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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Steel GT Bumper Fabrication
Posted by: McMark Nov 20 2014, 12:27 PM
We just did a steel GT bumper modification, and in fact we've done a few of these now and have a few more on the table. Thought I'd share pics, including a couple of the process. This one took 14h to do, but I think it's worth it. 
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Posted by: 1845 Nov 20 2014, 01:27 PM
Looks great! Are you also doing the modifications to the steel rocker panels?
Posted by: boogie_man Nov 20 2014, 01:39 PM
Oh yeah, that's lookin good Marky 
Posted by: Mueller Nov 20 2014, 02:26 PM
Looks good Mark!
Posted by: johnhora Nov 20 2014, 02:49 PM
Nice Work Mark!
Posted by: McMark Nov 20 2014, 02:53 PM
Sure am.
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Posted by: bulitt Nov 20 2014, 03:54 PM
Nice work!
Posted by: 914Sixer Nov 20 2014, 04:49 PM
Steel is always better ! Nice one.
Posted by: rick 918-S Nov 20 2014, 05:40 PM
Are you having it re-chromed? Nice!
Posted by: McMark Nov 20 2014, 06:11 PM
Yup. It'll head out to Ogden Chrome next week.
Posted by: Mike Bellis Nov 20 2014, 07:42 PM
Want... 
Posted by: Harpo Nov 20 2014, 07:42 PM
Very nice work Mark
David
Posted by: maf914 Nov 21 2014, 07:27 AM
Nice work!
What tool do you make the initial cuts with? The cut lines appear to be so smooth and straight. Nice job with the steel rocker flares.
What sort of front valence or spoiler will you mount under the modified GT bumper?
Posted by: arkitect Nov 21 2014, 08:04 PM
Mark,
Your a magic metal man, along with all of your other talents.
Dave 
Posted by: ConeDodger Nov 21 2014, 08:14 PM
Mark,
Your a magic metal man, along with all of your other talents.
Dave
Other talents???
Posted by: wes Nov 21 2014, 10:14 PM
Well done, real talent!
Posted by: ConeDodger Jan 8 2015, 02:36 PM
as of this morning, it became mine! 
Serious cheese in this though between the bumper, the modifications, and the straightening and rechroming! I'm very excited as I think this will be a very good edition to my car! Plus, it might solve a problem. I have high oil temps according to my new 'John' triple gauge. We have to figure out if it is a sender-match problem or simply not enough air to the front cooler?
Anyone want a perfectly good chrome front bumper with 914Rubber fake titties?
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Posted by: cal914 Jan 8 2015, 02:49 PM
Is this what you have planned for my next project
Posted by: TJB/914 Jan 8 2015, 04:28 PM
as of this morning, it became mine!
Serious cheese in this though between the bumper, the modifications, and the straightening and rechroming! I'm very excited as I think this will be a very good edition to my car! Plus, it might solve a problem. I have high oil temps according to my new 'John' triple gauge. We have to figure out if it is a sender-match problem or simply not enough air to the front cooler?
Anyone want a perfectly good chrome front bumper with 914Rubber fake titties?
Rob,
Beautiful 914
Is it finished now?? 
Tom
Posted by: colingreene Jan 8 2015, 07:23 PM
Actually, i could use a front bumper.
Let me know what the story is, with shipping/payment stuff like that.
Posted by: ConeDodger Jan 8 2015, 08:37 PM
as of this morning, it became mine!
Serious cheese in this though between the bumper, the modifications, and the straightening and rechroming! I'm very excited as I think this will be a very good edition to my car! Plus, it might solve a problem. I have high oil temps according to my new 'John' triple gauge. We have to figure out if it is a sender-match problem or simply not enough air to the front cooler?
Anyone want a perfectly good chrome front bumper with 914Rubber fake titties?
Rob,
Beautiful 914
Is it finished now?? Tom
Blizz, there's always something! I plan on replacing the seats with GTS Classic Nurbergrings. Mark's going to do a top end rebuild and then, I'll put a bigger throttle body and a Steve Wong chip in it, but it is essentially finished.
Posted by: laflaur Jan 8 2015, 10:49 PM
Start with the gauge...just sayin
Posted by: raynekat Jan 9 2015, 02:00 AM
as of this morning, it became mine!
Serious cheese in this though between the bumper, the modifications, and the straightening and rechroming! I'm very excited as I think this will be a very good edition to my car! Plus, it might solve a problem. I have high oil temps according to my new 'John' triple gauge. We have to figure out if it is a sender-match problem or simply not enough air to the front cooler?
