Looking for info/pics on Challenger Elastomeric bumpers

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Hello, I don't have all my notes in front of me, but here's some info off the top of my head...

challenger elastomeric bumpers are 71 only, and came as a package with both front and rear bumpers, and also painted side mirrors instead of chrome. You couldn't order the front/rear bumpers seperately. The top of the front bumper was always blacked out even on non R/T cars, and the grill blackout also came with the elastomeric bumper package. The hood moulding and corresponding edges of the headlight bezels also have a portion blacked out as part of the grill blackout process. If I recall correctly the hood moulding blackout was a thin vinyl strip, not paint. I've seen that strip available repro somewhere, but don't remember where at the moment. I also don't recall if the rear had any blackout like the front does. The bumpers were created from regular bumper cores with the studs in place, and then dipped in the coating. Special bumper brackets were used, but the only differance is that the brackets were slotted where they bolt on to the frame rails so that the bumper could be better adjusted in or out from the car. You could slot the holes in your original brackets, but I've heard others have installed these bumpers without needing that modification, so maybe you'll get lucky there.

That should help you out a bit.

Anyone have any good pictures? Especially of the rear would be nice.

Tav

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I'm thinking of putting a reproduction Elastomeric front bumper on the wife's 71 R/T Challenger, (maybe even a rear one too).
I've always loved the look of the painted rubber bumpers especially on the 71 Challengers as they are rather rare compared to rubber bumpers on a 'Cuda.
Does anyone have any information on how the bumpers are mounted?
Will my original 71 Challenger bumper brackets work?
Are there studs on the back of the bumper for mounting?
How do the gaps look around the front of the fenders?
I believe the front has black semi gloss paint on top of the bumper to match the 71 R/T grill?
If anyone have good pictures of the bumpers mounted on a Challenger please post.

Thanks.

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The bumpers mount just like the metal bumper. There are studs molded in to the back of the bumper. Unlike the cuda - there is no differences between the mounting brackets. There is a parting line in the bumper - above the line the bumper is painted in organisol black. It's textured.

I can get you pictures when I get home on Friday.

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Hello, I don't have all my notes in front of me, but here's some info off the top of my head...

challenger elastomeric bumpers are 71 only, and came as a package with both front and rear bumpers, and also painted side mirrors instead of chrome. You couldn't order the front/rear bumpers seperately. The top of the front bumper was always blacked out even on non R/T cars, and the grill blackout also came with the elastomeric bumper package. The hood moulding and corresponding edges of the headlight bezels also have a portion blacked out as part of the grill blackout process. If I recall correctly the hood moulding blackout was a thin vinyl strip, not paint. I've seen that strip available repro somewhere, but don't remember where at the moment. I also don't recall if the rear had any blackout like the front does. The bumpers were created from regular bumper cores with the studs in place, and then dipped in the coating. Special bumper brackets were used, but the only differance is that the brackets were slotted where they bolt on to the frame rails so that the bumper could be better adjusted in or out from the car. You could slot the holes in your original brackets, but I've heard others have installed these bumpers without needing that modification, so maybe you'll get lucky there.

That should help you out a bit.

Anyone have any good pictures? Especially of the rear would be nice.

Tav

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Tav - since you got most of this wrong let me bail you out

True this is a 71 only option.

Unlike 'cudas Challenger rubber bumpers are NOT part of a package. In the beginning you could only order both (M73) and only in 4 colors: blue, purple, orange and yellow. Later you could order the front seperate.

The bumper is always black on top and forced you to get a black grill. The rear is also black on top.

The hood trim is painted and has the vinyl to cover the paint line.

The brackets are NOT different as Challenger metal bumper were recessed into the fender - the different bracket is a cuda thing.

I can get you detail pics upon request.

Morty

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am I missing why people aren't selling these or am I just looking in the wrong place. It would seem that you could get one of the new bumpers that I have found for sell on many web sites and just rubberize it. How hard could it be?

Please tell me what I am missing.

Thanks




If your looking for repro elastromeric bumper, Gene Gregory makes them for Cuda and Challenger, you can contact him at www.alhambracustomservice.bravehost.com


to fit them to an existing set of regular chrome bumper bracket (front) you'll need to elongate the main frame bolt holes/slot on the brackets to push the bumper up flush with the fenders, the rear brackets you may have to shim the brackets, or bumper, your choice, outward, to obtain the fit you desire


Mike


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am I missing why people aren't selling these or am I just looking in the wrong place. It would seem that you could get one of the new bumpers that I have found for sell on many web sites and just rubberize it. How hard could it be?


Please tell me what I am missing.

Thanks




If your looking for repro elastromeric bumper, Gene Gregory makes them for Cuda and Challenger, you can contact him at www.alhambracustomservice.bravehost.com


to fit them to an existing set of regular chrome bumper bracket (front) you'll need to elongate the main frame bolt holes/slot on the brackets to push the bumper up flush with the fenders, the rear brackets you may have to shim the brackets, or bumper, your choice, outward, to obtain the fit you desire


Mike


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am I missing why people aren't selling these or am I just looking in the wrong place. It would seem that you could get one of the new bumpers that I have found for sell on many web sites and just rubberize it. How hard could it be?


Please tell me what I am missing.

Thanks




If your looking for repro elastromeric bumper, Gene Gregory makes them for Cuda and Challenger, you can contact him at www.alhambracustomservice.bravehost.com


to fit them to an existing set of regular chrome bumper bracket (front) you'll need to elongate the main frame bolt holes/slot on the brackets to push the bumper up flush with the fenders, the rear brackets you may have to shim the brackets, or bumper, your choice, outward, to obtain the fit you desire


Mike


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Thanks for the info. My 71 'Cuda has the original rubber bumper brackets. OK, I think it does. I am going to have to go check again to see. Just so that I am clear, the slotted bolt holes are on the car side of the bracket right? I know for a fact the the bumper side of my brackets have slotted bolt holes. My car is in a shop that is not at my house. I will have to check in the morning. Is there a bracket part number that I can look for or see with the brackets installed? Bumper is removed.

The car had chrome bumpers on it when I bought it. The car is an original factory purple car but was blue when I bought it. I figure the previous owner replaced the rubber bumper with the chrome one when he painted it blue. A21 on the fender tag. He also painted the engine well black and the inside of the trunk gold. LOL Got to love the 80s right?

How bad are the AAR fiberglass front bumpers? $135 is a big difference from the Six Pack Performance $950.

http://www.aarqualityfiberglass.com/cart2/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=130

http://www.sixpackperformance.net/product.php?productid=16253&cat=313&page=1

Logic dictates the Six Pack Performance bumper is probably second to none but for the money, the AAR one looks really tempting.

Thanks for the help guys.


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