73 240 front bumper question

[LanceM]

My front bumper is shot, has some rust through along with the holes that the rotted rubber hung on. I'm planning on making a mold and making a fiberglass replacement. I want to paint it anyway, and state law says I have to have a "bumper", not that the original did anything but dent or crush when you "bumped" something. So I'm going to make a mold and build one out of fiberglass.

My question is if there is anyone that would be interested in one? It's a case of I can make a one time use mold cheap or a production mold for more. My understanding is that '73 front bumpers are different than any other and are hard to come by. If I do make more understand that I won't have any till probably spring as this isn't a production run, more like one at a time between honey do's, just one Z guy helping another, and if it's a hassle there won't be any

No idea on costs until I make the first one. Anyway I'm really looking to see if there is any interest from anyone in need that doesn't know how to work fiberglass and needs a replacement. If nobody cares I'll make a one time mold and have mine.

Of course check your state laws for legality and all of those other disclamers

[LanceM]

I was thinking that maybe I should ask first if a glass bumper is available from someone already? That would save me a lot of work!

[2ManyZs]

MSA has them still listed in their catalog for 140 each... although on a 73 you would need to use the 70-72 mounts. With these mounts they would fit nice and tight to the body whereas the 73 bumpers stuck out further and had the rubber "fillers" behind the bumper face bar.

Dunno if MSA still has them or not....as hard as some of the fiberglass parts are to come by now, I kinda think they won't be available.

[LanceM]

Well if a 72 will fit I might just go that route, I was under the impression that only thing that would fit a 73 is 73. If I can easily retrofit a 72 than that will probably be a lot less work. Thanks, It's been a month and I'm still waiting for my MSA catalog....

[26th-Z]

During the life of my Z, the original bumpers took their dings and eventually rusted. I filled and painted them a metallic charcoal to match the grill and tail light valance. They were simple bumper bars with no guards or rubber. They looked real good like the chrome ones I have now. Perhaps you would like the same treatment.

[LanceM]

I've been looking at options, I've been thinking of grinding and filling then a light glass coat and painting. I'm not getting her out till spring so I have time to weigh my options. I was thinking that filling it might last along time as long as it isn't hit, and with an early Z bumper, getting hit usually distroyed it anyway....

[26th-Z]

Yea - that's why I bought the chrome bumpers.

[LanceM]

Ohhhh I hate it when that happens !!