What's the concensus on bumper availability?

[Albrecht]

I am putting back together my 4/70 production HLS30U 'Datsun 240Z' after a full repaint, and am in a quandary regarding the front bumper...

I have the decent, straight and non-rusty original, but the 50+ year old factory chrome has worn thin and it really needs re-plating. I have been quoted £480 + VAT from one of the UK's best plating shops (I've had stuff done there before) and an 8 week turnaround. Gulp. That made me wonder about the stainless reproductions that have come onto the market in the last few years.

However, I only need a front bumper. I've got an NOS factory one on the rear, so I don't want to buy the usually offered matched pair in stainless if I can avoid it.

What's the latest concensus on manufacturers? I'd prefer to stick with chrome (with the factory style rubber trims) if possible as it would then match what's on the rear of the car, but I might go for stainless if the price is right and I don't have to buy a pair.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Alan, if you have to buy a pair surely you could sell the unwanted one easily?

I would get more quotes for the rechroming. That option is the one I think you'd prefer for your build.

 

[Albrecht]

Alan, if you have to buy a pair surely you could sell the unwanted one easily?

True. But by the same logic I should be able to buy a front one from somebody who bought a pair and only needed the rear one..!

I would get more quotes for the rechroming. That option is the one I think you'd prefer for your build.

You're probably right, but I think getting it down to less than £400 seems unlikely and there will probably be a long turnaround involved.

What I need is a nice, new off-the-shelf OEM style bumper in chrome. Just not a UK/Euro one with the indicator mount holes in the top.

 

[jonbills]

I thought I read that the bumperautomobile ones were chrome and good, but I could be wrong.
My rear bumper is pretty crusty so I'd join you in buying a pair if you decided to go that way.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

I am putting back together my 4/70 production HLS30U 'Datsun 240Z' after a full repaint, and am in a quandary regarding the front bumper...

I have the decent, straight and non-rusty original, but the 50+ year old factory chrome has worn thin and it really needs re-plating. I have been quoted £480 + VAT from one of the UK's best plating shops (I've had stuff done there before) and an 8 week turnaround. Gulp. That made me wonder about the stainless reproductions that have come onto the market in the last few years.

However, I only need a front bumper. I've got an NOS factory one on the rear, so I don't want to buy the usually offered matched pair in stainless if I can avoid it.

What's the latest concensus on manufacturers? I'd prefer to stick with chrome (with the factory style rubber trims) if possible as it would then match what's on the rear of the car, but I might go for stainless if the price is right and I don't have to buy a pair.

I’ve a stainless autobumpermobile ones, fit an finish are perfect. It’d a ‘deep’ stainless, I’d recommend them.

 

[Albrecht]

My rear bumper is pretty crusty so I'd join you in buying a pair if you decided to go that way.

So I could buy a pair, and then sell the rear one to you? That sounds like a good solution.

I’ve a stainless autobumpermobile ones, fit an finish are perfect. It’d a ‘deep’ stainless, I’d recommend them.

Thanks for the recommendation. I will contact bumperautomobile.com and ask for a quotation including shipping.

 

[IbanezDan51]

I had the stainless ones from them. Fit on the front was a little tight and required a light modification. But generally I was really pleased with them. They may have improved the fitment since I had mine as they were an earlier batch.

I also need a front and rear - but can't justify the outlay currently.

 

[Kieronpollock]

True. But by the same logic I should be able to buy a front one from somebody who bought a pair and only needed the rear one..!



You're probably right, but I think getting it down to less than £400 seems unlikely and there will probably be a long turnaround involved.

What I need is a nice, new off-the-shelf OEM style bumper in chrome. Just not a UK/Euro one with the indicator mount holes in the top.

I also looked at rechroming prices and I agree with your estimates.
What about this bumper?

 

[Faster Behr]

I am putting back together my 4/70 production HLS30U 'Datsun 240Z' after a full repaint, and am in a quandary regarding the front bumper...

I have the decent, straight and non-rusty original, but the 50+ year old factory chrome has worn thin and it really needs re-plating. I have been quoted £480 + VAT from one of the UK's best plating shops (I've had stuff done there before) and an 8 week turnaround. Gulp. That made me wonder about the stainless reproductions that have come onto the market in the last few years.

However, I only need a front bumper. I've got an NOS factory one on the rear, so I don't want to buy the usually offered matched pair in stainless if I can avoid it.

What's the latest concensus on manufacturers? I'd prefer to stick with chrome (with the factory style rubber trims) if possible as it would then match what's on the rear of the car, but I might go for stainless if the price is right and I don't have to buy a pair.

If you should happen across a source for the rubbing strips in your quest then please let me know. They are on my list of things to find.

 

[Kieronpollock]

I have a 2 NOS ones but not sure if they are for the rear or a 260Z car as they are longer than the NOS ones I’m using that are a direct replacement for my 240Z front bumper strips.
My previous post on the topic is below:

I have two new original Nissan (but not in their box) 240z rear bumper rubbers for sale part no. 85007-e4100 (76 com long)

I also have two new bumper rubbers with no parts no. on them measuring 65cm long. I know these aren't Nissan original UK RHD 240Z front bumper rubbers as I have a set of Nissan ones for my resto and they measure 50cm in length - potentially US ones?

