Bumpers

Bumpers of two types are fitted to most current cars on the road, chrome plated and painted, dependant on the model. Both are interchangeable. Bumpers are, however, distinctly front and rear and can’t be swapped even though they look superficially similar. Some models also have rubber overriders that also provide the inner mountings onto the irons via captive studs and some rears may also have an additional fixing at their outer ends. Very early models have a finer fluted type, but cars with this type are rare. Vans may be fitted with a tubular steel rear bumper. Bumper irons fit via long bolts through the extreme front and rear chassis channels. These bolts also secure the towing plates and also, if you have a UK type exhaust, the rear exhaust mounting where the original has survived. The bumper bolts are traditional chrome plated type items. They can have Stainless steel substitute items fitted and these will also avoid the metallic reaction that mild steel bolts may create. Replacement chrome bumpers are not of brilliant quality and will require a lot of looking after in a wet climate. Replacements aren’t cheap either (around 75 Euros each and probably pushing eighty or ninety pounds with postage from Europe.) and taking rough ones to a plater (around £70.00) may be as economic and more durable. Painted ones, cheaper at around 50 Euros, can be repainted to suit and are possibly a better bet for daily drivers that live outside.