Bumperz - older vs newer?

[Scooter311]

Yowdy everyone

OK, so who likes which, and why? I've got a 73 with almost poifect chrome and tops, but I feel disturbingly attracted to the '75/'76 style (are they plastic or rubber anyway, I've never seen them in person..).
Here's mine - how would it look with the other style?



Geez, you can't see my lousy bodywork in those crappy pix

[norustscott]

Let me put it this way...I threw away a perfect set of 76 bumper...It is a matter of taste. If you really want the later bumpers there has to be a bunch of guys/ gals that will trade ...BTW they are some sort of synthetic pliable vinyl stuff.

[sammyg2]

I prefer the early ones, but it's your car, do what makes you happy. If it were my car I would keep the chrome bumpers.
The early bumpers are also significantly lighter.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Less useful as bumpers, though... They protect about as much as tinfoil. Oooh, shiney!

The late bumpers can be "gutted" and have the heaviest parts replaced with lightweight substitutes. That makes them less effective as bumpers as well.

As does swapping to a fiberglass replica of the late bumper, which has been done on a number of race cars I know.

As for the appearance, a lot of people thought in 74-75 that the larger bumpers were a real improvement over the early ones. If you check magazine articles from back then, you'll see that they were almost universally hailed as being much more integrated-looking.

--DD

[StratPlayer]

I like the later bumpers,, they seem to give the car a longer and leaner look.

[Scooter311]

So generally, most don't prefer the new style?
Hmm, I like both I s'pose. Although I'll never get rid of my nice chrome setup, I do think there are a bunch of front spoiler options that I like, as well as the look of the fiberglass front bumper.
Know what? I'm gonna get one of everything, and change them as my mood dictates. Then I'll check into the R wing, because I don't know what the heck I want anymore

[skinnerd]

I had a 76 and hated the bumpers. Sold the car before I got around to replacing them with a earlier set. To me, the old ones are simpler, and more streamline looking. The later big black plastic monstrosities (sorry to all those who either like them or have them) just didn't seem to fit the looks of the car. I guess this is one of the reasons I like 914-6's so much.

You should do what you want to do, and what you believe is best.

ps I think your car looks great with the flares and paint color, and so what if your car has some of your bodywork on it.

[Dave Bell]

I don't really like any of the bumpers in stock form.... back dated my 75 with older bumpers all holes filled, smoothed over and painted... Really gives it a clean look to me.

[maf 914]

Dave,

Very nice work. Looks good. That completely smooth front bumper is different.

What thickness metal did you use to fill the fog light openings?

Mike

[Scooter311]

See? That looks great too! I like a nice, uninterrupted look.
BTW, what do folks do when they paint the bumper tops - I remember seeing a yellow one a while back, that the owner painted everything to match. We all went wild complementing the guy who posted the pix, but he never really responded. Anyone remember him?

[Dave Bell]

Originally posted by maf 914
Dave,

What thickness metal did you use to fill the fog light openings?

Mike

16 gauge, .0625", backed with some small square tube stock, as shown, to eliminate flexing.

[ss6]

Took my '76 to the local PCA "People's Choice" concours last summer, out of 3 teeners there, mine came in behind a ratty '72 with body rust, big paint scratches, and gutted seats. Had to be the bumpers .

Was inclined to keep the big bumpers for the safety aspect as Dave mentioned, but when those SUV trailer hitches are at eye level, I just don't think the bumpers are gonna matter much, so I'll probably switch to the shiny ones eventually.

[sammyg2]

I really like the body matched painted bumpers on Dave's car.
I had yellow bumpers on the turbo and it just looked nice (to me).

[M. Hendrix]

Hold on Scotty, I'll have to answer in another post, cause I just wanted to say that color makes your ass look fat.


M

[M. Hendrix]

Early bumpers are not only lighter, and cooloer looking, you already own them!

Send me a grand, and call it -even-.


M

[AaronM]

I like the bumpers on my '76, but they are definitely more noticeable on my white car. Once I get the car back to its original black though I'm pretty sure they will look much better. The overall shape of the car is nicer with them. And they are really quite effective too.

Aaron

[BARRY MISHLER]

I liked the way mine turned out.

[M. Hendrix]

Flat chest




Skinny butt



M

[woodman]

QARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHAAAHAHAHAHAHAH!

HA.

M. YOU ROCK!

[Toast]

Miles,
Your avitar Still cracks me up!!
ROTFLMAO.....histarically.
Ok, its late.