What 3x8 bumper materials were used???

Does anyone know if different materials (fiberglass, aluminum, steel, rubber, plastic) were used on 3x8 bumpers through the years and/or if Euro's were made of different materials than U.S. versions of the same years?

Impactco's rear bumper is fiberglass and tapping on mine seems to feel/sound like aluminum. But scratching the back side of mine feels more like fiberglass and it's about 1/4" thick at the edges.

 

Euro 3x8 bumpers are fibreglass. I'm pretty sure it also has an U-shaped Al core that you can't see of course.
US Spec bumpers were hard rubber with a steel core/backing.

BTW, search would have gotten you this answer & a lot more info.

 

Verell I had to cut a section of mine out because of water damage, there's a steel core inside of the U.S. bumper. I feel their way too heavy and I'm currently setting my bumper up to pull a mold when the weather gets warmer here. I'm thinking of using some lighter material for the core for impact strength, I haven't decided what yet!

 

I replaced my US bumbers with stock EURO bumbers from Ferrari. I assume these were original spec. They were in a Ferrari box. There is no core, just a support lattice formed of fiberglass.

 

All your responses clear things up pretty well for me. Thanks to all of you!

 

My original euro bumper is a hard plastic,I just had it repaired

 

Dont know if its true but I heard (from my old machanic) that an old company called "FOHA" made light weight rubber like race bumpers for the 308's in the late to early eighties. Foha made "spoilers" and "front valance" for earlier F-Cars and other makes too.

 

This is what a 308 euro bumper looks like cut in half.

It has a thin outer gelcoat, on the inside a thin metal mesh covered with a hard light foam.
It's easy to crack (ask me how i know)
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