710 park bench bumpers.

[datzenmike]

Only the early '73.5 710 got the 'smiley' bumper and even then it was not the same as the beautiful original as god intended the bumper to look like ones that graced the Japanese cars and elsewhere. Canadian vehicles all had to have bumpers capable of absorbing a low (5 MPH) shock. You've all seen them they are hideous looking. A travesty, an abomination, unholy and HEAVY.... So mine are rough and I've tried it without them but the front and rear valance is almost as bad exposed. So I need something that's closer to the car and acts as a bumper but covers the valance and might even manage to look late '60s early '70s. So brace yourself.

Before with the missing rubber end


After...



It's really the bumper from an early '60 Nova That I sectioned in two places to shorten it about 12 inches. Kep in mind it is just resting on the old bumper shocks that I let the pressure out of and collapsed back. It needs to be moved back another 2+ inches but you get the idea.



This was a test fit. The other side sticks out a foot to the right but it does show the chrome carriage bolt heads for the mounts. Haven't decided if I will keep them, or fill the holes. Managed to pound most of the dents out and I think I will paint a dark gun metal gray or something.



About 6" removed from both sides of the license plate indent. Got rid of one of the larger dents too. (couple of hours spent tweaking and adjusting) Then finish weld front and back.



OK for a first attempt. This last weekend I spent even more time on the rear. It looked OK but must have backed into things and it was a bitch to get it right. After 4 hours I said enough is enough and started cutting. Two 5" sections and mock it up and I was too tired to weld and mess it up. Maybe this weekend when I can do it all in one go.

I will say the two front parts when butted together did not line up. One side high the other low, hammer, check, clamp, tack, repeat. Eventually stitched together and welded it.



Couple of low spots that didn't grind out. As I'm planing to paint I was just going to fill with paint but maybe I'll tack them after all. The little rib needed some coaxing to shape and line up... I used a deep 15mm socket and hammered on it to get it.

The front weighs just under 20 pounds!!! The original was 32.

Anyway... Thought I'd share.








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[Danthewire]

That actually looks pretty good Mike. We use to use Vega bumpers on the roundy round 510
They were indestructible.

[datzenmike]

There's an old Firenza near me and the front bumper is less tall, maybe 3"? but has a point in the middle. Don't all old Pontiacs have a big nose on the fronts??? I guess I could trim that out to shorten and the rear is more like a 510 straight across the back. Others said the bumper is too tall, but I could trim it just below that fold line. I really liked the Firenza rear bumper because it was straight and clean. The trouble is the rear of the goon has no valance. Lots to think about...

Here's the front shortened bumper on the back...

[Danthewire]

What about a Ford Fairmount I think they were pretty flat?
Maybe the wrecker in Dodge city has one.
Pontiacs all had pointy bumpers.
I think it looks fine honestly.....

[datzenmike]

I don't have a lot to choose from. Most 80s vehicles are gone and '90s are all built in plastic crap.... so I was surprised to see this '62 there. Most Datsuns have the 5 MPH bumpers so almost anything is an improvement. This weekend is looking to be dry so maybe I can get the rear one finished. I'm going to check out that Firenza





They need about a foot removed to narrow them for a Datsun but, I like.

[Danthewire]

So did you get the bumper from the Firenza?

[datzenmike]

Every weekend it's been raining and windy. When it was ok I spent cutting and welding the rear one. The plan is to go up to the yard and let the owner know I want the Firenze set also. Maybe but them and have him pull the car forward so I can get at the rear one. From 5 feet away they look ok.