Anyone want a perfectly good chrome front bumper with 914Rubber fake titties?
Is there a link to your build....or additional pics anywhere? Thx
Posted by: ConeDodger Jan 9 2015, 09:42 AM
as of this morning, it became mine!
Serious cheese in this though between the bumper, the modifications, and the straightening and rechroming! I'm very excited as I think this will be a very good edition to my car! Plus, it might solve a problem. I have high oil temps according to my new 'John' triple gauge. We have to figure out if it is a sender-match problem or simply not enough air to the front cooler?
Anyone want a perfectly good chrome front bumper with 914Rubber fake titties?
Is there a link to your build....or additional pics anywhere? Thx
Yes. Most of the evolution of my car is contained in a thread called "just another damned project thread" which if you search with Conedodger as the member name should be in the top results.
Posted by: NS914 Jan 9 2015, 10:01 AM
Beautiful 914
Is it finished now?? Tom
I was just going to say the same...beautiful car...really love those wheels!!!
Grant
Posted by: GermermanCarGuy Jan 9 2015, 01:30 PM
We just did a steel GT bumper modification, and in fact we've done a few of these now and have a few more on the table. Thought I'd share pics, including a couple of the process. This one took 14h to do, but I think it's worth it.
They look real good. Can you post a mock up template with measurements? It would help others (like me) who don't have an original to work off of.
Next...looking to learn how to mold standard rockers into GT rockers. I'll be needing to do that soon enough.
Posted by: ConeDodger Jan 9 2015, 04:04 PM
Actually, i could use a front bumper.
Let me know what the story is, with shipping/payment stuff like that.
Hey Colin,
send me a PM...
Posted by: McMark Feb 23 2015, 01:26 PM
Just got it back from chrome. Used http://www.ogdenchrome.com. Not cheap by any means, but it looks super fantastic in person and it'll last as long as the original bumper.
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Posted by: JmuRiz Feb 23 2015, 02:09 PM
Very nice!!!
Posted by: scotty b Feb 23 2015, 02:43 PM
Posted by: Cairo94507 Feb 23 2015, 04:58 PM
That looks very familiar to me. Mine is just not in chrome yet.... McMark- what did it cost to chrome that baby if you don't mind saying.
Posted by: eric9144 Feb 23 2015, 05:38 PM
Allrighty so when does the group buy start? 
Posted by: ConeDodger Feb 23 2015, 06:10 PM
Must be close to time for my 914 to come down to the OC! 
Posted by: McMark Feb 23 2015, 08:50 PM
A stock bumper is cheaper to chrome because they don't have to 'work' the part as much. Good chrome shops will address the steel condition first, then 'copper strike' it a few times much like body filler before paint. Then the part is nickel plated, and finally chrome. The part is sanded and fully polished in between each step/coating.
Because of the welding involved in making this custom bumper, the steel needs a fair amount of attention before the 'chroming' process even starts. So this guy was about $1k to chrome.
I know about half of you just fell over. 
Posted by: SirAndy Feb 23 2015, 08:55 PM
A stock bumper is cheaper to chrome because they don't have to 'work' the part as much. Good chrome shops will address the steel condition first, then 'copper strike' it a few times much like body filler before paint. Then the part is nickel plated, and finally chrome. The part is sanded and fully polished in between each step/coating.
Because of the welding involved in making this custom bumper, the steel needs a fair amount of attention before the 'chroming' process even starts. So this guy was about $1k to chrome.
I know about half of you just fell over.
I was sitting down ...
Posted by: mepstein Feb 23 2015, 08:56 PM
A stock bumper is cheaper to chrome because they don't have to 'work' the part as much. Good chrome shops will address the steel condition first, then 'copper strike' it a few times much like body filler before paint. Then the part is nickel plated, and finally chrome. The part is sanded and fully polished in between each step/coating.
Because of the welding involved in making this custom bumper, the steel needs a fair amount of attention before the 'chroming' process even starts. So this guy was about $1k to chrome.
I know about half of you just fell over.
One of the reasons I'm going satin black. But it does look nice.
Posted by: Socalandy Feb 23 2015, 10:51 PM
Amazing work I want to have mine done!!!
Posted by: ConeDodger Feb 24 2015, 12:20 AM
A stock bumper is cheaper to chrome because they don't have to 'work' the part as much. Good chrome shops will address the steel condition first, then 'copper strike' it a few times much like body filler before paint. Then the part is nickel plated, and finally chrome. The part is sanded and fully polished in between each step/coating.
Because of the welding involved in making this custom bumper, the steel needs a fair amount of attention before the 'chroming' process even starts. So this guy was about $1k to chrome.
