper fit 76

Posted: 7/21/10 9:51am Message 10 of 10
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
We sell twenty Tru-Flex for every one fiberglass or urethane.  On the other hand, if cash is short, $100.00 is pretty cheap if it is in decent condition, and not a 35 year old original.

I try to stick to chrome bumper cars, which avoids the whole question.

Larry



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