Mounting bumpers

I think that "trimless" bumper style works best when there is no side trim at all, more outlaw, stripped down looking. Note the picture you posted shows a car without the rocker panel trim. I'd lose the rest of the trim up top as well, but that is just my useless opinion.

That bolt attaches the end of the bumper to another bracket, I believe. I noted that Tom Boney's newer Vintage had that same bumper bracket system, whereas my 2002 Vintage lacks that extra bracket at each end. If I would have had it, it might have saved my bumper from getting broken last summer.

I like the look.

James;

I have a CMC so I don't know if this holds true for your VS. The last bolt in mine holds the chrome/rubber trim piece in place, probably required due to the large bend in the bumper (same on the passenger side). Take care in bolt material selection, galvanized metal does not take paint very well. 

Art

Anybody with a Vintage have some pictures of those brackets for the end of the bumpers? I assume they go through the body and connect somewhere on the frame.

Thanks. I don't see them on the Vintage site.

Bob, I completely agree!  My plan is stone grey paint with no bumper or side trim. Bumper mounted driving lights.  Silver wide five wheels with long lugs, no hubcaps.  I'm going for a bit of the outlaw look.

I would like to see a picture of the brackets to help fabricate something.  Also, are they on the front and back?

Can I have your car when you're done please?

I've only seen the outer bolt to a FG body mount on VS (and maybe JPS) models.  CMC didn't use it.  I guess it might keep ends from vibrating but probably does little to strengthen the bumper.  

Well perhaps my speedsters PO, used VS bumpers, because there are certainly are bolts on both outboard ends of my front bumper.  The more I think about it, since the paper trail says the car was built in 2004 and there are what I think VS parts, perhaps I do have VS bumpers.

Art, Can you get me a picture of underneath the fender, showing the bolt/bracket and how it is attached? 

And I agree, Wolfgang.  My intention is just to stiffen up the ends to eliminate any potential vibration or sag.  To make "real" bumpers would require some more steel! 

James,  yes, but perhaps I wasn't clear.  I have bolts on the outboard ends, but they are not attached to any bracket. They just hold the rubber/chrome strip after that sharp bend. So that's not what your looking for?

Art,

I'm sorry, I misunderstood.  I am looking for a picture of the bracket.

Thanks for the clarification!

My VS was delivered last Nov and there are no brackets, just the bolt going thru a rubber cushion and the body.  I'm sure its just to dampen vibrations that might crack the bumper. With fiberglas bumpers there isn't much protection any way so I don't think outer brackets even if they went to the frame would do much.  You could use some large flat headed bolts that my bolt house calls elevator bolts and bond them to the back of the bumper with kitty hair or glass mat and use some shock absorber bushings to cushion them against the body. This would do the same thing as the car above without the bolt head going thru the bumper.  It might actually be stronger as I think eventually the head of the fastener will crack the paint around it.

Do you have a Fastenal in your city?  They have the elevator bolts in different lengths.

Thanks for the info!  I think that is what I will do, however I like the idea of polished stainless bolts thru the bumper.  And there is a Fastenal just down the road from work, one of my favorite stores!  lol

Are the extra support bolts only on the front bumper?  or both?

I just checked and the rear is the same as the front.

And what ever bumpers I may have, the rears match the front, with outboard bolts

Hi All,

i just mounted bumpers this past fall.  I used a 'L' bracket attached to the back of the bumper front and rear with carriage bolts as mentioned.  There is no need to put bolts on the end.  A fiberglass bumper really isn't that heavy after all.  I did use deco strips but I did mount the bumpers temporarily without the deco strip to align properly.  I kinda liked the clean look of it but wanted a more classic look. 

I always go by the notion that the least amount of holes drilled through something the better.  Four bolts is plenty.  If you don't already have brackets you can make some from bar stock from Home Depot and make them as long or short as you like.

good luck.

Frank