72 front bumper the same as a 69 front bumper?

[Harv]

Looks like I might be able to get a good deal on a front bumper from a 72. My car is a 69 and something's telling me that the very early cars front bumpers are different. Don't they sit closer to the body or something?

John

[Timmer]

Harv,

The center front bumper is the same for all roundies, corner pieces are different, I think, after 1971 and also the bumper brackets. The later roundies, ('72 and '73?) use a y type bumper bracket, the earlier style bracket just have the curved end.

Tim

'69 2000

[Harv]

Thanks Tim. I think I might go for it since I'd have to trim the corner pieces to fit into the flare anyway. I have my early bumper brackets.

John

[Timmer]

The only differences Harv would be the brackets and you can use either type, the later roundie bumper ends have the openings for the rubber bumper strips. I think the later style brackets are more of a re-enforcement, maybe D.O.T. regs. (?).

Tim

'69 2000

[DukeRimmer]

'67-'70 bumpers ride lower than later ones. '73 is farther forward, so be sure to have a plan, better yet parts in hand, before drilling fenders.

[Delia]

Center sections are the same.

The ends are different. Early cars are clean and smooth. Beginning in late '71 the ends are drilled for the rubber bump strip. On all the early cars the same bumper brackets are used. These small brackets (there is only one style, I think) hold the bumper close to the body and the front fenders are drilled to support the outer end.

Brackets for the '73-only chrome-bumpered Federalized bumpers are massive, heavy, and push the bumper forward a ways. The holes on the front fenders are located in a different place.

What I would do is get an early all-chrome bumper and whatever early brackets were necessary. You can bolt up the brackets and center section, then see where the bolts for the bumper ends need to be located on the front fender. Drill mounting holes accordingly.

The seams where the bumper sections join together at the bracket are not very pretty.

"Duke" had a pair of "early-early" 1600-2 front bumper overriders that cover these seams and would look damn good , IMO.

Car looks Great.

Keep on keepin' on!

Delia

[02fanatic]

Hey John!

My $0.02 worth...Delia gave excellent write-up and advice...couldn't have said it better myself! :-)

Only other thing I'd recommend is that you seriously consider mounting the "smaller" European overiders to cover the bumper section joints. they are still available. That's what I have on Hugo, even though he's a '72...I have an early-style Euro bumper on him...looks "sweet"! and not as obtrusive as the bumper with the larger "bean-shaped" or "pointed" overiders.

Your car will look very cool with an early-style bumper IMHO!

Take Care,

John

[Delia]

But, John, that's what I was referring to when I said "early-early 1600-2."

Duke has a pair posted for sale on his site.

Great "old" minds think alike, ya know..

LOL!

Delia

[02fanatic]

(nt)

[DukeRimmer]

Delia is wise and well spoken as usual. Allow me to add that '71-'72 brackets have two kinks which raise the height about 1" above the level of '67-'70 which use simple flat bar brackets. Fender holes in the wrong location will ruin your day.