71 Cuda Bumper, need some info.....

[Mopar_Mudder]

We put a reproduction tail panel on the Cuda from Goodmark. Now the Bumper that we had rechromed doesn't really match the curve of the tail panel. The tail panel has more curve to it then the bumper does. I don't think it is the tail panel because it lined up good with the trunk floor. So I am questioning if the bumper is the correct shape, they did some straightening on it when it was chromed. What would be helpfull is if some one that had a known to be correct rear bumper, could lay a straight edge from tip to tip across the rear top edge of the bumper and measure the the gap to the straight edge at the center of the bumper. This would give me and idea if the bumper it "too" straight.

Thanks for any help.

[Mopar_Mudder]

Dimensions of the curve on an original tail panel would also help if the bumper thing isn't possible......I just need to figure out if I have bumper issues or tail panel problems before I can go any further.

[Chryco Psycho]

typically they straighten the bumper when rechroming them , I will never figure out why they can`t leave them alone

[FY1Cuda]

 
We had Keystone (formerly Stockton Plating) do both front and rear bumpers for a 70 Challenger. When we got them back they went straight across without dipping down in the center.  We brought them back and when they said they were done, they suggesting we bring the car in for fitting.  We drove the car to the shop and had the guy fit the bumpers to the car by repeated heating and hammering.  When they were the right shape, they then sent them out again for more plating.  They were very accomodating, but it was a pain.

[Mopar_Mudder]

We had Keystone (formerly Stockton Plating) do both front and rear bumpers for a 70 Challenger. When we got them back they went straight across without dipping down in the center.  We brought them back and when they said they were done, they suggesting we bring the car in for fitting.  We drove the car to the shop and had the guy fit the bumpers to the car by repeated heating and hammering.  When they were the right shape, they then sent them out again for more plating.  They were very accomodating, but it was a pain.

That is good information to have, It was Keystone that did this bumper also. I was hoping to get a measurement first from someone so I could confirm that the bumper is not correct before I call them to see what steps can be made to get it fixed.

[heminut]

Mopar_Mudder, I laid a straightedge across my 70 Cuda (factory tailpanel) and get a 3/4" gap on each end at the outer edges of the tailpanel. Hope this helps.

[rallye73]

Tri City Plating did the same thing to the bumpers for a 70 Buick GS we were restoring. Buicks have many curves and contours to the bumpers. Never could get them to fit right. Scares me to even send my Chally bumpers out for chroming.

[Mopar_Mudder]

Mopar_Mudder, I laid a straightedge across my 70 Cuda (factory tailpanel) and get a 3/4" gap on each end at the outer edges of the tailpanel. Hope this helps.

Thank you much, that gives me something to compare mine to know so I know what to do next.

[tyler]

they straighten them so that when they are chromed, they are, straight!  same concept as painting over someone elses body work and trying to have a good representation of your work.  We use Sherms plating in california, and typically, they get the bumper first to strip them and straighten them, then send it back so i can fir it to the car, and since we do "custom" work, it gets sectioned and tucked into the body, all the bolt holes welded up, etc...then sent back to sherms.  the cool thing is that before the bumper gets touched, it is fit to the car, and i make adjustments, and they make a pattern of the bumper so they have the correct contour of it, etc...  so when it's done, we all know it will still fit.  sometimes it just takes quite a bit more communication with the chromer so that you're on the same page as them, otherwise, you very well might get a bumper back that doesnt fit anymore!