1975 bumpers

[Don H.]

A friend is replacing the bumpers on a 1975 and needs some advice. He has found there are 3 or 4 materials, what is the best? He said the options are: flexible fiberglass, rigid fiberglass, urethane, or hand-laid. Any opinions? Thanks, Don H.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1975 bumpers

Urethane is the best if you are going for originality. Next option would be flexible fiberglass

[Don G.]

Re: 1975 bumpers

I agree with Russ . The most correct replacement is the one with original urethane material. The only deviation from original is that there are no indentations for the C O R V E T T E letters because these were removed from the die to accommodate the change for the 1976 model. However, the deduct for this should be less than the deducts for flex fiberglass for wrong material, difference in appearance and hardware differences for mounting the tail lights. You can use your old bumper for a template to get the location and spacing right for mounting the letters.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1975 bumpers

I agree with Russ . The most correct replacement is the one with original urethane material. The only deviation from original is that there are no indentations for the C O R V E T T E letters because these were removed from the die to accommodate the change for the 1976 model. However, the deduct for this should be less than the deducts for flex fiberglass for wrong material, difference in appearance and hardware differences for mounting the tail lights. You can use your old bumper for a template to get the location and spacing right for mounting the letters.

Don-----

The last rear bumper cover for 1975-79 Corvettes (i.e. the one without the recesses for the letters) was GM #380000. It was discontinued without supercession in March, 1997. I would expect the well to be pretty much dry by now. Even if one were found, I'd look it over pretty carefully because it's likely 20+ years old.

[Rich C.]

Re: 1975 bumpers

I've been VERY pleased with my Tru-flex front bumper on my '73! It has just enough flex to simulate urethane. Sure, it's not silly putty flexible, but unless you really pushed on it, I guess you'd feel a difference. Mine has been on for probably 7 years and still looks great, and the paint match is awesome. A whole lot less expensive to boot. Judges shouldn't be 'pushing' on it anyway (or do they?).


1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE coupe
Victory Hop Devil Ale-currently on tap!

[Don G.]

Re: 1975 bumpers

Eckler's is manufacturing the urethane rear bumper for 1975-79 Corvettes using the original GM tooling. Their part number is 11009. As mentioned earlier, the tooling was modified by GM to eliminate the indentations for letters and emblems to accommodate later models but appears to be original in all other aspects. Their current catalog shows a price of $599.99 plus shipping. I believe this to be the most correct part available. However, if originality is not a priority, lower costs options are available that also may be more appealing from an appearance standpoint.