Kev......get some sleep tonight.....who stole your bone???

Why stop with just the front bumper?  Why not replace the whole front clip with one from an '80-'82?  That may be easier than trying to integrate the front bumper.  Then you could go to the next level of making it tilt up like a C4 for easier access to the engine bay.  The sky is the limit...!!!

I have always liked the look of the 80-82 Vettes and it sucks they didn't make any verts. I would make sure all of the suspension and drive line are 100% first, but then go for it, make it your own.

Why not take the bonus money and buy an 80?
Instead of hacking and cutting up a 74 to look like an 80?

Then you would have 2 Vettes!

Just asking....

[QUOTE=Willis76]I have always liked the look of the 80-82 Vettes and it sucks they didn't make any verts. I would make sure all of the suspension and drive line are 100% first, but then go for it, make it your own. [/QUOTE]

LOL.... Brother Marshall ya know whut I am gonna say dont'cha?

Go fiberglass..... go with want ya want..... glass it in....

I did mine and have never had any regrets. I agree with choosing ACI glass products. They have a direct fit for your car. My front is ACI and it fit very nicely. It is something you can prefit and hang prior to the body shop (if you have time) and save a few bucks.

Once you decide I'll help you as we talked find a shop to paint it.

EBO is correcto-mundo about silver and the match work. Alot will depend on the paint that is on your car. (type, age, availablity)

But if you have the time and $$$ anything is possible.

By the way..... whut is it your are getting Candy?    

Dennis, thanks for the tip on ACI.  I went to their site and saw some interesting things - I'll try to give them a call.

John and Jim - the bonus (essentially) was for 'employee of the year' not "Employee of the decade" so while it was nice, not enough to cover a new car.  Jim, it would allow me to get a one piece front end (and perhaps even a stinger hood), but it might not leave much for the ensuing body work and paint.

I agree on the color problem, seem many of them that have needed lots a TLC. Do not forget the two piece rear bumper is a "ONE OF" so keeping it might be a determining factor. If mama says it is OK, go for the entire car if you want a up-grade. Then you can take two to the get togethers! After all this is AMERICA, build it like you want it.  Lots of them have hidden things changed and think nothing of it. Why not change the cosmetics?  I say GO FOR IT.

There are "bolt on" pseudo bumper covers for the earlier rubber bumper cars, to make them look like the '80-'82 cars. You WILL have to remove the steel front bumper tho...at least the one's that I have done this on required it to be removed. That leaves you with NO protection in the front.
The rear covers have also required some "modifications" to the rear aluminuminum bumper, and supports, but you don't have to completely remove it.

I hate to see ya do this to a low mileage car, but...it IS your car, and you can do what ya want, and...it CAN be returned to "original" if you stay with the bolt on stuff, and don't glass it in...
You did ax for opinions...

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]

I hate to see ya do this to a low mileage car, but...it IS your car, and you can do what ya want, and...it CAN be returned to "original" if you stay with the bolt on stuff, and don't glass it in...
You did ax for opinions...

[/QUOTE]

I'm, and this is my personal opinion, with Joel on this one. On one side of it i look at the small amount of '74 verts made and wonder how many are left in any degree of original condition. I've seen your car, Marshall, and it is a very nice ride. On the other side of it you look at some of them sweet big buck C2 restomods at shows and you just stand there and drool.  I think if there were no mods at car shows it might get boring after a while.
But, you own it so it's all your call.
If you're going to buy parts, glass them in, and paint the entire car, I would think that kind of money would go a long ways towards finding a nice '80-82 in todays market.
And if you don't have room in the garage for another Vette the wifes car can sit outside.
Jeffm2010-04-12 17:03:11