Front end cover, aka "bra"

Ok guys, I know I've seen posts about this topic, but a couple of searches didn't turn anything up, so I'll bring it up again.

After about 1500 miles I've already got some significant paint chips on the front of my car. I'm NOT a happy camper. Does anyone have a particular recommendation for a bra for Speedsters? The only one I can find is Colgan, which will not accept a returned bra if it doesn't fit a replica. Also, I have the driving lights, which will conflict with the bra. And finally, they only have a one-piece which means you'd have to move it out of the way to open the hood/trunk/front thingy to put gas in it.

I've thought about the clear plastic film, but I had some bad experiences with that on my Acura, so I'm a little skeptical.

Can somebody help a brutha out?

im having a 3 piece custom made as we speak,
there is one piece for the hood,
one piece for the bumper
one piece for the bumpers and front end below the hood.
they are making it witha color that is very close to my car vs std black.
the prototype had cut outs for the hood embelem as well as for bumper guards
ill post a pic

HERE IT IS

THEY ARE MAKING MINE WITH OUT THE BUMPER GUARD CUTOUTS AND EMBELM CUT OUT.
IT LOOKED NICE WITH THE PROTOTYPE ON MY CAR AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO REMOVE IT TO OPEN THE HOOD FOR GAS

Very nice, Gerd. Can you share the shop's name?

Definitely want their contact info. I would need some cut outs on the bumper for the driving lights, but otherwise it'd be the same. Thanks!

As a person who generally purchases used cars, I really appreciate an original owner who uses their bra regularly! I've also noticed that a lot bras scuff the paint, causing equivalent damage as bad as rock chips would. I suppose the bras I see on vintage 911s are made a bit better than the J. C. Whitney stuff I've seen on Mustangs and Cameros.

I've always heard that you don't want to leave them on wet as it will damage the paint. The better fitting ones won't flap-damage the paint, and supposedly the more expensive ones have felt-like stuff underneath to prevent scuffing the paint. Part of me is thinking about the clear film although I've had mixed results in the past. All I know is I need to do something soon. It's amazing how bad the road debris is around here.

David, I have a Colgan and it works just fine with no paint issues and is high quality on both sides. They made slips for the driving lights and have an option for a front tag. On Dale Bate's suggestion I use blue painters tape on the fender well edges where the stretch clamps fit. My only issue with it (small) is that I have to unclamp the bra from a fender in order to pump gas. That's what I like in the design in the pic above (this thread).

options to the vinyle bra is the clear bra, cost more, but looks factory, see if you can spot the factory edge on hood, fender, top of door, side rockers?? Cabanaboy - Happy Thanksgiving

I am also looking for a "Bra" for my car. Should I opt for the Colgan
where is the best place to purchase it?

Thanks,

Dean

Jim, how'd you get the driving light slots put on? Did they take measurements from you or do they just "know"?

Desi, I don't suppose you'd fly over to the east coast to install it, would you? Just kidding. I know of no one around here that's not affiliated with a dealership who does it, and I've already had less than stellar results doing it myslef on another car. Do you know of a kit specific to 356's, or did you do it custom?

I used a colgan bra that I bought new off Ebay for $10. Its half a dozen of one and six of the other. There's so much dust here that it gets under the bra no matter what and you've then got fine sandpaper working on your skin. Compounding takes some out but you just can't keep that up forever or you'll go thru the clearcoat.

But then the road rash here is big too. The Vinyl protection on my Passat is useless against what we have on the roads here. Chips right through the vinyl and into the paint. Fixing those paint chips with touch up looks like crap.

It comes down to do you want to fill in stone chips or do you want to deal with a sanded finish?

Brian

Lane, I don't know about Becks but Kirk at VS sells a really good fitting one for the VS cars. Call him and ask if it would fit yours. We love the way it fits. Gary Turner

The VS BRA won't fit the Beck, the brackets for the bumper are in different places.

Pat

Brian, I had the same problem on my Acura with the clear film that you described. After several pecks going through the film, the paint, and the primer, I gave up and removed it. I plan to get the hood and front fascia repainted in another couple of years. I don't want to do that for the Speedster though. I guess that's why I'm leaning toward the bra. It sounds like the Colgan is about the only option if I go that route.

THE NAME OF THE COMPANY IS WARDLOW AND IS LOCATED IN LONG BEACH
HERE IS THE WEBSITE LINK
http://www.wardlowbras.net/

I want to share with you all my experience with my 240Z bra..I left the bra on at all times, so when it rained the water would get trapped under it and it really messed up my paint job..also dirt from the road would get trapped and it would scratched on the paint...so NO bra's for me!! ~Esther

Lane -

As Jim Ward replied, a properly fitted 'bra' for your car will offer the best all-around protection. Also, as instructed by the manufacturer, they are intended to be used primarily when traveling at highway speeds and not to be left on permanently (trapped moisture/dust can cloud/scuff paint). In my experience, Colgan (the originator of the 'bra') is the best. I've used one on each of the Pcars I've owned without problems.

IMHO, with all things considered the $100-120 cost of a new Colgan is your best bet.

BTW - To simplify your situation, I would suggest buying a quality bra from Colgan (to fit 356 w/bumper no bumper guards, turn signal cut-outs and an extra fender clamp for each side for a total of 3 clamps per side) and have a local upholstery shop make the cut-outs for your particular fog/driving lamps. Colgan used to have 356 bras with fog lamp 'cut-outs' but have since stopped because of the myriad variations of auxilliary light placement.

Peace - Out!

Why is it that the cover that goes over the front of the car is called a bra?? Bra is something girls wear, not cars!! I have always been curious about this....~ Esther

"the front of the car"

It all goes back to the '55 Caddy. The one with those big ol' . . um . . . hmmmmm . . . ahhhh . . . well, the one with the front bumper . . .

Madonna -- Madonna -- Madonna ...
http://www.chr.ee/caddy/rutua_55_1.jpg

Cory, that Caddy needs a pair of Madonna style Road Cones!

The 55 Caddy had what were call Dagmars on the front grill and bumper for you youngsters. Dagmar was a TV personality of the 50's who was blond and featured a pair of pre silicone, well you know. She was a must see for us teens at the time.

I call mine a "BRO", because my car is a boy car

Sounds like someone's been watching Seinfeld reruns.

It's called a JOCK STRAP Vinnie, not a BRO! Scheesh!

There are a number of clear films that are being used extensively in the motorhome industry. Diamond Shield is the most common. They are clear, almost totally invisible and protect the paint on expensive diesel pusher motorcoaches which also suffer from all too common paint chips. You have to look really close to see any evidence of the film. The biggest advantages are these films DO NOT change the look of the vehicle at all, no scuff marks ever, and do a great job protecting against chips! The film can also be removed with no damage to the paint.

http://www.diamond-shield.com/car.htm

In extensive experience with it on motorhomes, it really performs well. I have not had it installed it on my speedy yet and do not know if they have a pattern (even though they say they have a pattern for "every year, make and model car"), but I think it would be the way I will go. I don't really like the look of a bra. No pattern is not a big problem. There are many motorhomes without patterns. An experienced installer can do a great job without a pattern, but it does add to the cost.

Desi (Cabanaboy), my cruising brohammy, owns a Commercial/Residential Window Tint business here in SoCal. He applied this clear shield on the front of his outlaw and it is SWEET! You'd be hard pressed to be able to see the film - and it seems to be doing the job on his I-can't-drive-55 Speedy!

Check it out!

Calling Desi...

Was this custom work using bulk material, or did it involve a pattern? If the latter, is it available? And finally, ya wanna fly over to the east coast and install it for me? :-)