 

[candy red]

I am putting back together my 4/70 production HLS30U 'Datsun 240Z' after a full repaint, and am in a quandary regarding the front bumper...

I have the decent, straight and non-rusty original, but the 50+ year old factory chrome has worn thin and it really needs re-plating. I have been quoted £480 + VAT from one of the UK's best plating shops (I've had stuff done there before) and an 8 week turnaround. Gulp. That made me wonder about the stainless reproductions that have come onto the market in the last few years.

However, I only need a front bumper. I've got an NOS factory one on the rear, so I don't want to buy the usually offered matched pair in stainless if I can avoid it.

What's the latest concensus on manufacturers? I'd prefer to stick with chrome (with the factory style rubber trims) if possible as it would then match what's on the rear of the car, but I might go for stainless if the price is right and I don't have to buy a pair.

Hi Alan
I’ve just read your question,coming from someone who I would regard as being one of the most knowledgeable people regarding Zs and how the should be done I’m surprised you even thinking about S/S if it was me ,I would have your original 1 re plated so long as your rubbers are still ok .you know it will fit back on as it should without any problems after all what’s £480 +vat in the grand scheme of things,look forward to what you decide on and also to reading all you knowledgeable comments

 

[Faster Behr]

I have a 2 NOS ones but not sure if they are for the rear or a 260Z car as they are longer than the NOS ones I’m using that are a direct replacement for my 240Z front bumper strips.
My previous post on the topic is below:

I have two new original Nissan (but not in their box) 240z rear bumper rubbers for sale part no. 85007-e4100 (76 com long)

I also have two new bumper rubbers with no parts no. on them measuring 65cm long. I know these aren't Nissan original UK RHD 240Z front bumper rubbers as I have a set of Nissan ones for my resto and they measure 50cm in length - potentially US ones?

Thanks Kieron. I’ll PM you.

 

[Albrecht]

I also looked at rechroming prices and I agree with your estimates.
What about this bumper?

Yes, thanks. I saw that when I was looking around at what was available, but somehow didn't feel completely confident about it.

 

[Graeme - CZ]

So I could buy a pair, and then sell the rear one to you? That sounds like a good solution.



Thanks for the recommendation. I will contact bumperautomobile.com and ask for a quotation including shipping.

This is where i got mine from. Seemed like very good value - bumpers, rubbers and shipping - all under £600. The front went on easily. The rear bracket required some minor modification, but nothing that just didn't involve grinding / time. My issue was slightly different however, as my car was US 1973, and had the protruding bumpers - i wanted to replace with the 1971 style bumpers, hence the purchase - otherwise i may have considered reconditioning.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Yes, thanks. I saw that when I was looking around at what was available, but somehow didn't feel completely confident about it.

I think modern methods just won't/dont stand up in the same way it would have 20 years ago. it'll always be a worry/issue(IMO).

 

[Albrecht]

....I’m surprised you even thinking about S/S if it was me ,I would have your original 1 re plated so long as your rubbers are still ok. You know it will fit back on as it should without any problems after all what’s £480 +vat in the grand scheme of things...

A big part of my reluctance to re-plate the original is the long turnaround time. Everybody is quoting more than 6 weeks and the company I usually use is quoting 8 at the minimum.

Since I have lots of fabrication to do around and on the front bumper (the car in question should end up looking something like the car in my avatar...) I don't want to be without it for that long. That £480+VAT is also a disincentive, to put it mildly...!

 

[Rob Gaskin]

To be blunt Alan, if you are fitting aux lamps, overidders, rubber corners I wouldn't spend £500 on a rechrome. Are the lamp brackets bolted on? Could they be welded-on and the whole lot rechromed at a cheaper place?

 

[Albrecht]

To be blunt Alan, if you are fitting aux lamps, overidders, rubber corners I wouldn't spend £500 on a rechrome. Are the lamp brackets bolted on? Could they be welded-on and the whole lot rechromed at a cheaper place?

I'm referencing a batch of very early Works rally test cars for this build, and they bolted the lamp mount brackets to the bumper with some extra bracing inside it. Later builds linked the lamp mount brackets into the structure supporting the front of the sump guard, and they welded the mounts onto the bumper in an effort to stop them jiggling around on stage.

So, happily, I can copy the bolted mounts and this makes it easier to deal with the bumper. Welded-on lamp mount brackets would make it much more difficult to re-chrome a bumper (tricky to do the pre-plate polishing) so I will keep the original bumper and possibly use it as a 'Mark 2' version later down the line. Probably useful to have a plain OEM style bumper to swap to occasionally. The lamps are quite vulnerable.

The Works team also used an 'over and under' spot & fog lamp configuration on the earliest test car, which I'm tempted to try. It looks funky.

The original bumper is not rusty, but is very sand-blasted on the front surface and the copper/brass coating underneath is showing through. I like it like that, but suspect it would quickly deteriorate in use...

 

[Albrecht]

Thanks for the replies. I've ordered a pair from BumperAutomobile in Vietnam and hope to have them within a couple of weeks. Will report back when I have them.