69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

[Michael C.]

Who can tell me what is the purpose of the bolt holes (5/16" - 18) pointed out in the photo of the front bumper brace? I don't see anything attached in the AIM. The brace may not be totally correct for my 69 because it might have been replaced 40+ years ago after some frontend repairs. Other than these holes, the brace fits fine.
Thanks
Mike
BumperBrace.jpg

[Mark E.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

This is from memory so suspect, but here goes: Could these be the mounting points for the license plate bracket? If not, I'll crawl under my car and check for you (it's a '70 but probably similar).

[Michael C.]

[Mike E.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

That looks to me like where the brackets mount for the center grille.

[Owen L.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

Yes, they're for the center grille's mounting brackets. These pages are from my '72 AIM.
Screenshot 2023-03-15 at 7.39.07 PM.jpgScreenshot 2023-03-15 at 7.40.41 PM.jpg

[Michael C.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

Thanks for the suggestions and Owen's graphics, but now I see what's going on. As I mentioned many years ago I had some collision repairs done on the front end. It appears as though the repair shop used a bumper brace from a 72 or other car, but not a 69. After a closer look in my 69 AIM I found pages with the following illustrations. At this point I suppose the "mystery" holes should remain empty on my car.

Thanks for the replies folks.
CenterGrill.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

Thanks for the suggestions and Owen's graphics, but now I see what's going on. As I mentioned many years ago I had some collision repairs done on the front end. It appears as though the repair shop used a bumper brace from a 72 or other car, but not a 69. After a closer look in my 69 AIM I found pages with the following illustrations. At this point I suppose the "mystery" holes should remain empty on my car.

Thanks for the replies folks.
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Michal
The shop doing the repairs may have used a part from GM Service Parts. The part sold "over the counter might have had the holes to allow the part's use for all applications and the additional holes would go unused for your application. It is just the usual method of CMSP making a part to fill multiple applications to increase the number of potential sales. Their attitude was function over form.

BTW: You have increased the number of things for chassis judges to look for on 1969s -- not that thereis too little for them to do now.

[Gary T.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

Michael,

I have an early 70 (00504) with all 1969 production dated components and I do not have those holes on my bracket.

[Gary B.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

In 68-69.. the parking light grille mounting brackets were riveted to the lower valance. In 70-72, the center grille had a bracket that bolted to the horseshoe.

This picture is a 69 here at the house.
2023-03-16 10.42.43.jpg


This is my 70, which shows the bracket.
Gary B

2023-03-16 10.38.44.jpg

[Mike E.]

[Joseph S.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

Mike, I see the bracket spot welded onto the Horseshoe brace. There is another bracket bolted there. Where does the other end of that bracket attach? Is it to the area where the nose rod will attach?

Thanks, Joe

[Gary B.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

68 only did not use the traditional rod from the Radiator Core Support to the front of the upper surround. Used two brackets.
SEE PICTURES BELOW.
gB

Picture101.jpg

Picture202.jpg

[Joseph S.]

Re: 69 Front Bumper Brace Mystery

68 only did not use the traditional rod from the Radiator Core Support to the front of the upper surround. Used two brackets.
SEE PICTURES BELOW.
gB

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[ATTACH=CONFIG]116046[/ATTACH]

Thanks Gary! I guess I'll need to source that L bracket from the Horseshoe to the front support. I don't recall ever seeing that in my boxes of parts!

Oh, and ssssh! Don't tell anyone I'm messing around in 68 land!