Chrome bumper bars - Dealer option/aftermarket?, 1972 chrome bumper bars Options

[natebg]

I am new to this board; my father and I are starting a restoration of a 1972 (he is the second owner) that he parked in his barn about 24 years ago. I have a question on the chrome bumper bars that are on this car. Were these a dealer option, or do you think they were added aftermarket?






Thank you very much,
Nathan

[Joe Bob]

Aftermarket junk....lose them.

[tat2dphreak]

never seen those, but yea, I gotta say I'm not a fan. I've seen bars like that on pickups for brush though...

post pics when you wash it tho, looks like it's in decent shape!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Amco made them and provided them aftermarket. In those days, many dealers were looking for anything to make a little extra money on the sale of the 914. Amco also made rear chrome luggage racks the matching front bar shift knobs and a (fairly nice looking) plastic console for the cars.

I am new to this board; my father and I are starting a restoration of a 1972 (he is the second owner) that he parked in his barn about 24 years ago. I have a question on the chrome bumper bars that are on this car. Were these a dealer option, or do you think they were added aftermarket?






Thank you very much,
Nathan

[natebg]

Amco made them and provided them aftermarket. In those days, many dealers were looking for anything to make a little extra money on the sale of the 914. Amco also made rear chrome luggage racks the matching front bar shift knobs and a (fairly nice looking) plastic console for the cars.

Cool. Thanks for the info.

[natebg]

...
post pics when you wash it tho, looks like it's in decent shape!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Here are some additional pictures.

[tat2dphreak]

looks like a solid car! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

I'd check that rust under the sail panel tho.

my rear valance is like that, but a bigger hole for a dual exhaust tip (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) DAPO...

what is the color code? pheonix red?

[gandalf_025]

Yes, Dealer installed Amco Crash Bars.. Amco is generally known for Chrome Luggage Racks for British Cars. My 914 had them from the Dealer. They do grow on you..

Looks aside, they do provide a service. Mine saved the rear of my car in 74, when a Buick G.S. backed into it. It saved the rear lights and back fascia. The G.S. rode up over bar and sat on trunk lid. Trunk lid was trashed,But the rest of the rear of the car was fine.

As an aside.the Buick was stuck in place which helped because people told me he tried leave the Scene but he couldn't get the cars apart.

I bought a new pair on e-Bay a few years ago and will put them on when I decide on Bumpers.. They would also protect the expensive Bumper tops.

Guess it is a matter of taste, looks wise..

[maf914]

The bumper guards were popular on early chrome bumper MG's, Triumphs and VW's. Their bumpers were low compared to Detroit iron bumpers and parking damage tended to get into the grill and body work. I always thought they were a little odd on a 914, but they do serve a pupose I guess.

[Al Meredith]

If anyone is interested in those bars I have a set in VG condition. Luggage racks too. $50 for the bars or the racks. Al

[gandalf_025]

Just as a "For what it is Worth"

Here are a few pictures of the rear bumper that was clobbered by the Buick.
You can see where the impact pushed the Crash Bar into the Bumper.
It did it's job and saved the taillights and the rear fascia.

My car {a 1970} has had them on since new, I bought it in 1973, and it wouldn't be the same without them..

Like I said ,purely "Personal Preference"

In my case, the Crash Bars and Wood Dash Pieces that were Dealer Installed Options will stay with the car.

[gandalf_025]

Just as a "For what it is Worth"

Here are a few pictures of the rear bumper that was clobbered by the Buick.
You can see where the impact pushed the Crash Bar into the Bumper.
It did it's job and saved the taillights and the rear fascia.

My car {a 1970} has had them on since new, I bought it in 1973, and it wouldn't be the same without them..

Like I said ,purely "Personal Preference"

In my case, the Crash Bars and Wood Dash Pieces that were Dealer Installed Options will stay with the car.

[Pat Garvey]

Couple of things of note here (won't hurt any feelings by commenting on the bars):

Color is most probably Bahia Red (bahiarot).

The rear snowplow has the same problem that my original had. Someone put on an aftermarket exhaust (probably Bursch), and the hole had to be extended in all directions for the tailpipe to exit (yes, I did it). So you now have this gaping hole in an almost impossible piece to replace.

Looks like a salvageable 914. What's the VIN, so we can record it to this site?
Pat

[natebg]

Paint code is L21E (tangerine). After research, this car was once repainted to the GM color "Hugger Orange" - which appears to be a close match to the factory color, when some battery tray work was done.
I have added my VIN to the database.
Right now I have the engine and transmission out, and am doing some engine degreasing/cleaning, then I will paint all of the engine sheet metal with a fresh coat of high-temp black.

[steveherman]

...
post pics when you wash it tho, looks like it's in decent shape!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Here are some additional pictures.

i wanna see a better side view.

[natebg]

i wanna see a better side view.

This is what I have...

[Dave_Darling]

Jeff Bowlsby's site has some more info on these:

http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/914Accessories.htm

They include some installation instructions (I think), plus some brochure scans.

--DD