69 original rear bumper identification

[abiddle]

Just my opinion for what it is worth. Not engraved in marble.

Thanks William - your and the other CRG member opinion is always worth plenty. That's exactly why I'm on this site everyday, reading most of the posts and trying to learn what I can - even when its about topics not related to mine. I'm pretty sure this site alone has increased the value of thousands of restorations.

Thanks Hans also for the detailed pics. There is a line that crosses through the rivet hole on both sides which caught my eye in your pics, and I took the same pic of this on mine. No proof that repros don't have this same line, but maybe something like this may be a subtle difference between an original and a repro.

[ZLP955]

Compare the weight of it with a known original. If it's significantly less, I'd say it's a reproduction. I compared 68 rear bumpers a few years ago and found some repro's weighing over 2 lbs less than an original.

Unless the latest repros have got heavier (which is a possibility), the weight is a good way to determine GM or not. I weighed my 69 rear bumper when this came up in a similar thread several years ago. Will have to see if I can find that thread and provide the URL.

[abiddle]

Unless the latest repros have got heavier (which is a possibility), the weight is a good way to determine GM or not. I weighed my 69 rear bumper when this came up in a similar thread several years ago. Will have to see if I can find that thread and provide the URL.

I couldn't find any info on this topic. I don't know if I'm just not good at searching, but it wouldn't be the first time I missed pertinent information on a topic. But if you find it, or anyone has a known original off their car, it would be great to add to this thread. I weighed mine at 11lbs 10oz. (stripped of all brackets and bolts). This would either be original or an older repro from > 15 yrs ago.

[1968 Z28]

Compare the weight of it with a known original. If it's significantly less, I'd say it's a reproduction. I compared 68 rear bumpers a few years ago and found some repro's weighing over 2 lbs less than an original.

Unless the latest repros have got heavier (which is a possibility), the weight is a good way to determine GM or not. I weighed my 69 rear bumper when this came up in a similar thread several years ago. Will have to see if I can find that thread and provide the URL.

Hi Tim....found a thread over on TC that you initiated about bumper weights.  Here tis....http://www.camaros.net/forums/34-restoration-corner/273385-69-rear-bumper.html

[Gars68Tux]

[quote

I couldn't find any info on this topic. I don't know if I'm just not good at searching, but it wouldn't be the first time I missed pertinent information on a topic. But if you find it, or anyone has a known original off their car, it would be great to add to this thread. I weighed mine at 11lbs 10oz. (stripped of all brackets and bolts). This would either be original or an older repro from > 15 yrs ago.
[/quote]

That seems awful light for a 69 bumper. This is an original 68 rear. Center bracket has been removed, I just stuck the rivets back in there, IIRC. 69 bumpers are wider of course.

[ZLP955]

That's the one, thanks Jerry!

[abiddle]

Yes after reading that thread on weight, a 69 should be 16+ lbs - no brackets. Mine weighs only 11+ lbs. So I'm looking for an original bumper core I guess, I'm certainly not spending money to rechrome this one. 

[68camaroz28]

And it appears you can buy reproduction rivets - just not sure where you can get them pressed in:

http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/14044/Camaro-Rear-bumper-bracket-rivets-pr-1967-1968-1969/

Hans and everyone, those rivets do not look correct to me for what my rivets looked like or have observed on other cars. Maybe I'm missing something! As you mentioned Hans the big deal is finding a press big enough. I'm in that boat now as we have original looking rivets but have to press in after our bumper was re-chromed.

I was WRONG on that one as they do have those lines. Mine due to rust and other I've looked at did not appear to have them and I thought they were more a smooth finish but not correct. But mine that I drilled out sure seemed like a smooth finish but again appears they did have a very slight rings.

[Hans L]

Relief!  Thanks for verify Chick.   Let us know if you find a place to press in the rivets. 

[abiddle]

I bought an NOS bumper off ebay which arrived today. the GM parts sticker is legit, but I'm sure it could have been moved from an original bumper. 12.5lbs. Wonder if I've been swindled... 

[Wolford]

Great discussion.  One question I have is there anyone out there that can straighten a rear bumper for a 69 camaro? 

[Tinkerr]

Just google Automotive bumper rechroming you'll get some hits. The companies have a jig they use to straighten the bumpers before rechroming. If you attend any of the large swap meets usually there are rechomers that bring bumpers they have already rechromed for resale.

[uscrichter]

I just had a '68 front and rear bumper re-chromed from Electro Plating of El Paso in El Paso Texas and they did both bumpers for around $400.00 and very nice work!

[z28z11]

Try these guys if you need a core - last time I checked they had a bazillion cores, will quote plating based on your core or they can furnish in some cases. The pic is from their web page, go to the price list page to see the expanded frame. Buncha metal - no wonder the magnetic north is shifting.

https://www.tricityplating.com/

Not cheap, but excellent quality. They used to bring a big trailer loaded with ready-to-go bumpers to the Nashville AACA swap meet, but I guess the trek and volume ended that. Lead times are long, but the work is very good, or used to be. It's been a few years -

Regards,
Steve