Stealth lightweight

[GeorgeK]

While waiting for my new engine (should be 2 months now), I was looking at a spare bumper I have:


And I was wondering, how can I lighten it while keeping the original look... Presto:



Then, I thought, I need more:



It doesn't show too well, but the threaded holes for the lower skirt are left on the bumper. No one will ever know it has been cut.



Next I will have the holes for the big pads welded shut, and use some vintage Hella license plate lights, incidentally the same that were used on the 917 to light the racing numbers. That will be a noticeable difference.

[Rot 911]

George, looks nice, but that bumper is aluminum. You couldn't have saved 1 pound with the material you removed!

[GeorgeK]

But Wait! If you add all the sweat I lost while drilling/sawing/welding/cursing, you get close to 3 pounds! (plus the skin off the busted knuckles).

[Rot 911]

Good point! By the way, any chance you would sell me that old license plate and the bracket underneath? They would look cool on my car here in Mid-Missouri. No one would know what to make of them!

[Jim Richards]

But Wait! If you add all the sweat I lost while drilling/sawing/welding/cursing, you get close to 3 pounds! (plus the skin off the busted knuckles).

George, you still need to strip off all the old paint, including from the inside of the bumper. Than, repaint a very thin coat on the outside only. You'll probably save a few more grams.

[cegerer]

If you tie 2 helium balloons to the bumper it would actually have a negative weight. Just a thought ..... -- Curt

[john70t]

Whad'ya got? A radiator up there?;

[Jack Olsen]

To adapt an old expression: 'Kilograms are made of grams.'

[304065]

I would dip it in acid to lighten it, make it paper-thin.

You DO have a vat of acid around the house, don't you?