Novice89

Title, should I get a new bumper or rechrome mine? I lived in San Francisco/Daly City for a few years during college and didn't take as good of care as I should have. The rear bumper has quite a bit of rust, would appreciate more expert opinions.

No matter your suggestion any places I should check out for this service? Rechromeing or ordering a new bumper that is.

MonsterBilly

Well, I look at it like this. The factory numbers were built to loose soecs. They are not very solid nor molded close to the body. With this being said, new bumpers are about the same.
So it really doesn't matter unless it matters to you.
See how much new one are. Maybe let price make the decision for you.

Mach428

NEVER EVER let loose of original Ford parts. The re-pops are not anywhere near the quality of the factory bumpers. Have your original straightened and rechromed. It is money very well invested.

fastbackford351

^what he said^

Is the bumper an original?

I was forced to replace my rear bumper on the fastback and now every time I look at the replacement bumper I have to choke back the tears. My bumper was 40+ years old when that clown rear ended me and it looked almost as good as new with just enough patina to let you know that it was the real deal.

Now my replacement bumper is just over 5+ years old and it is spotted with rust and looks like ***.

Novice89

I believe the bumper is original but I'll take a picture and post it here tomorrow morning when the suns out. Yeah it sounds like everyone pretty much thinks originals are the way to go and that it may cost more now but will last longer and looks better so I'll bite the bullet and probably go that route. Thanks everyone for weighting in.


There were only two owners before myself, an old lady had it her entire life then sold it to the lady I bought it from in like 2006 I believe. So I'm the third owner. Think everything is original aside from the engine which was replaces in like 1990 or something, and the paint was originally yellow but sky blue when I bought it.

alan0614

If it's original and date code correct I would rechrome it. If it's like mine and a replacement I would just buy new. There is a date code on the bottom side if it is original.

http://blog.virginiaclassicmustang.c...mper-date.html

Novice89

After carefully checking the bumper is not original so I will be going with reproductions. Thanks for your help everyone!

Mr. D

Having restored quite a few cars, rechroming a fairly good bumper will give you much better quality chrome if you care about that, but will likely cost more than a reproduction! Proper rechroming is labor intensive! It depends on what your plans are for the car. Restoring or just a nice driver? A lot of reproduction parts are not of great quality. I've gotten a lot of reproduction parts that were produced in China for "red, white & blue American Restoration Parts Companies". They were more trouble than the savings were worth. A bumper is simpler, but they repros are usually done with cheap flash plating unlike chroming of decades ago.

Hope this helps!

Mach428

Agreed with Mr D 100%. If you plan on keeping the car, the value of the vehicle will largely depend on how many original Ford parts are still intact. A car with mostly repro parts will not be worth as much. JMO

You can always buy original Ford bumpers on Ebay. If it was me, I would look for one in the best shape and have it rechromed. I did for both of my Mach 1's. Hell one of them had holes for a trailer hitch!! But after proper rework and rechrome, they are now show pieces.