Kinda fun - new rear bumper

[Scott S]

I located a euro rear bumper a few months back. Finally had it painted last week and found some time this past weekend to throw it on the car. I am sort of surprised at how much I like it. I did not dislike the US version - just wanted the car to be a bit different. I swear the car looks wider. I also repainted the edges of the tail light lenses - they were not looking good (grey).

Before:


After:




Disregard the driver side license plate light. I cracked the lens when pulling everything apart - it was waiting for the glue to dry on the work bench when I took these pics. Always something, I swear...

I ordered the rubber trim for the front bumper that replaces the US marker lights. Just need to pick up a rear fog light and call it done.

[Josh D]

Looks much better.

I have a Euro car that had been federalized (bumpers and lights only, no emissions) and I've been returning it back to Euro specs. The Euro bumperettes look much better and weigh half as much as the US versions.

[Jerome74911S]

Good for 15 horsepower easy.

My '74 has the same bumpers - the only year that they were offered on U.S. cars.

[Bob Kontak]

I like the big ones only because that is what I am used to. They are definitely chubby, though.

Frankly, when you step away from the emotional tie, they are really farkin' fat. Like, they should have put first aid kits in them or something. Perhaps an inner tube or the little air compressor.

[Ayles]

If you don't mind me asking whats the going rate for a euro bumper and was it hard to find? Love the euro plates and smaller cushions.

So many great cars of the 70's/80's were ruined with US bumpers. They just never looked right.

[Tidybuoy]

My '74 has the smaller bumperettes. I personally like the look of the SC bumperettes.

[911Freak]

Did you replace the boat anchor US spec impact absorbers and replace with euro crush tubes? That's the real weight saving bits...
Like Josh, mine is also a euro living here in the states in euro spec

Looking good!
Jason

[Guardsred911]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I like the big ones only because that is what I am used to. They are definitely chubby, though.

Frankly, when you step away from the emotional tie, they are really farkin' fat. Like, they should have put first aid kits in them or something. Perhaps an inner tube or the little air compressor.

Love it...

[wrxnofx]

Originally Posted by Scott S

I also repainted the edges of the tail light lenses - they were not looking good (grey).

What kind of paint did you use and what was the method used? Rattle can and tape? Brush? I'm curious because mine are looking a bit grey, also.

[JQ911]

Originally Posted by Scott S

I ordered the rubber trim for the front bumper that replaces the US marker lights. Just need to pick up a rear fog light and call it done.

I did the same as my winter project (converted to euro bumpers, euro tail light lenses and even got lucky having those 930 impact strips with reflectors and replacing the front markers with those rubber mouldings.

I got as far as mounting rear fog lights but until now it has not been wired yet, lol.

[Scott S]

Originally Posted by Ayles

If you don't mind me asking whats the going rate for a euro bumper and was it hard to find? Love the euro plates and smaller cushions.

So many great cars of the 70's/80's were ruined with US bumpers. They just never looked right.

I paid 125 for both bumperettes, 89.00 for the actual bumper (ebay find, with free shipping to boot) and 300 to have it painted (that included tax). I just used a local body shop that has done touch-ups for me on other cars before. They are very good at matching existing paint. Being that the bumper is not actually touching any of the existing paint due to the various trim and seals, it really is nearly perfect. It just needs some swirl marks to match the rest for the car!

On the lenses, I pulled them, hit the edges lightly with some medium steel wool, masked everything off and hit them with a semi-gloss plastic spray paint from one of the big box hardware stores. I dont remember if is was Krylon or Rustoleum - but you get the idea. Quick and cheap.

I do need to crawl back under there and loosen the muffler straps and rotate them up. When I put on the gutted muffler, I got a bit lazy. I dont like seeing those bolts below the valance.