Finally after seven years my 68 is in the shop getting a top quality paint job.Now I face the question,re chrome the original bumpers,buy repops,or try and polish what I have? Any first hand experience with these? Also whats the ballpark figure you think a re chrome should cost for front and rear bumpers?

thanks
Tony

We put new bumpers on our '69 el Camino. They look good and fit fine. I'll tell you later about how well the chrome stands up.

How good do you want your car to look? Reproduction parts, including bumpers, should be the last resort. If your bumpers are in good condition, have them re-plated. It will cost you more than repro bumpers, but you get what you pay for. It all boils down to quality. Original or junk?

I replaced both my front and rear bumpers on my Nova with some Goodmark bumpers. They both look great. I bought the rear first fearing it might look crappy, but It looks as good as the original. So I went ahead and got the front as well. I wasn't dissapointed.:D

I have the org. bumper on my 70 Camino, Repo on the driver. When you stand 20-30 feet away from a 70 Chevelle with a REPO bumper....
I saw this at an AACA show in Kalamazoo, Mich. The bottom of my Camino bumper is held on with (round head) bumper bolts, The 70 next to mine had a REPO bumper. My bumper has square holes in the bottom for sqare headed bumper bolts the repo has round holes and was held on with Hex head bolts.------------ Its your call. If you want the org. look RE-CHROME your orgs. If it not an issue get a repo.
Bob

The ones I have bought from NPD were all good. I just bought a rear 70 Chevelle bumper from Lone Star Muscle Cars and it looked good as well. All my mounting holes were square and correct. Of course, you will want to buy the new mounting bolts to match the new bumper.

I just had a 67 El Camino bumper rechromed because aftermarket (rear) is not available for that model. When I compare that finish with the re-pops, I really don't see any difference. Maybe a no kidding, triple chrome, all out show job would be different. From many posts I have read it seems even big bucks and being very selective about the rechromer does not always yield good results.

In all honesty, I did have a little problem with the 70 rear bumper. The part of the bumper where the SS rubber pad goes had a slight curve instead of being flat, so the pad would not stick in that area and showed a small gap. I cured it by back drilling a couple of holes on the inside of the bumper and sucking up that part of the pad with sheet metal screws. The curve was very slight and If I had a regular Chevelle without the pad it would never be noticed.

Mike

I was eventually going to ask this question as well. To be more specific yet: are all repros created equal? I see I can get "2 for $295" from one vendor. That is cheaper than getting one of mine rechromed on my '68. Are the all made by one manufacturer, and I'm just seeing different prices from the vendors?

Rich

Tony Might be a good time to check out the Amherst NH swap meet. Plenty of guys that do rechroming . One old timmer up there From R.I. Does nice work

Mine looks good fit good and have square holes but they are thiner than originals and you can spot small waviness in em looking down the side looking straight on they are fine.

I would go with the repos.............as a last resort.

My goodmark rear 70 bumper looks & fits fine. I didn't get a chance to measure the thickness but it seems real close to the original.

LK

I went to a swap meet in NJ to purchase a rechromed GM front bumper for my 65 SS. I went to a vendor who was selling a GM rechromed front bumper for $330. I stopped at another vendor who was selling both front and rear repops for $299. I inquired as to the quality of the repops. I was told they where a thinner gage (fine as long as you don't plow snow) and that they where triple plated chrome (same as GM). Got them home and installed the front (all bolts where loose when installed and tighened after in place). They look fine to me but time will tell as far as quality of chrome goes.
Thanx,

1965 Malibu SS convertible
1965 Malibu SS hardtop/4-speed

I bought repros for my car but saved the originals - I plan on getting them rechromed and selling the repros later. I didn't want the bumpers to hold up finishing the car. Of course had I only known...

Thanks everyone for your input,it helps a lot to hear the various experiences.

BulkSS - I think I know the guy you are talking about,always has a table set up in the middle area.I will go talk to him.

Tony