C2 Bumpers

[Jim S.]

I am toying with the idea of replacing my bumpers. The reasons are two are somewhat tweaked, and one is somewhat scratched !
They looked fine to me when I removed them , but back then I never envisioned how nicely the restoration would turn out !!

My solutions are numerous . (A) replace them all. (B) replace 1 or 2 and keep the rest .(C) Send out the two for some hammering and replating. Etc. etc. etc.

So my questions are these :

Who makes the best repros? I noticed that CC has both foreign and domestic, but that could just mean bad and not as bad

Has anyone ever mixed and matched, old and new , and how did it work out ?

Has anyone ever had one hammered out and replated for less than a new one ?

Thanks,

Jim

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

Get a quote from a reputable plater. Plating isn't cheap. The original production bumpers are a little "wavy" to begin with. The plater can remove scratches and pitting as well as straightening and they'll probably look better than in 1966, so you can't mix without obvious differences.

[Howard W.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

Jim
if the fit on the current bumpers are good then go with the replating, fit is generally an issue with replacement bumpers, be they reproductions or from another car. There is not that much of a difference in cost, unless you happen to get a great deal on replacements

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

jim

my original 67 bumpers were exhaust burned and one front bumper had a shifted mounting bracket. I had them repaired and replated along with the center bar for $1200. I was happy with the job. So I would go with replating.

Bill

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

I believe that Paragon has the US made bumpers manufactured. I had one front that came on my 67 when I bought it. Very good quality but it did not fit well. I managed to find a NOS to replace it.

In trying to get the Paragon one to fit better, we saw that the inside end bracket, the one that bolts to the bracket under the center of the car, was welded out away from the bumper more than the original GM bumper. It was enough that I could not get the left and right bumper centers to align with each other correctly

[Ara G.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

and there is more than one way (in addition to what Steve outlined) that originals differ from reproductions so if judging is even possibly in your future, I would repair and replate. Always save an original part if possible. Ara

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

As always, good input and advice from all .
My course sounds clear .

Thank you Gentleman !

Jim

[Doug L.]

Re: C2 Bumpers

Re: Ara's comment about judging, I had the bumpers that were on my car at purchase re-plated. When the car was judged I lost points for the front bumpers. It seems that the tips near the front wheel wells came to a point on originals, whereas the repro are blunt. Nothing in the JG about it.

Doug