1974 Bumper Covers

[Robert R.]

My original 18,xxx mile big block convertible's bumper covers just fell apart. The car has never spent a single night outside of a climate contolled garage in it's entire life. This car has never been judged, but I am considering doing so in the future.

I am looking for recommendations for replacement bumpers. I think it would be foolish to spend the big bucks for original urethane bumpers since I am sure they are all very brittle and would fall apart in the future. It is my understanding that there are 2 replacement possibilities. One is the Eckler's two piece flex-fit and the other is a one piece (with seam) true-flex. With my limited knowledge, I am leaning toward the flex-fit.

Can someone steer me in the right direction for a car that is to be judged in the future.

[Don G.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

I agree that the two piece design should score better than the one piece with the simulated seam. In my opinion,the two piece design should score better in terms of configuration. You can't avoid some level of deduction because the flex fiberglass or the truflex are an "easily detectable" deviation from the original urethane. In the one piece design, there is no connecting hardware that will probably be a factor in the size of the deduction.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

My original 18,xxx mile big block convertible's bumper covers just fell apart. The car has never spent a single night outside of a climate contolled garage in it's entire life. This car has never been judged, but I am considering doing so in the future.

I am looking for recommendations for replacement bumpers. I think it would be foolish to spend the big bucks for original urethane bumpers since I am sure they are all very brittle and would fall apart in the future. It is my understanding that there are 2 replacement possibilities. One is the Eckler's two piece flex-fit and the other is a one piece (with seam) true-flex. With my limited knowledge, I am leaning toward the flex-fit.

Can someone steer me in the right direction for a car that is to be judged in the future.

Robert------


...or look for an NOS GM #339195.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

A friend with a 3K mile 1974 Bowtie had the bumpers fall off in the climate-controled garage. He had a spare NOS pair in the atic of his garage (he bought them when he bought the 1974 new), but they fell apart in his hands when he went to take them down. Nothing lasts forever (except stainless steel Joe ), and some things last far less than forever.

[Michael D.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

A quick surf of some of the aftermarket providers shows reproduction front urethane covers are available. Apparently reproduction urethane rears are not.

[Robert R.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

A friend with a 3K mile 1974 Bowtie had the bumpers fall off in the climate-controled garage. He had a spare NOS pair in the atic of his garage (he bought them when he bought the 1974 new), but they fell apart in his hands when he went to take them down. Nothing lasts forever (except stainless steel Joe ), and some things last far less than forever.

Terry,

Thanks for your reply. I am well aware of your expertise and although I know your preference is 68-72, would you have a recommendation for replacement bumpers for a 1974.

Bob

[Terry M.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

Terry,

Thanks for your reply. I am well aware of your expertise and although I know your preference is 68-72, would you have a recommendation for replacement bumpers for a 1974.

Bob

I am sorry Bob, but I don't have enough experience in this area to offer an informed opinion. As far as I know the idividual I cited above has done nothing to replace his broken covers. I offered his example to cite the futility of hoping to find NOS covers in good condition.

[Gary J.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

Now the can of worms will be getting the color to match.

[William C.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

As one who owned a (white) '74 when new, they didn't match when they were born.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

A quick surf of some of the aftermarket providers shows reproduction front urethane covers are available. Apparently reproduction urethane rears are not.

The front is still available from GM pat number 6263597. List price $916.00 With discount $720.00

[Todd L.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

Bob,
I also have a 74 which will need both front and rear bumpers. Can you keep us informed of your decision, and results?

Thanks

Todd

[John D.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

Wouldn't it be a good idea to have the car judged now as it is and see how it does ? You may get all the originality points and only lose condition.

You can have it judged again after the replacements..it's only original once as they say..

[Rich C.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

I agree that the two piece design should score better than the one piece with the simulated seam. In my opinion,the two piece design should score better in terms of configuration. You can't avoid some level of deduction because the flex fiberglass or the truflex are an "easily detectable" deviation from the original urethane. In the one piece design, there is no connecting hardware that will probably be a factor in the size of the deduction.

I have one ( tru-flex) on my '73, I don't see how it is detectable. Unless they push hard on it! It does have some 'give' to it, and it looks great after 6 years or so on the car.

[Paul B.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

....even if you were to find an NOS one that was never installed, you'd be silly to even try as they aged even when they weren't installed unless you find one that someone had "vacuum sealed". NOS ones were falling apart years ago so I can't image one even surviving this long.

....the best replacement bumper now is the Eckler's true two piece "Flex-Fit" for 1974, if they even still have it, which they should. I did mine back in 2003 and this one has the correct curvature of the seam. A few out there that are one piece has what looks like a "sawblade" cut down the middle. Hard to even see this particular seam on a dark colored '74. You have to very carefully cut out your own license plate lamp holes as this is not done, but the impression is there to tell you where to cut, so it's not bad, just be easy with the 'ol dremel tool.

http://s988.photobucket.com/albums/af4/paulborowski/paulborowskicorvette/?action=view&current=SDC10008.jpg

[Robert R.]

Re: 1974 Bumper Covers

Paul,

Thanks for the info and pics. I have seen several one piece bumpers this weekend that had the fake split. I assumed that these were tru-flex bumpers and I was not happy with the way they looked. Also, the tail and backup light "tunnel" did not seem to be as crisp as the original.

There is a parts dealer in my area that carries the Eckler's two piece bumpers. I hope to check those out this week.

My other Corvette is a small block coupe that I bought new in '74. I did a complete frame off resto back in the late '80's and early '90's. At that time I bought a new urethane bumper from GM. That new bumper was a perfect replacemant for the original with the exception that it was moulded in gray and not black. I painted the underside of that bumper flat black and recieved no point deductions at Bloomington or NCRS National. The car recieved both a BG Gold and NCRS top-flight back in '93 and '94.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these gray bumpers? Are they better than the original Black ones? Do they hold up longer? Are any available? My gray bumper has been on the car for almost 20 years and shows no physical signs of degradation. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Bob