72S vs 73S front bumper

[blue72s]

They look the same to me but according to PET the 73S front bumper had a different part number (91150501106) to the 72S version (91150502800)?

What were the differences?

Thanks.

[356RS]

IIRC in 73 they went to rubber bumperettes and dropped the metal ones so maybe the mounting holes in the bumper are different and therefore and new part number.

[Tyson Schmidt]

The '73 had to meet 2 1/2 mph impact standards, so the the bumper brackets were reinforced and they used the big rubber bumperettes.

I've never seen a difference in the bumper itself, just the brackets. Maybe the holes for the bumperettes are slightly different?

[blue72s]

Thanks all. Do you have any pics showing both versions of brackets?

[Tyson Schmidt]

I don't, but the '73 version is just boxed in.

[RatBox]

Just a thought . But in mid-1972 when they switched S spoilers from glass to steel.

I would think that they gave the newer steel part a different number. As i'm sure they still had glass units left in inventory to sell...and would want to differentiate between them. And they probably still made some glass units later for service pieces.

[andyjboy]

I agree with Ratbox - the first models fitted with the steel version of the 'S' bumper were:

911 230 0385 - Coupe

911 231 0231 - Targa

[blue72s]

Ratbox and Andy,

Wow, thanks for the info.

My car is 027* coupe but it is fitted with a steel bumper, albeit a messy one while the rest of the car is in good condition. I didn't realise that cars built before 0385 was equipped with a glass bumper. Why did Porsche change the material to steel? Did the glass bumper break too easily?

I need to buy a new bumper - should I get steel or glass?

[Matt Smith]

Interesting. I asked the question about glass S front spoilers a while back and was assured they never came with them!

I have a glass one on my early '72T (0339) with the S trim etc. and would be keen top know if it is an original example or repro. Anyone have pics of the genuine article?

[blue72s]

Is this 72 or 73? (steel)

[fryardds]

One of the issues with the glass front and rear spoiler for the Carrera RS was the problem of metallic paints couldn't be used on FB at that time. That may have one reason for the switch.

[blue72s]

Thanks but my car was not a metallic color. I believe that one of the previous owners changed the bumper.

Well, is that bumper in the above pic 72 or 73?

Hey, you got me thinking - maybe the real reason Porsche changed the material to steel was because they were experiencing problems with metallic paints on them, not because steel was a better material or something.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Learn something new every day. I thought only the early prototypes got the fiberglass S bumper. Didn't know they ever came on a production car.

I'd love to see the backside of a real one.

[j911brick]

Originally Posted by fryardds

One of the issues with the glass front and rear spoiler for the Carrera RS was the problem of metallic paints couldn't be used on FB at that time. That may have one reason for the switch.

Why? metalic paints have been used on FG since the '60s.

[andyjboy]

Porsche probably switched to steel S bumpers for ease of (mass) production & also quality control.

With the Carrera RS they only envisaged ever building 500 for homologation so it wasn't worth tooling up for a steel front bumper - besides they wanted to keep the weight down.

Brian's comments about paint problems with the grp ducktails is true - that's why no Carrera RS came originally with metallic paint - not for members of the public anyway.

[blue72s]

Originally Posted by andyjboy

the first models fitted with the steel version of the 'S' bumper were:

911 230 0385 - Coupe

#0342 with original steel bumper? :-

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/607650-sale-1972-911s-coupe.html

[arrivederci]

Is there any easy way to identify an original S fiberglass bumper from '72? I ask because I have my front bumper off right now, it came off my '72, and it is fiberglass. I don't have a cardex (maybe now is the time to get one)

[RatBox]

Originally Posted by blue72s

#0342 with original steel bumper? :-

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/607650-sale-1972-911s-coupe.html

You can never say never, but if the factory went to the trouble of noting the particular car numbers by body type in their records. I would be inclined to believe they were generally accurate. They did this with other parts changes through the years also (notated a part change mid-year by chaasis number per body type)

[blue72s]

Originally Posted by arrivederci

Is there any easy way to identify an original S fiberglass bumper from '72?

Look for the part number moulded inside.