One of my next steps for my 1970 Cutlass 442 is bumpers. The ones that came with the car have a lot of rust spots.

I checked prices to re-chrome the bumpers with a local re-chrome shop in Austin, TX but the price I was quoted was $385 each and a time frame of 6 weeks.

I've found bumpers on-line ranging from $299 on Amazon (Auto_Parts_Depot) with free shipping to $440 on CARiD plus shipping.

CARiD even has 3 different prices for the rear bumper...$297, $375 and $440. Why such a big difference in pricing for the 3 bumpers?

Any advice on where to buy bumbers?

Not ever going to show the car, just want shiny chrome bumbers that looks good.

thanks,

Pat

 

$ 385 is a good price for re-chroming bumpers .
Have you seen the quality of their work ?
There are several advantages to re-chroming original 50 year old bumpers .
They are often thicker than " repro's " and THEY FIT !
A good chrome shop's quality is always better than " chinesium ".

If you do decide you want " repro's" , you may as well pick the cheapest source .
They probably all come out of the same shop in China .

 

From my own personal experience Tamraz has some really good quality bumpers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Cutlas...UAAOSwu4BVv6XW

 

Im thinking the reproduction bumpers all gotta come from the same place in Tiawan? AMD usually has them and they sometimes have sales. I think around 300 ea?
A good rechrome is pricey, I've seen as low as 385 (like you said) up to $1,000. The quality of a rechrome can obviously vary so you get what you pay for I guess. Shipping usually adds a bit too.

 

thanks for the info....One reason I am thinking about aftermarket for the rear bumper is because my car is a '70 Cutlass Supreme Convertible but before I bought it the previouse owner had already put on a new hood with scoops and a rear spoiler. So I am thiking I might go with a rear bumper for a 442 with the exhaust cutouts.

Other than the cutouts for the exhaust, are there any other differences betweeen the rear bumpers for 442 vs Supreme Convertible? Will they install the same with the same brackets, etc?

thanks,

 

Same bumper brackets.

 

I bought one of these. Seems like a nice one. I don't know how it will fit yet.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IN-STOCK-70...y/333305221163

I also got one of these too. Looks very nice as well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Cutlas...r/323909801997

 

Thanks....these are the best prices that I have seen especially with free shipping.

I will be needing the bumpers in about 6 weeks (painting should be finished by then). Please let me know if you find any issues during installation.

I see you live in Marble Falls....I'm just up the road from you in Buchanan Dam.

Do you have any/many '70 Cutlass Convertible parts available?

thanks,

Pat

 

Hi Pat. I had been watching them for awhile. When the price came down, I jumped on them.
Small world, you are only 20 mi. away or so. Most all my sheet metal is gone, but I have some small odds and ends left.
if you have some needs, let me know and I can scrounge around and see what's left. Looking forward to meeting one day, Adam.

 

Hi Adam, yea it is a small world. Looking forward to meeting you one day also.

Do you go to any car shows/gathering in MF?

Pat

 

They had one in town this past Sat. I wasn't able to make it though. They have one in Burnet every 1st Monday of the month I think at Atkisson Dodge - Chrysler. I thought they had one over in Kingsland in July or August maybe?

 

I got both front and rear from Olds Parts .com https://www.oldsparts.com/
They are stamped from Taiwan but Chromed here in the US. They are not Concourse quality but above the bar for drivers and show. They are triple plated.
I am more than pleased, they went on with out any problems. However for the rear tail lights I did have to ream out the holes for my tail lights to set in the openings to my satisfaction.

 

Thank you Tony....I'll check them out.

 

I bought mine from Tamraz and they're amazing. They are the same thickness and weight as the OEM, and the chrome was excellent. Having said that I've heard some orders have used a cheaper brand of bumper but I don't know the brand off the top of my head. Phone and ask what brand they will ship, then get back with us?

The obvious difference is the stock CS bumper didn't have cutouts. The 442 in 70/71 came with cutout bumpers. The reproduction ones I bought from Tamraz for my 72 fit perfectly and match the Assembly manual measurements for gap between quarter and bumper precisely. Fitting the bumpers is a time consuming exercise that requires patience. Tip: When you're dry fitting, use 2 or 3 layers of masking tape on the quarter panel to prevent scratching the paint as you adjust it. Remove the tape for a final fitment. 2 sets of hands on a bumper fitment is almost a necessity. It is for a front bumper - guaranteed.

 

Great advice Allen.

I am very concerned scratching/chipping the new paint job while I put everything back together.

 

I bought a rear bumper from them The ad said Golden Star, which I heard good things about. I specifically said I wanted that. They sent me AMD. I wasn't crazy about it. Body shop had to do some tweaking to get it to fit right & chrome was a bit wavy. Looked good from 10' but not up close.

 

Golden Star was the brand on the package I received for my 72 rear bumper. No complaints at all.

 

Hi Adam,

I am looking for a fender to raditor support brace for the driver side.



Any chance you have one of these for my '70 cutlass?

thanks,

Pat

 

Gotcha covered Pat. Not as purdy as the ones you posted though. Still not bad for 50 yrs old.

 

Bead blast that whole thing and it will clean up absolutely like new. Tip: bead blasting the rubber won't hurt it. Afterwards, condition the rubber with hand cleaner like Gojo and it will look absolutely new.

 

Hi Allan, how are you? Great tip, I will use that for mine when I get to that point, thanks.

 

I concur Allan, save, and refurb all of the parts you can...for 20 years, my first goal when restoring was save and reuse the original part..

 

I can spot repro bumbers from a mile away. If that’s something you care about I’d re- do or find originals.