My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

[Tom H.]

Well, it finally happened. My 15000 mile original front bumper on my 73 coupe finally cracked. The bumper just became brittle to the touch in the recent year. Just all of a sudden. The car hasn't been driven, but it just happened. I knew it would eventually.

I'm not sold on the fiberglass replacements and am thinking about the tru flex bumpers that are available. This is a very nice car, but judging and points are not an issue with this one.

Any thoughts on the tru flex bumpers ?? Or the best replacement .

Thanks.

[Jack H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

In my opinion, the Tru-Flex bumpers come 'close' to the feel of factory original urethane, but a savvy judge can still detect it's not the real McCoy item...

Unfortunately, even you do manage to track down either an NOS or lightly used factory original urethane cover, you'll wind up with a part that has time/age on it. So, the expected remaining life is a crap shoot...

[Tom H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

Thanks. Like I said, judging is not in this cars future, so I am just looking for the best solution for a replacement. I am leaning towards the tru flex. Are there any issues with the support bar under the cover when installing a tru flex ?

Not interested in another original or used one. Looking for advise on fiberglass or tru flex.

[Joe L.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

Thanks. Like I said, judging is not in this cars future, so I am just looking for the best solution for a replacement. I am leaning towards the tru flex. Are there any issues with the support bar under the cover when installing a tru flex ?

Not interested in another original or used one. Looking for advise on fiberglass or tru flex.

Tom-----


I would not rule out the original piece, if I were you. You can still purchase this piece NEW from GM. For how much longer, who knows? The GM part number is 6263597 which is the ORIGINAL part number. This piece GM lists for almost 900 bucks. However, I'll bet you could get it a LOT cheaper.

This would be a bolt-on piece, as-original, with no modifications. Just have it painted and install it.

Would the same thing happen to it as happened to your original? Yes, it likely will. But, by that time, I don't think it will be a problem for or matter to you.

There are not many of these 73-82 bumper covers still available from GM, so you're one of the lucky ones. I'd take advantage of it if it were me.

[Robert R.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

Tom,
If you go with the GM piece you will still have to use the flex additive in the paint.
I went with the Tru Flex. There were some minor fit issues prior to painting, but it did fit and I couldn't be happier with the look.

[Tom H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

Thanks Joe !

Thanks for the tip. I was just wondering today if the part was available. I was going to check when i got to the dealership tomorrow.

Thanks for your input too, Robert !!

[Tom H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

New bumper on the way. From GM. Thanks guys.

[Harmon C.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

I inserted the retainers in the new bumper and made a frame to support it on a piece of plywood. This way it had some support for the painting operation. You will like the GM part as the last one I got from GM was made from black material as the originals were.

[Tom H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

Thanks Lyle !!!

[Tom H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

New bumper just arrived here at the dealership from GM. Looks good. Nice and soft. Should be the best way to go. I will report in when we get started on it.

[Joe L.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

New bumper just arrived here at the dealership from GM. Looks good. Nice and soft. Should be the best way to go. I will report in when we get started on it.

Tom-----


In case you were concerned about it, I have no doubt that the bumper you got is from fairly "fresh" stock. There's no way that this piece is old stock from the 70's. If they had ceased to produce this part then, it would be long gone from GMSPO inventory by now, one way or another. For whatever reason, the source that GM uses for the manufacture of this part must have kept producing them for a long time, maybe even to the present day.

If there is a GMSPO parts tag on the box, there MIGHT even be a "last received" date on the tag.

[George C.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

New bumper on the way. From GM. Thanks guys.

That's the way to go. I'd do the GM part. Can't wait to see the finished result.

[Tom H.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

Tom-----


In case you were concerned about it, I have no doubt that the bumper you got is from fairly "fresh" stock. There's no way that this piece is old stock from the 70's. If they had ceased to produce this part then, it would be long gone from GMSPO inventory by now, one way or another. For whatever reason, the source that GM uses for the manufacture of this part must have kept producing them for a long time, maybe even to the present day.

If there is a GMSPO parts tag on the box, there MIGHT even be a "last received" date on the tag.

Joe:

No doubt this is a fresh part. It is super nice and soft as a wet noodle. Should be a perfect replacement. Glad we went this way so far !!

[Steve L.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

My original 73 bumper cover still seems to be flexable. But I live in Canada where it's a tad cooler and it hasn't seen that much sunlight.

If I punch in the above p/n into the GM restoration parts site, it comes up empty??

[Joe L.]

Re: My 73 front bumper finally cracked.

My original 73 bumper cover still seems to be flexable. But I live in Canada where it's a tad cooler and it hasn't seen that much sunlight.

If I punch in the above p/n into the GM restoration parts site, it comes up empty??

Steve-----


I don't think it's available through the Restoration Parts Program because it's still available from the regular GM Parts System.