308 Split Rear Bumper Finished

I finally completed the split rear bumper project for the 308. I started out with a poorly made fiberglass rear bumper where the mounting holes did not match up, and the overall curve of the bumper did not match the curve of the rear of the car. So, it has always been my intention to make a split bumper out of it. After cutting the middle section out of it, I cut some ½ inch poplar to fit into the opening left over from removing the middle section, and epoxied that piece in. I then filled with bondo and sanded, filled and sanded etc. Onto the aluminum support piece, I used 3/8 inch stock, by 4 inches wide. I had to rip it down to 3.5 inches wide using my table saw, even cut it at a bevel so it would tuck into the bumper ends nice and snug. I had the ends turned in exactly 1 inch by my machinist to match the curve of the rear of the car. Next I drilled holes into the aluminum to match my shock mounts. Then, I drilled and tapped new studs into the bumper ends to coincide with the holes in the slumimun and bumper shocks. I drilled everything so all the weight rested on the shock holes and studs. I made it so I had no adjustment in overall alignment (had to get it perfect and I had one shot). I did this so the bumper ends would not shift on the alumimum or bumper ends. It came out perfectly aligned. This was a tough project and almost gave up many times. The overall finish is ppg acrylic enamel automotive body paint that I shot out of my HVLP spray gun……The original bumper weighed 46 pounds, this arrangement weighs in at 9 pounds and I have greater protection over the fiberglass bumper as I have it all backed up with 3/8 alumimum.........
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finished product
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thanks, and it has not even fallen off yet - lol...