Put my 76 on a fiberglass bumper diet Options

[wbergtho]

I have always liked the clean simple look of the early cars and I definitely appreciate the lighter weight. I went with the fiberglass bumpers with the rubber tops molded in. You would not believe what the 75/76 bumpers and hardware weigh! I weighed everything and it came in at exactly 100lbs. The bumpers I'm bolting back on weigh 5 lbs a piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) That ought to make my car a bit more nimble...don't ya think? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Bill

[wbergtho]

Bill, where did you get yours? How was the fit and finish?

I bought them from the place that makes all the AIR stuff (not far from Upland, CA). My friend Randy Beck knows every connection in CA and I asked him if he could get me a good deal on a pair of FG bumpers. He made one call and they were ready by the door the next morning. We picked them up on the way to Willow Springs. I could call Randy and get further info for you on their name & address. You sunny Southern CA guys could probably just pop by the place and ask for the same deal ($150 each). I'm pretty sure the Beck connection shaved a bit of $ off the set...but I'm positive you could smooth talk them if you dropped by the place (or had a friend do so for you).

The fit & finish was pretty nice. I had to die grind a bit of excess FG off in a few areas on both bumpers....but i'm talking about 5-10 minutes worth of work. The brackets that come on the backside lined up real nice with the contour of the front & rear panels. If I had to do it all over again...I'd say they are nice pieces and I'd buy from these guys again.

Question,

I'm not sure I want to spray these gloss black. I'm thinking a satin finish might be a better option. Any guys out there have an opinion on exactly what type of black I should spray them?... What finish was on the side rockers and valances from the factory. Perhaps my tendency to go satin is because I've never seen a clean painted bumper...maybe they should be gloss...not sure. I was thinking for a minute about painting the whole bumper & tops in Signal Orange...but it might start looking like the great pumpkin. Any thoughts on all this?

Bill

[zymurgist]

[I was thinking for a minute about painting the whole bumper & tops in Signal Orange...but it might start looking like the great pumpkin. Any thoughts on all this?

Great pumpkins rule! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2724482113_8e0b9f115b.jpg)