Split Bumper GT to Fit Better

[blancojp]

Howdy All!

Does anyone has a picture of the front split bumper GT.

I have looked but can't one that I can use.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by blancojp Howdy All! Does anyone has a picture of the front split bumper GT. I have looked but can't one that I can use.

Here ya go Juan....you'll have to look close, but, you can see the split it the middle of the bumper

[Phoenix]

Pictures never can catch it right. Seen a few pics of 68s and early 69s and all it ever comes out as is a line in the middle of the bumper.

[rrossjr]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Here ya go Juan....you'll have to look close, but, you can see the split it the middle of the bumper

I keep looking, but I have yet to see a car in this picture!
Ron in Indy

[broszzy]

Three nice curvy bodies, but no car!

[CDN OpelNut]

this one is from the site tagged on the photo

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Here ya go Juan....you'll have to look close, but, you can see the split it the middle of the bumper

You know, I can barely see the car in this picture!

The reason for the question is that I mounted the bumper on Stealth yesterday, to fit all components on the front end. I found that on the area where the bumper curves into the front fender, I have a separation or gap of about 1" on both sides. I know the Gargoyles did not reshape the front since very little work was done in that area but still, the bumper does not fit properly.

I have 4 front bumpers here and all are in the same boat. So my only choice is to cut and fit the bumper in place. Only other scenario is to space the front center of the bumper from the bar to close the outer gaps in. But then I would have a large gap in the front of the car.

I did have a similar problem with the rear bumpers which I had to add 3" to the length and weld in the bumperettes. But this was solely to the extended length of the rear lights.

Anyone faced this problem previously?

[ungermm]

Must be a case of shrinkage.

I think the situation of the bumper not fitting correctly is a common one. Try bolting one side in and then push the other side of the bumper end really hard toward the body and bolt that end in. You should end up with about 1/2 inch gaps around the side extensions.

Bisecting a bit of the centerline of the bumper would make a nicer fit. Maybe testing that with a throw away bumper might be better than with a nice one.

Jerry

[First opel 1981]

Keep in mind that cutting a bumper would expose the base metal of the bumper and add a place for rust to start.

I think Opel GTs shrink over time. I know they sure seem to be smaller now than when I was 18.

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by ungermm Must be a case of shrinkage. I think the situation of the bumper not fitting correctly is a common one. Try bolting one side in and then push the other side of the bumper end really hard toward the body and bolt that end in. You should end up with about 1/2 inch gaps around the side extensions. Bisecting a bit of the centerline of the bumper would make a nicer fit. Maybe testing that with a throw away bumper might be better than with a nice one. Jerry

Tried that already and I end up far worst.

I have a mock up of the front nose area since the Gargoyles are working on a custom steel nose for the car. My front geometry has no place to go since it was beefed up during the chassis work. Needless to say, something is a foot because 4 different bumpers can't be all bad.

Since the look of the nose will resemble an old ferrari when finished, I believe my best bet is to cut the bumper and make two pieces. Each piece will end where the bumperette is mounted and all welded as a single piece unit per side. I did the same to the rear bumpers and all of the gaskets, bolts and so on wen't away leaving a solid piece to guard the car.

Well, I never said this build was going to be easy........

[GTJIM]

I have tested the fit of several front bumpers as well - all have the approx 20 to 25mm space between the inner edge of the bumper and the side of the body work.

I brought one bumper over here cut in half (for easy Air mail postage!) and when fitted close to the body about 15mm had to be removed from the centre (where it was cut in half) and the outer mounting holes had to be slotted a similar amount to fit the mounting brackets. The least bump and it would end up into the body work.

I am becoming convinced that Opel made them that way to ensure minor side bumps or scrapes did not force the bumper into the bodywork ...
Sound reasonable??

PS: the stainless bumpers from Vietnam fit very much the same as stock Opel front bumpers.

Link to post with pics of split front bumper off car:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/117159-post12.html

[ungermm]

Originally Posted by blancojp I believe my best bet is to cut the bumper and make two pieces. Each piece will end where the bumperette is mounted and all welded as a single piece unit per side.

Sounds a little like what I did this week. I took a couple beat up rear bumpers and cut them down, welded in parts from extra bits (fangs) from I don't know what that I had laying around and ended up with this. Not sure, but I think it will look OK. Next week I'll be working on fabricating a custom ferrari type grill. Fang might just be what I end up calling it.


72 OpelGT 045.jpg

"I am becoming convinced that Opel made them (front bumpers) that way to ensure minor side bumps or scrapes did not force the bumper into the bodywork ...Sound reasonable??" GTJIM
That makes sense to me, too. The bumper under tension would be less likely to be pushed in.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by ungermm Sounds a little like what I did this week. I took a couple beat up rear bumpers and cut them down, welded in parts from extra bits (fangs) from I don't know what that I had laying around and ended up with this. Not sure, but I think it will look OK. Next week I'll be working on fabricating a custom ferrari type grill. Fang might just be what I end up calling it. Attachment 20793 "I am becoming convinced that Opel made them (front bumpers) that way to ensure minor side bumps or scrapes did not force the bumper into the bodywork ...Sound reasonable??" GTJIM That makes sense to me, too. The bumper under tension would be less likely to be pushed in.

Interesting, your bumperette look a little like Manta/Ascona ones and reminds me of the quarter bumpers that a few people were talking about on the Irmsher Manta.

[blancojp]

Thanks guys!
I thought I was the only one that had the problem since the Gargoyles are notorius in changing shapes and curves without telling me.

The idea that M came up with was to make the front look like an early corvette, split the bumper and mold the bumperette in at the location where the twin scoops are. The car will get a different style nose but will also maintain the Opel shape so it will look like it came from factory this way. The two new opennings on the lower side will have individual grills so will look like a shark from the front when going down the road.

Stealth will be highly modified but will still maintain all of the Opel features. There are other mods Greg wants to make, like moving the side markers to the front, making them flush and parallel to the nose scoop. This will look extreemly good but that will defeat the purpose of maintaining the Opel features.

I guess I will have to start cutting and fitting on this area.