E68 (GM 3922071) or L68-73 (GM 3932943) LH Rear Outer Bumper Brace?

[David L.]

I can across this bumper brace that I had bought decades ago by mistake. Based on my very recent research on the web the brace in the attached photo is either GM # 3922071 or GM # 3932943. Even though GM # 3932943 is listed in the 1968 AIM (UPC 14, Sheet B1) for the left side rear outer bumper brace the Revision Record shows that on 8-18-67 the braces was GM # 3922071. I assume that "early" 1968 Corvette were issued the 3922071 & 3922072 bumper braces. My 1968 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1967) also lists GM # 3922071 for the LH brace in Gr. 7.836. Chevrolet Parts History shows that GM # 3922071 was replaced by GM # 3932943 in Feb. 1969 (for service parts).
The brace in the photo measures 0.25" thick. Did GM make the 3932943 brace (and other similar bumper braces) thinner, maybe 0.18" thick or was it the other way around where they found the thin braces (like those on the 64-67 Corvettes) were too weak so they made the braces thicker? What brace do I have?
Dave

[Henry J.]

Re: E68 (GM 3922071) or L68-73 (GM 3932943) LH Rear Outer Bumper Brace?

David:

I measured the braces on my 68 with a vernier caliper.

Both LHS and RHS braces are nominally 5/16 inches thick. I hasten to add that they exhibit some surface rust pitting/blistering, which may add to the thickness, but they are definitely more robust than 1/4 inch.

My car has a body build date of February 16, 1968.

[David L.]

Re: E68 (GM 3922071) or L68-73 (GM 3932943) LH Rear Outer Bumper Brace?

Henry,
Thanks for the response. The reason I ask is that there was a similar situation with the 63 bumper braces being thicker than the 64-67 bumper braces with the 64-67 bracket measuring about 0.18" or 0.19" thick and the 63 braces meaning about 0.23" more or less. Since you car was made in February 1968 you may not have the "early" 68 braces. The change on paper was 8-18-67 but who knows when the change was ion the production line.
Dave