Topic: Rear bumper cover replacement
in Forum: C3 Body
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Unfortunately, my 82CE lost the battle with a mailbox this week and I need to replace the rear bumper cover (fascia). I have researched and found that there are urethane and "fiberglass" version available at most part sources. I was wondering if anyone has had any good or bad experiences and advice for installing either type. I also need to know what color the rear light indentions are painted as mine appears to be a dark brownish/black metallic color. I have the silver-beige paint code already.
jd
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Former Member
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
Jeff, good to see you posting; its been a while. Im not going to be much help to you but will be watching this post as I plan to replace both my rear and front bumper covers within the next year and am undecided on which route to take.
Former Member
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New Albany, OH - USA
Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 Coupe /
Snowcrest White /
L48, 350 /
Comp Cam /
Edelbrock Heads /
Cyclone Intake /
Holley Carb /
Holley Fuel Pump /
Patriot Headers /
Dual Exhaust /
Magnaflow Mufflers /
1964 Coupe /
Riverside Red /
L76, 327, 365hp
I know this is not an answer to your question but I have always like the chrome bumper C3's and wondered if there was a way to convert my '80. I found this website where they claim to be able to convert (at least) the rear. Anyone know if this is possible without major "plastic surgery"?
Chuck
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
My CE was repainted before I got it. But I know a guy and will contact him to see if he knows.
Thanks Gilbert, let me know if you find out anything. They guy that repainted my car before I bought it has passed away so I cannot find out what he used. I know the type of paint and color used for the body but not the light holes.
Chip - I was headed to Stanley Friday night and decided to drive the car to work that morning. Never made it out of the driveway as the car popped out of park and rolled down and hit the neighbors mailbox. Needless to say, that ruined the rest of my day.....
Hey JD,
Sorry to hear about the rear bumper on the CE. According to my NCRS Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide for 1980-82 Corvettes, the current Dupont code for the Dark Bronze (Brown) paint in the tail light recesses is (D-8262). Hope this helps. Good luck with the fix.
Take care and remember, "IWAVE2"
Jon
1975 CORVETTE (IWAVE2)
1971 CORVETTE (BLU BYU)
1982 COLLECTOR EDITION CORVETTE (COOL CE)
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Kind of got the same information. Below is what I got from a reliable source that I have complete trust in when it come to CE's or Crossfire cars.
"The tail light wells were brown. There were some cars that did not have the brown taillight wells, so there is some inconsistency that I have never heard an explanation for. Since the cars came from the factory with both brown and no-brown, I suppose either would be considered 'correct', but the best place to find that info would be an NCRS judging guide."
Buy the way this guy Steve is the only person I know of that make hinges for our CE back windows. (how did he get started doing that simple it was his wife's car. Happy wife happy life as all married men know.
So those of us that have stuck windows (everyone that I know of) can get that repaired for good. Let me know if you are interested and I will connect you up. He also does the rear window struts at one time got a good set from him once.
Urethane is what the car came with, it's flexable and can take a small bump with out damage. The fiberglass bumper is not flexable, any bump will crack it. The advantage of the fiberglass is the finish, more of a show quality, part does not warp over time from the heat like the urethane does. If you go with urethane make sure the paint has the flex agent in it so it will not crack if the bumper takes a hit. My car was repainted before I got it and the same paint was used for the whole car and now the front and rear bumpers are full of cracks in the paint.
Going with fiber glass also gives you the option to fill in the split line between body & bumper for the one piece look.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
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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
When I bought my 74 it already had the fiberglass front and rear bumper covers. I cracked the front and someone else cracked the rear.
I am in the process of painting the car now.
The good thing about the fiberglass is it can be fixed. I did it myself and it turned out fine.
The bad thing is I hope it doesn't happen again. But if it does I know I can fix it.
I don't much care for the waviness of the Urethane covers.
The Truflex are supposed to be a good alternative. Smooth yet have the ability to take a small bump. If they get cracked it looks like the repair is the same as with regular fiberglass.
I have looked at the Chrome conversion. I am considering it at some time in the future. My 74 has the same rear window configuration as the 73 so it would be a good conversion.
And since my Corvette is not all original anyway I don't think it would matter much.
Good luck with your repair. Let us know what you decide.
I am in the process of painting the car now.
The good thing about the fiberglass is it can be fixed. I did it myself and it turned out fine.
The bad thing is I hope it doesn't happen again. But if it does I know I can fix it.
I don't much care for the waviness of the Urethane covers.
The Truflex are supposed to be a good alternative. Smooth yet have the ability to take a small bump. If they get cracked it looks like the repair is the same as with regular fiberglass.
I have looked at the Chrome conversion. I am considering it at some time in the future. My 74 has the same rear window configuration as the 73 so it would be a good conversion.
And since my Corvette is not all original anyway I don't think it would matter much.
Good luck with your repair. Let us know what you decide.
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
http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/14401_14500/14470/Doors-off-(Copy)201261111476r.jpg
Make sure it fits before it is painted. Paint it off of the car. Be VERY careful and use much patience when installing it. Start tightening the bolts from the center and then work to each side. Make sure all of the bolts are in before tightening the first one. Stop the second you get frustrated or mad or you will wreck something. Have band aids available and wear long sleeves. You will get bloody unless you have very skinny arms.
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in Forum: C3 Body
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