Detail question on 308 USA to Euro front bumper conversion | FerrariChat
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Detail question on 308 USA to Euro front bumper conversion

Discussion in '308/328' started by dave80gtsi, Oct 2, 2004.

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  1. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
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    Nov 3, 2003
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    Ohio
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    Dave Meredith
    #1 dave80gtsi, Oct 2, 2004
    Greetings to all. Time is soon coming when I will redo the front of my USA spec 308, and I will be replacing the USA front bumper and matching grille with their Euro counterparts. Relative to this work, I have a specific attachment question which I do not recall ever having seen addressed before.

    It is my understanding that the Euro cars did not offer a collapsable front bumper mounting shock as did the USA spec cars (and I am aware of the various techniques which have been discussed in the past so to collapse these shocks, should that be desired). My question: Is the mounting configuration on the backside of the Euro bumper, which I assume is something like a pair of protruding studs, an exact match for the matching face of the USA mounting shock, or do they differ one from the other? In other words, is this bumper swap an easy bolt-on direct interchange, or must I first plan on fabricating a mounting adaptor bracket of some sort to marry the backside of the Euro bumper to the USA shock attachment face?

    Thanks and Cheers - DM in Ohio
     
  2. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
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    #2 thecarreaper, Oct 2, 2004
    i bought a set of euro 308 bumpers and they were not "bolt on" . the bumper shock mount holes were offset from the holes in the fiberglass bumpers. i MAY have actually had euro bumpers for a later model QV and not a 76 to 79 308. i did not want to make the car fit the bumpers so i returned them. at the very least i would think that you must drill the USA shocks to get them to push in if you are going to utilize the euro bumpers, IF you can get the right ones that fit. i may be wrong but i believe that its best to have the euro bumper, grill, and valance . the USA grill is too short in the euro " deep" valance, and the euro grill may fit the euro bumper better. i believe its an all or nothing swap.
     
  3. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Don the 16th
    #3 don_xvi, Oct 2, 2004
    I also believe I've read on here that there are significant front end changes required to use true Euro bumpers on a 308. Like the kind that involve cutting and welding. I think... who is it, italiancarparts.com has a "Euro" bumper that's a repro to bolt onto a US car.
     
  4. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
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    Mar 17, 2003
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    Branko Medenica
    #4 branko, Oct 3, 2004
    Try checking the archives. Much has been written on this subject. Or email Mike Charness, President of FCA-SE and member of FC, he had this done to has car.
     
  5. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
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    Philip
    #5 pma1010, Oct 3, 2004
    Mine (which I'd purchased from Peter Sweeney) were a bolt on, both ends on my 77. The Euro has a sliding stud that moves to align with the bumper shock. Couple of 8mm nuts on each and you are done. Fitment time 10 mins each end.
     
  6. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    #6 thecarreaper, Oct 3, 2004
    yea no matter which way i turned the ones i had, it would not fit. NONE of the holes would line up and the shock pads were way too wide for the contact area inside the bumpers. i still think they were for a Euro QV and not an old carb car. depending on what car i end up with, i may be doing the swap all over again soon. i love the euro valance, ill buy a euro front bumper and i want to make my own grill from aluminum or titanium from work. ( gotta love airplanes!) sheets of scrap can be bought from time to time.
     

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