Bumper replacement

[joncdeke]

I resently purchased a 914 that is registered as a 1971 but it has 1975 bumpers. I don't really like the looks of the later model bumpers and would like to reinstall the original chrome bumpers. Can this be done with little effort or is this a major undertaking. Not sure what was done to install the 75's.

Thanks!

Jon

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[Joe Bob]

The early bumpers were held on by four 13mm hex headed bolts. It should be very easy to install. Much easier to install than finding good early bumpers.

Now if you wanted to install early bumpers on a late car, that is a bit more work.

I have an early rear one, if you are looking.

[Jim Philpot]

I've had no direct contact with the '75/'76 bumpers, but from what I've read, it would seem to be a bigger job to put the big uglies on an earlier car than the other way around. The b.u. require collapsible struts for the main support, and tabs on the fenders to retain the edges of the bumpers. The struts necessitate the use of shorter headlight boxes for clearance. You'll have to determine if the mod was done properly (struts/tabs) or were the b.u. just cobbled into place?

I can't imagine why anybody in his right mind would want to use the '75/'76 bumpers, unless replacement of a front/rear(?) clip was involved. Does it have b.u. both front and rear? Has the car had a front or rear clip replaced?

Have you checked the serial number of the car to verify that it is indeed a '71? Look at the plate just inside the windshield on the driver's side, or the number stamped on top of the wheelhouse inside the front trunk on the passenger side. A '71 car number should start with "471...".

Determination of the degree of difficulty involved in making this change is dependent on answers to these questions.

[This message has been edited by Jim Philpot (edited 08-03-1999).]