Topic: Front nose
in Forum: C3 Body
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Well I went out to clean up my 73 this morning after the long trip back from Bowling Green, Ky and found two large cracks in the nose. There always were some small spider cracks there when I bought the car but now the are full blown cracks so I will need to replace it. Always something to do.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Welcome to the world of soft nose Corvettes!
I just check on the web with Mid America and found that a GM bumper is $700. Corvette Central list a Trueflex for $350. So whats the difference? I thought about looking for used but that doesn't make a lot of since. I am not agaist spending money but I don't like throwing it away either.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
Lifetime MemberModerator
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
I put a NOS front cover on my '74 when I restored it, in '97. Even with it hibernating in the garage all year, it has started to become wavy, and there are a couple of small cracks in the paint right on the tip of the nose. That sux... 
The difference in the "trueflex" is the resin used. True-Flex is fiberglass with a flexible resin, so it's not rigid like regular 'glass. It is easier to move around while trying to get it lined up with the body, compared to grinding/filling a 'glass bumper cover. If you push in on a true-flex bumper, it will deform a bit, unlike the hard 'glass cover.
I'll be going the true-flex route next time on mine...mainly because no-one makes correct repro rears for a 74. Whatever type you get, be sure to make them verify it is a '73-'74 bumper cover. '75 & up are way different.
The difference in the "trueflex" is the resin used. True-Flex is fiberglass with a flexible resin, so it's not rigid like regular 'glass. It is easier to move around while trying to get it lined up with the body, compared to grinding/filling a 'glass bumper cover. If you push in on a true-flex bumper, it will deform a bit, unlike the hard 'glass cover.
I'll be going the true-flex route next time on mine...mainly because no-one makes correct repro rears for a 74. Whatever type you get, be sure to make them verify it is a '73-'74 bumper cover. '75 & up are way different.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Not sure how far you are from Sylvania, OH - but you may want to check with these guys. http://www.acivette.com/
I believe they are the source for most the fiberglass parts available through the various vendors.
Good Luck
I've got a question about the tru-flex. Does that warp & crack after time? How long do they last before going bad. Dont want to be changing & painting every second year. The car will be in unheated garage / cold climate in winter
Next, I've seen ecklers and willcox and aci products, some are white color and some are black (for tru-flex). Seems like they might have different compounds / materials, anyone have any info on this,,, which ones better?
[QUOTE=Willis76]Not sure how far you are from Sylvania, OH - but you may want to check with these guys. http://www.acivette.com/
[/QUOTE]
I believe they are the source for most the fiberglass parts available through the various vendors.
Good Luck
There are not to far, about an hours drive. They said they have regular fiberglass as well as the trueflex, they are $325 and $335.
Atleast I could pic them up and not have to pay shipping. I have to check with a couple of places around here first.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
Lifetime MemberModerator
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
[QUOTE=huk_finn] I've got a question about the tru-flex. Does that warp & crack after time? How long do they last before going bad. Dont want to be changing & painting every second year. The car will be in unheated garage / cold climate in winter[/QUOTE]
The "True-Flex" is actually fiberglass, just with a flexible resin. They will not warp/crack like the urethane covers. They will, however, crack if you hit them with something, say a telephone pole, or the front wall of your garage?
It is the best of both worlds, really. The flexibility of the urethane, with the sturdiness of 'glass.
Just to be clear, tho, the true-flex is NOT as pliable as the urethane.
The "True-Flex" is actually fiberglass, just with a flexible resin. They will not warp/crack like the urethane covers. They will, however, crack if you hit them with something, say a telephone pole, or the front wall of your garage?
It is the best of both worlds, really. The flexibility of the urethane, with the sturdiness of 'glass.
Just to be clear, tho, the true-flex is NOT as pliable as the urethane.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
What if you acidently hit a dog? Will it dent in and crack the paint?
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5189
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
If'n ya hit a dog ya call the Micki Hotline number...
Tux has the ACI fiberglass nose. Wouldn't trade it fer the other stuff.
Its final unless I hit somethin (like a dog) DUH...
Tux has the ACI fiberglass nose. Wouldn't trade it fer the other stuff.
Its final unless I hit somethin (like a dog) DUH...
in Forum: C3 Body
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