front body panels for '78 C3

[Ryan V.]

I need to replace front bumper and some some front fiberglass on my '78 C3. I've decided to go with the TruFlex bumper, which I believe is made by American Custom Industries (acivette.com). BUT, I don't know whether to get the front fiberglass body panels (left front fender, right front fender, front hood surround) from ACI too or whether to get them from Corvette Image.

Can anyone share experience with panels from ACI and Corvette Image? Which is higher quality? Which is more accurate?

Thanks,
- Ryan

[Patrick H.]

Re: front body panels for '78 C3

I would think that finding an original nose for a 1978 would not be difficult at all; if a 79 is the same then its even easier. You would want to go that direction long before using aftermarket like ACI or Corvette Image.

[Joe L.]

Re: front body panels for '78 C3

I would think that finding an original nose for a 1978 would not be difficult at all; if a 79 is the same then its even easier. You would want to go that direction long before using aftermarket like ACI or Corvette Image.

Patrick------


1978 and 1979 were the same.

[Ryan V.]

Re: front body panels for '78 C3

What are the differences between the after market and an original?

My original was bumped, right on tip of nose, by prior owner. Cracks in original urethane bumper and their repair work left damaged hood surround and maybe even fenders. We just cannot get the original bumper to fit right with the fenders and hood surround So, we were looking to path forward.

[Patrick H.]

Re: front body panels for '78 C3

What are the differences between the after market and an original?

Too numerous to mention would be the short answer. Different materials, different production processes, different appearance.
And, you can likely buy a whole 78/79 donor body for the price of a repro front end.

Reproduction pieces for a 78/79 body would be absolute last resort, if you asked me. And, if you are careful in how you remove the other 78/79 front end, you can install it all as one piece.