1968ragtop

are these hard to find? does anyone make a reproduction of the 68 442 bumper? TIA

allyolds68

I have a 68 442 core but you're a long way away & I'd rather have someone inspect it before buying it sight unseen.

BAP is listing them. No one has spoken up yet on any of the Olds forums to say if they're any good or not.

dejavu442

I have the front bumper from BAP and it looks great. I ordered the rear bumper with the 442 exhaust cutouts and still is on backorder from November.

malibu406

I looked at the 68 front and rear bumpers and the 69 front bumper at the Canton OH swap meet last year. They do not look as good as a rechromed originals (as expected), but they were much better than the dynacorn ones we just put on a 69 Chevelle. The Chevelle bumpers for junk. Wavy, spotty chrome, dents, grinding marks, and inconsitent lines. Another friend bought a set for a 70 Nova, they were junk too. The chrome was almost Satin and the bumper was really wavy. But, as I said, the Cutlass bumpers looked better. I don't remember the brand, but I do remember they were a Goodmark distributer.

There was a posting last year where a member, maybe dejavu442, provided pictures of the front bumper in response to me asking the same question. Try searching on my user name to find it.

allyolds68

Here'e a little update;

I was at Fusick yesterday and Steve took me back to see the 68 front bumpers. It was nice and straight but you can't really tell without putting it on the car. The bumpers is probably 3/4 of the weight of an original.

Rears are at least a few weeks out. He wasn't sure when they were coming in. So I'd say dejavu442 is going to be waiting a while longer.

He told me the same manufacturer is doing them all. There was a "made in Taiwan" on the box.

1968ragtop

thanks for the info, keep us up to date if you hear anymore!

GoodOldsGuy

I rechromed mine back in '88. None were available and I wanted a high quality chrome job done. I am sure todays replacements are not even close in thickness of metal. JMHO.

GOG

Lalo442

Saw this on 442.com

4/7/2011 1968 and 1969 Cutlass, 442 and Wagon Front and Rear Bumpers. We are reproducing all of the 1968 and 1969 Cutlass and 442 front and rear bumpers. The 1968 front bumpers, the 1968 Cutlass and 442 rear bumpers and the 1969 Cutlass and 442 rear bumpers are in stock now for immediate 3 day delivery to any address in the lower 48 states. Manufactured in new CNC machined tooling, the fit and finish of these new bumpers is AMAZING! Suitable for use at any level. $439 outright, no core exchange needed. 1969 Cutlass and 442 front bumpers will be done by early August, call to reserve one at no charge. Get a free catalog at http://Members.***.net/123webspace/catalog.pdf Oldsparts@Oldsparts.com 1-800-442-PART (7278) or 913-851-7977 Overland Park ks http://members.***.net/123webspace/catalog.pdf

allyolds68

Personally I'd order from Fusick. If the bumpers aren't aren't available they won't take your money and jerk you around. I know they (the 68 rears) still weren't available 3 weeks ago.

dejavu442

first of all, let me speak facts and let the rest sling all they want. First BAP does not charge your card until products ship. Second, they have been in business 31 years and have the finest warranty on products that I have seen. Third, comments like they appear, they seem, are nothing but ASSUMPTIONS. Fine, but say it as it is don't say it is a fact.

The bumper from BAP appears nice and I see no apparent flaw. Is it lighter than stock? Possibly, but not by much. Does that have any positive or negative on a 3800 lb car? Once again draw your own conclusions. Are the bumpers DOT certified? The front bumper that I received has a DOT sticker you can make your own assumptions from that.

I was near the first on the waiting list for front and rears. I received the front about 2 months ago and just received the phone call stating that the rear was shipping and that my card was being charged. Nice customer service in my book.

Lastly, I am not sure of guidelines around here so I won't state what was the manufacturer/supplier of the bumper was, but , I will state that it was from a well known wholesale house. Yes, the country of manufacturer was Taiwan. Big deal, what isn't?

If you are not a purist, what is all the hoopla about? Even if you are a purist and you have something rechromed is that TECHNICALLY pure? Clearly if it is rechromed it is restored, certainly not original, and definately not OEM.

Hey each his own, I just enjoy 442s.

dejavu442

for anyone that is interested, I received the rear bumper 2 weeks ago, so they are shipping now

allyolds68

Is it a decent fit? I know even my re-chromed one was sprung a little.

GoodOldsGuyDougie

They are also making the 69 front and rears but with that said I'd go for a original if at all possible. I rechromed both of my originals and exchanged the rear for a mint rechromed 442 rear. My total for everything was $1000. Not that bad now a days. I have seen some 1970 repros that look great though.

dejavu442

well, I have to admit when I am wrong. I have changed my mind on these bumpers. The chrome on the bumpers are showing beginnings of pitting and would need a re-chrome soon. Going to that trouble (and expense) I would have opted for re-chrome of OEM bumpers. No shortcuts I guess...

allyolds68

Someone recently posted on FB that they "heard" there were quality issues but you're the first that I've heard on a major forum report about it.


FWIW I paid $325 to have mine re-chromed at Sandy's in Syracuse NY. I knew that they don't do a show quality job but mine are starting to look crappy after five years too. I lightly bumped into something and the chrome chipped around one of the bumper bolts. There is no crease in the bumper at all. To get a really quality triple chrome job it seems you're talking $600-700 each now.

joe_padavano

I've inspected these repro bumpers myself at various vendors at Carlisle. There is quite a bit of quality variability. I've seen some that look nice. I've seen others that had visible grinding marks under the chrome. Unfortunately, there was no rhyme or reason, so I'd suggest buying one at a show like Carlisle if possible so you can inspect it before purchase.

kansjfr

I bought both front and rear bumpers from Tamraz and it was about $650 for both together, and both look fine, no waviness or grinding marks, and fit was no problem.