Opinions on 68-69 Reproduction Front Bumper

[Greg L.]

Due to an oversight I might have to quickly get a different front bumper for my 69 and was wondering what my options are.

My first choice is obviously an original one but I'm curious as to how well the current reproduction ones are in appearance, fitting and scoring on the judging field.

If I could get some feed back on this and who sells the best quality bumper I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Alan S.]

Re: Opinions on 68-69 Reproduction Front Bumper

Hi Greg,
I agree that the re-plated original from the car is the best option.
From what I read it seems Paragon sells a good reproduction.
You really won't know about fit until you begin to install it. The issues I see, (not necessarily on Paragon's bumpers), is that the tips of the bumper, (after the bend), don't hug the fiberglass the way the originals typically did.
As far as judging goes I'd think the biggest issue will be degree of preparation the bumper received prior to and during plating, and the high quality of the chrome plating.
Perhaps you could ask them to make you a sort of ugly one? (joke!)
Regards,
Alan

[Greg L.]

Re: Opinions on 68-69 Reproduction Front Bumper

Hi Alan,

I guess I'll stick with OEM then.

My issue is hard to explain but basically I didn't recall any fitting issues before and I did do a trial fit before I sent my "original" one off to the chrome shop but that was a few years ago and now it's doesn't fit like it should. Basically the drivers side gap just ahead of the headlights is about a 1/8-3/16" tighter than the passenger side. It may not seem like much but to me it's very noticeable. Also, when you try to mount the bumper each end touches first but there is still a good inch or so gap at the very front so I have to push the bumper back with a fair bit of force to "spread" it apart to have all the bolts line up. This is when I really notice the bumper gap difference just ahead of the headlights.

What I was hoping to do is get a known good bumper repop or original and see how well it fit. I talked to the chrome shop and they said to bring it back and they will check it so that got me thinking. I'm now thinking that since it fit well before but not now that they may have "straightened" it for me...

Anyways that's what I'm playing with. At least now I know that I'll have a better chance of making my old one look proper than just buying a repop one.

[Dick W.]

Re: Opinions on 68-69 Reproduction Front Bumper

to ngQUOTE=Greg Linton (45455);702499]Hi Alan,

I guess I'll stick with OEM then.

My issue is hard to explain but basically I didn't recall any fitting issues before and I did do a trial fit before I sent my "original" one off to the chrome shop but that was a few years ago and now it's doesn't fit like it should. Basically the drivers side gap just ahead of the headlights is about a 1/8-3/16" tighter than the passenger side. It may not seem like much but to me it's very noticeable. Also, when you try to mount the bumper each end touches first but there is still a good inch or so gap at the very front so I have to push the bumper back with a fair bit of force to "spread" it apart to have all the bolts line up. This is when I really notice the bumper gap difference just ahead of the headlights.

What I was hoping to do is get a known good bumper repop or original and see how well it fit. I talked to the chrome shop and they said to bring it back and they will check it so that got me thinking. I'm now thinking that since it fit well before but not now that they may have "straightened" it for me...

Anyways that's what I'm playing with. At least now I know that I'll have a better chance of making my old one look proper than just buying a repop one. [/QUOTE]

You can adjust those gaps to be equal, just takes time. We once spent a day and one half to install a pair of mid year front bumpers and getting them to suit me.

[Alan S.]

Re: Opinions on 68-69 Reproduction Front Bumper

Hi Greg,
I understand your dilemma.
You really won't know how a reproduction bumper will fit until you try it on the car it's going on.
It does sound like your present bumper needs to be 'spread', but that's something I don't want to even think about. The difficulty in doing what you're suggesting is the use of the word 'force'.
You'll have to be SO careful that the 'force' needed to obtain the gaps you desire is all passed to the bumper brackets WITHOUT applying any pressure to the body. It will be SO easy to crack the fiberglass in the front corners of the body where the bolts pass through from the brackets.
Again, be careful !!
Regards,
Alan