corvette experts..

[RobM]

Ok I need some info from the corvette experts… does any one know any thing about converting a rubber bumper car into a metal bumper car? I see the repro front and rear ends are they easily grafted? Or even any good?

Thinking about a vette and don’t know a whole lot about them

[toxicz28]

Why not just get a metal bumper vette?

read here
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/

[RobM]

well rubber bumper C3s can be had for around 5-6k for a nice driver 3-4 for a project thats all there and thats not such the case with an earlier car.

[indyjps]

Im thinking the same thing, would be interested in the info

[vintageracer]

Lot's of stuff is different in the FRONTEND between a rubber bumper car and a chrome bumper car. The differences include the fiberglass frontend fiberglass, headlights, bumpers, grills, parking lights, frame horns, bumper support and brackets, inner fenders, side marker lights, vacuum hoses, vacuum control valves and location.

The rear end is totally different also. Rear frame section is completely different, bumper covers, tailights, mounting brackets, rear fiberglass clip is different, gas tank different, exhaust mounting and mufflers different, fuel lines different, wiring harness different and more.

Also please do not forget that all the rubber bumper covers and mounting substructure changed between most model years. The changes were especially severe each model year between the 73-75 model Corvettes and again for 80-82.

Why screw up a GOOD rubber bumper frontend if you have one. It's worth $1500-$2000 IF it's good to sell to some other FOOL who is fixing a wrecked 74-82 Corvette.

ANY Corvette from 74-82 thats hit in the frontend is basically a PARTS CAR since they are not worth repairing. I know that lot's of you will see that wrecked 74-82 Vette for sale for $3000.00 that's hit in the frontend and you THINK I can fix that cheap. NO YOU CAN'T! Run from those cars, they are parts cars! That $800 repo fiberglass frontend that sounds so cheap will ultimately cost you over $4000 by the time you buy all the OTHER parts you need to build the frontend, install the frontend and paint the frontend. And that's if you repair it STOCK!

Go buy a REAL chrome bumper car if that's what you want!

[RobM]

alright you are very convincing... and this is coming from a guy who does Porsche R/RS/RSR clones (and restorations of real ones), and race car builds for a living.

so with that being said what are some good sources for fender flares, or other race car type body pieces for rubber bumper cars. I want to build this car into a really simple and basic hot rod that goes like hell.

kind of like an RSR corvette if you will, fender flares and all

[vintageracer]

Modifying a car opens up a WHOLE nother avenue. The sky's the limit! If you REALLY want to get radical, call me as we have a 68 vette that has a complete Nascar type of chassis built out of a 68 Corvette chassis. Body work is with the car. Set up for a cell, 180 headers and more!

Ecklers still has flairs and other body work available. Also check with ACI (American Custom Industries) out of Ohio. They have the best aftermarket non original look fiberglass available. There is also a company out of Louisana that makes lots of unique body parts, frontends and flairs for C3's. The owner died 2 years ago but I think the wife still runs the business. Do an online search.

A Greenwood Corvette type of bodywork on the chassis and you would have would be a 200 MPH killer cool Corvette!

[RobM]

thanks for the info mike. I think I may end up creating a monster. If I find a good car thats in my price range

[RobM]

by the way... any one have any pictures of how a roll bar is configured in a C3?