1968 Split Front Bumper

[BMWonly]

I just found the following eBay listing in Germany:

Stoßstange vorn neu und original OPEL GT,selten und rar bei eBay.de: Oldtimer-Teile (endet 18.06.08 19:55:25 MESZ)

Brand new split front bumper for EUR 919 (plus shipping), in case one of you is interested. All in German, but I am glad to help. Let me know.

This guy has a lot of other GT parts listed, new and used, very interesting.

Dieter

[West Coast GT]

Does anyone have a photo, or a link, to a photo of a split front bumper on the GT?

I'm real curious how it looks. I find them interesting on other cars.

[OpelGT-de]

Originally Posted by West Coast GT Does anyone have a photo, or a link, to a photo of a split front bumper on the GT? I'm real curious how it looks. I find them interesting on other cars.

L@@k. 68 GT

[grslightng02]

What is the point of a split bumper?

[namba209]

It's just a rarity, there are so few to be seen, only used on 68 and 69 GTs.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by grslightng02 What is the point of a split bumper?

I think the original idea may have been for damage. If one side got damaged in an accident, then that side could just be replaced. But, Opel, in their frugalness decided to do a one piece, but, this is just my thoughts.

[Paul]

Maybe the split bumper was more of a function of having a die/press available in time for early production that could make the complete bumper. And, to get into production early, they were able to make 2 halfs easier than a full one...

[PROPEL]

Originally Posted by BQS4 I think the original idea may have been for damage. If one side got damaged in an accident, then that side could just be replaced. But, Opel, in their frugalness decided to do a one piece, but, this is just my thoughts.

Yeah, but I believe the two sides are reversible; so Opel only had to make one part. (I would need to check out my split bumper to confirm, but it's presently in storage).

Though perhaps it was a labor issue in regards to the time involved for installing both pieces? Another reason might be that the seam between the two halfs can vary somewhat and not look as finished.

[69opelgtfvr]

I can't tell from the picture of that greeen GT if the two halves are welded together or if the seam is joined by a bushing or something. The picture on ebay looks as if some piece fits between each side.

[BMWonly]

One of our friends here (Norbert - opelgtworld) collected some nice pictures from original Opel commercials and ads. Check out

Opel GT World

and click on "Zeitreise", then "Zeitreise 1". The first picture shows how they fit it - no welds or bushings.

Dieter

[69opelgtfvr]

Okay, thanks! The joint between each side is barely visible, and each part just sits flush.
I enjoyed perusing that website, he has collected many unique pictures...

[Dennis Texas]

Originally Posted by West Coast GT Does anyone have a photo, or a link, to a photo of a split front bumper on the GT? I'm real curious how it looks. I find them interesting on other cars.

if you took a regular bumper and cut it in half thats exactly what it looks like it was on 68 and early 69 models

[Dennis Texas]

Originally Posted by PROPEL Yeah, but I believe the two sides are reversible .

not reversible that I know of bolt holes are underneath the bumper if you switched them the holes would be on top.

[PROPEL]

Originally Posted by Dennis Texas if you took a regular bumper and cut it in half thats exactly what it looks like it was on 68 and early 69 models

Except that the tip where they join will be more pointed than rounded as on the one-piece.

Originally Posted by Dennis Texas not reversible that I know of bolt holes are underneath the bumper if you switched them the holes would be on top.

Whoops, thanks... I forgot about that!

[West Coast GT]

I thought perhaps it would look something like the other split bumpers of it's day; Jag E Type, Camero, Cobra.

[tomcat]

The split front bumper has 2 bolt holes in the middle that the full one doesnt have. That also means the bumper bracket has 2 more holes. Got one right here in front of me.