I know about half of you just fell over.
I was warned in advance...
Posted by: mgp4591 Feb 24 2015, 12:28 AM
The last thing I had done at Ogden Chrome was a black chrome job done on the rear bumper of my 70 GTO. It was about 200 bucks in 92... plus it helps having friends that work there. At the time, it was only 15 minutes away and I'd trade exhaust work with him. Now it's about an hour away and apparently a bit more expensive! Don't know if there's anyone there I still know or not... 
Posted by: Cairo94507 Feb 24 2015, 08:15 AM
It certainly seems they did a nice job by preparing it between each step of the chrome. I have seem some pretty poor chrome jobs on these bumpers. I will be curious to see what it costs back on the east coast to get mine chromed. I actually was thinking around here it would be $750 so $1K is not that bad considering the extra work for the oil cooler opening.
Posted by: McMark Feb 24 2015, 09:54 AM
We also did a pair of stock bumpers in this batch. These had the extra holes welded shut before shipment. They were $700 each. So I think you're right on Cairo.
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Posted by: e_artiles Feb 24 2015, 10:17 AM
Looks like great work! I've been looking for a place to repair/re-chrome my bumpers. I've got a slight dent on my front bumper and want to fill tit holes. Does Ogden provide repair work or only chroming? If not, any recommendations for SoCal area?
Posted by: dadaDaveed Feb 24 2015, 02:29 PM
Posted by: McMark Feb 24 2015, 03:06 PM
I'm pretty sure they can handle the whole process. Give 'em a call.
Posted by: bahnzai Feb 28 2015, 10:19 AM
Mark,
Would you consider building another GT front bumper? If so, would you PM me a price for both, finished satin and in chrome?
There is a 3.6 conversion underway that this would be perfect for.
Thanks!
Danny
Posted by: bahnzai Apr 18 2015, 12:43 PM
Hey Mark,
Any chance that you would tackle building another one of these?
Thanks!
Posted by: McMark Apr 18 2015, 12:45 PM
Absolutely. 
Posted by: Harpo Apr 18 2015, 01:01 PM
I want one of those as well. PM sent
David
Posted by: ConeDodger May 4 2015, 04:50 PM
Installed... Lovin' it! 
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Posted by: Cairo94507 May 4 2015, 09:14 PM
Beautiful - absolutely.
Posted by: tomeric914 May 4 2015, 10:11 PM
Bumper porn. That looks fan-freakin-tastic!
Posted by: worn May 4 2015, 10:47 PM
Installed... Lovin' it!
Can't say that, it is a registered trademark of Mac Donald's.
The chrome is great, but I think more credit should go to the original fabrication job. So if I paint mine.. I can do it myself. But don't have a front cooler...yet.
Nice story, looking for an applause emoticon. Well done!
Posted by: ConeDodger May 5 2015, 02:49 PM
Front shot
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Posted by: SirAndy May 5 2015, 03:07 PM
For all that money, you think your fabricator could have made it to match the cutout of the lower valance ...
Posted by: McMark May 5 2015, 03:36 PM
If only the fabricator had the valence when it was being built. 
AND, the valence may need to be adjusted slightly.
AND... shut up 
Posted by: Cairo94507 May 5 2015, 05:29 PM
I think that valance can be adjusted to match the bumper opening. Must have installed it after a couple cold ones..... 
Posted by: altitude411 May 5 2015, 07:15 PM
Reminds me of a diving experience.... very cool
Posted by: ConeDodger May 5 2015, 11:27 PM
If only the fabricator had the valence when it was being built.
AND, the valence may need to be adjusted slightly.
AND... shut up
OMFG! !
Posted by: worn May 7 2015, 07:07 PM
Reminds me of a diving experience.... very cool
Those remoras really slow me down..
Posted by: Jacob May 7 2015, 07:14 PM
Looks Great!
Posted by: earossi May 7 2015, 07:42 PM
A stock bumper is cheaper to chrome because they don't have to 'work' the part as much. Good chrome shops will address the steel condition first, then 'copper strike' it a few times much like body filler before paint. Then the part is nickel plated, and finally chrome. The part is sanded and fully polished in between each step/coating.
Because of the welding involved in making this custom bumper, the steel needs a fair amount of attention before the 'chroming' process even starts. So this guy was about $1k to chrome.
I know about half of you just fell over.
For comparison sake, I had a "stock" steel bumper prepped and then triple plated using copper, nickel and chrome. The cost to chrome it was $750 in Salt Lake City. But, there is nothing like the bling of a nicely chromed bumper.
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