Fiberglass front bumper on a `72 cuda-painted standard style or rubber look?

[torredcuda]

Trying to lighten the cuda and also change the look by adding a fiberglass AAR hood and possibly a fiberglass bumper.Which bumper would look better?

[4Cruizn]

I voted for chrome!   

[Oldschool]

I like the look of the chrome the best, but I voted for "other ideas".  I know you are trying to lightn her up and fiberglass would accomplish that.  If you could get another metal one (in order to keep your stock one) and have it acid dipped to make it THIN and light.  Then get the dipped one chromed.  The best of both worlds---lightweight AND chrome........          

[422STROKER]

If you want chrome and light there is a guy on Moparts I think that sells chrome plated fiberglass bumpers.  Someone will have a link.

Tom

[SilverChally]

I like body color on e-bodies

[willhaven]

Body color elastomeric-style bumpers in my opinion. They're not year-correct, but who cares?

[vinb]

Chrome first, and if you have a million dollars those the original factory rubber ones...but not de-chromed painted..

[Jacksboys]

I have always liked the crome look, but it is your car.  Also Tom has a good idea with the chrome plated fiberglass version if you really need to lighten it up.

[torredcuda]

I like the ideas of lightened chrome steel or chrome fiberglass.I do like painted rubber style ones on certain models just not sure how it would look on a `72.   

[422STROKER]

Here is a site for chrome fiberglass                                             <<chromeandpowdercoat.com>> 



Tom

They sell the bumpers as well.

Can't get the link to work but it's the correct address.    

[360 'CUDA]

I put a rubber replica on my '72 and it really changed the look.  It made the grille look narrower and it gives the car a less blunt more pointed look.

I will look around for a pic

[Travis72]

Here's two pictures of the AAR fiberglass bumper mocked up on my 72.  For what it's worth, I'm planning on painting it body color.





Travis

[360 'CUDA]

 

[torredcuda]

Ok,now I really like Travis72s cuda and the way the bumper is contoured into the fender.I`ll make some lightwieght brackets for it also. 

[Travis72]

Thanks.  Yeah once it and the lower valance are painted it should look pretty good (plus the grille needs painted since I had to repair a hole in it).  I fiberglassed in bolts to the back of the bumper.  Then I made some brackets out of aluminum (haven't welded them yet though).  FYI, I have no idea how it will hold up to street use, since the car has only been pushed around since those pictures were taken.

I'm big on making the car as light as possible and so I was interested in what everything weighed.... so I weighed everything with my trusty bathroom scale.  The stock front bumper was 15 lbs (I figured it was heavier), what shocked me though was the stock massive bumper brackets and bolts were also 15 lbs 

The AAR bumper weighed 5 lbs.     I didn't weigh my aluminum brackets, but someday when they're welded I will.  I bet they are only a pound or two with the bolts.  So I figure it will end up saving 20 - 23 lbs, right off the very front of the car.

Travis