Aftermarket bumper cost vs finding a factory and rechroming
July 7th, 2019, 01:55 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Uxbridge, MA
Posts: 134
Aftermarket bumper cost vs finding a factory and rechroming
Hi all
so I need a new bumper sir my 72 442 w/350
it is a driver and not ever going to be a show car. Is a re-pop decent enough? I worry about fitment etc. I am fine with finding an original and rechroming but also wonder what the price difference is. Can an original with minor dents be fixed? I was told yes but that seems like if you go through all that and it’s still not straight you are SOL. Any thoughts of info from either side would be helpful.
For what it’s worth mine is not notched and I’d like to switch to notched well just because even though it’s not stock.
mine was hit and hammered out and drives me crazy!
thx to all
so I need a new bumper sir my 72 442 w/350
it is a driver and not ever going to be a show car. Is a re-pop decent enough? I worry about fitment etc. I am fine with finding an original and rechroming but also wonder what the price difference is. Can an original with minor dents be fixed? I was told yes but that seems like if you go through all that and it’s still not straight you are SOL. Any thoughts of info from either side would be helpful.
For what it’s worth mine is not notched and I’d like to switch to notched well just because even though it’s not stock.
mine was hit and hammered out and drives me crazy!
thx to all
July 7th, 2019, 02:11 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 1,846
There's a pretty linear money to quality correlation.
Purchasing a decent OE bumper and getting a good rechrome would, in my experience, start at $600. Show quality work can easily hit $1k, especially if any notable repairs are necessary.
The repops fit just fine. I had a very frustrating problem with the front bumper (one of the turn signal buckets was welded in wrong). It's normal to need to bend the tail light mounting ears and hog out the holes so you can get the lights placed correctly. Nothing big, a 10 minute job. The chrome on the repops is never perfect - there will be some minor waves - but IMO perfectly fine for a car you want to enjoy.
Just inspect the bumper extremely closely. I received one where the nickle and chrome had peeled off in some very small strips. Hard to see, but would start to corrode and compromise the entire bumper quickly. All the vendors are good about quickly shipping out replacements - it's built into the price......
I think the aftermarket horror stories are behind us, especially if you choose one that explicitly states it is chromed or at least QC'd stateside.
Purchasing a decent OE bumper and getting a good rechrome would, in my experience, start at $600. Show quality work can easily hit $1k, especially if any notable repairs are necessary.
The repops fit just fine. I had a very frustrating problem with the front bumper (one of the turn signal buckets was welded in wrong). It's normal to need to bend the tail light mounting ears and hog out the holes so you can get the lights placed correctly. Nothing big, a 10 minute job. The chrome on the repops is never perfect - there will be some minor waves - but IMO perfectly fine for a car you want to enjoy.
Just inspect the bumper extremely closely. I received one where the nickle and chrome had peeled off in some very small strips. Hard to see, but would start to corrode and compromise the entire bumper quickly. All the vendors are good about quickly shipping out replacements - it's built into the price......
I think the aftermarket horror stories are behind us, especially if you choose one that explicitly states it is chromed or at least QC'd stateside.
July 7th, 2019, 04:13 PM
#5
'72 Cutlass ragtop
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 943
I purchased an AMD 442 rear bumper for my '72 ragtop a few months ago - as noted, I did spend some time fitting the tail light buckets into it but no major feat - the bumper fits and looks GREAT for an under $300 investment..
Purchased it through an EBAY sale from AMD - free shipping and no regrets! here's a review I posted shortly after the install.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...review-133409/
Purchased it through an EBAY sale from AMD - free shipping and no regrets! here's a review I posted shortly after the install.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...review-133409/
Last edited by 70sgeek; July 7th, 2019 at 04:19 PM.
July 7th, 2019, 08:03 PM
#6
Gary
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston,Tx
Posts: 1,202
This is a really good after market bumper. Bought one myself a few years ago.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-7...kAAOSw96ZcCtX9
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-7...kAAOSw96ZcCtX9
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