1974 rear bumper script

[Petter T.]

I bought my 1974 Corvette with an aftermarket one-piece fiberglass bumper. Have since tried to find chrome letters for it and have failed to get some that fits in the indentations.
Can anyone of you guys Identify the bumper and script that goes with it?

IMG_0019-1.jpg

[Mark E.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Hopefully you got a bum set of reproduction letters, but the problem may be the indentations in the aftermarket bumper.

This is a good reminder to drill all holes and trial fit all trim before paint.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

I bought my 1974 Corvette with an aftermarket one-piece fiberglass bumper. Have since tried to find chrome letters for it and have failed to get some that fits in the indentations.
Can anyone of you guys Identify the bumper and script that goes with it?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]100460[/ATTACH]

Petter-------


This is not a reproduction of a 1974 bumper. For one thing, the 1974 bumper had a seam in the middle. For another thing, I don't think the letters on the 1974 bumper were recessed or, if they were, it was nowhere near as deep as seen on this bumper. The original letter kit is discontinued but was GM #6260519. However, if you obtained an NOS example of this kit I don't think they're going to fit, either.

[Bob R.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Joe
The 1974 and 1975 rear bumpers both had the script recessed in the bumper. The only visual difference was the 74 had a seam in the middle and the 75 didn't. In 76 the letters were script not block and they were surface applied not recessed. I would guess in the repo bumper the recess is not made exactly as the original.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Maybe someone makes some decals that is fit into recess. Sometime you can get chrome vinyl.or get a it pinstriped. Good luck.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Joe is correct when he says that the '74 letters weren't as recessed in the original bumper cover as shown in your reproduction above. Here are a couple pictures from a '74. A side view to show how slight the indent is, as well as a full rear view....just to show how the letters set.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Interesting. Paragon's website has this description for their rear bumper cover # 13812 -

Rear Bumper - Two Piece Design

E-mail this product to a friend

Paragon Number: 13812
GM Part Number: 339195
Rear bumper, two-piece stock design, flex fiberglass. This bumper is made from a hand laminated fiberglass construction that looks like the original design. The flex-fit fiberglass makes this bumper superior to the original and provides for ease of installation. This bumper includes the recess for the "CORVETTE" letters.

Years: 1974

[Paul B.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

In 76 the letters were script not block and they were surface applied not recessed.

...the "early small script emblem" on 1976 Corvettes rear bumpers was recessed, just to let you know.

[Richard F.]

[Leonard M.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

The bumpers on the '74 I owned both fell apart when I owned it. I replaced both. The flexfit was molded as the original, although the holes were Not drilled. Expect to do a lot of "on/off" along with the cutting and drilling holes before you are ready for paint.
Original and flexfit
Urathane rear.jpgFlexfit.jpg

[Paul B.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

IMG_0061.jpg...spent many, many hours lining up this true two piece Eckler's "Flex-Fit" 1974 rear bumper and carefully, carefully drilling the letter holes and cutting in the license plate lamp holes just right. All before any paint was applied.

[Robert R.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Jimmy is correct the 1974 recess is shallower than that particular reproduction. The
reproductions are not as “crisp” as the originals that is not as sharp edge and the extra build up in those areas interfere with the original lettering .And yes the 1974 Corvrtte rear bumper is two piece. Fit all trim before paint.

Rich,
Since I believe you still have your original 74 rear bumper cover, would you check if the features on your bumper cover conform to those on these photos? The "C" and the "O" show that there is a raised area inside the letters and the"E" shows a raised area at the center bar. I purchased this urethane cover from GM OTC in Feb. 1991 and, if my memory is correct, the only difference from the production bumper was that it was molded in a grayish color as opposed to the original black.

Bob

AAE1F12C-7223-4372-ACFF-032F4BB380A6.jpg

A538D6EE-0975-47F5-A938-40781FB0CD07.jpg

3D031E65-3DE7-41E1-BA6C-***82866124C.jpg

[Richard F.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Hi Bob, that OTC polyurethane cover looks dead on, I will post pix tomorrow afternoon.
Stay well

[Keith K.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Here is a photo of the back side of one of these letters. Each letter has a larger pin for the acorn nut attaching from the back side plus a smaller pin for alignment. As mentioned above - lots of time for alignment and drilling.
IMG_2081[15940].jpg

[Paul B.]

Re: 1974 rear bumper script

Bob, for those that really want to tell the difference right off the bat between an OEM bumper & aftermarket is those items you mentioned & showed. The raised pads in the "C" & "O" and that indent bar for the "E". 95% of people probably aren't even aware of this. Great pics & post!!!