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Euro bumpers installed

Discussion in '308/328' started by bowserrh, Oct 14, 2009.

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  1. bowserrh

    bowserrh Rookie

    Oct 16, 2007
    27
    Poway, CA
    Full Name:
    Robert Bowser
    #1 bowserrh, Oct 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Finally bit the bullet and bought a set of euro bumpers for my old carby 308. As none of the bolt holes matched, I had to fabricate new mounting brackets for the front. Decided to cut up the old shock mounts for the rear and weld on new brackets. Took a lot of time, and many curse words, but the final product looks much better than the original with US-spec bumpers.

    One thing that surprised me was that the suspension seemed to work much better. I expected the car to have a bit more acceleration, but dropping the weight from the front and rear really seemed to allow the suspension to work the way it was supposed to. The car feels much more lively and responsive. No more worries about bottoming out in the front. Very pleased with the change.

    Now I just have to decide whether to buy a euro grill to go with the euro bumpers. Probably not.

    Anybody need a set of US-spec 308GTS bumpers? Excellent condition. Cheap.
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  2. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2007
    4,786
    Marin
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    Geno
    #2 Sledge4.2, Oct 15, 2009
    Thats a slick job, looks great. How many hours and $ did that take you, just curiuos.

    Geno
     
  3. bowserrh

    bowserrh Rookie

    Oct 16, 2007
    27
    Poway, CA
    Full Name:
    Robert Bowser
    #3 bowserrh, Oct 15, 2009
    Bumpers were $770 for the pair. About $20 in steel stock from Home Depot. Several 3/32 and 1/8 welding rods. About four days of scratching my head, measuring, fitting things, measuring, refitting, welding, checking, re-doing, re-thinking. I am sure someone who knew what they were doing could get it all done in a day. Took me a bit longer.
     
  4. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
    Owner Project Master

    May 10, 2006
    17,855
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    John!
    #4 Ferraripilot, Oct 15, 2009
    Great job! About how much weight did you shed? 80-90lbs?
     
  5. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,812
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    #5 miketuason, Oct 15, 2009
    The question is, is the labor, time and scrartching head worth it?
     
  6. bowserrh

    bowserrh Rookie

    Oct 16, 2007
    27
    Poway, CA
    Full Name:
    Robert Bowser
    #6 bowserrh, Oct 15, 2009
    Front bumper: 41lbs.
    Rear bumper: 37lbs.
    Mounting brackets (4 ea.) - 3.5lbs ea.

    I re-used portions of two of the mounting brackets for the rear, and I think the replacement bumpers weigh about 5 - 7lbs. So, the weight savings is about 80lbs.

    Definite improvement to the looks, and a surprising difference with respect to ride and handling. Getting rid of that cantilevered weight really seemed to make a difference.

    Well worth the effort.
     
  7. rolindsay

    rolindsay Formula 3

    Jul 14, 2006
    1,022
    Houston, TX
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    Rick Lindsay
    #7 rolindsay, Oct 15, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Independent of the weight savings or the cost and sweat, the car looks great! I know we have mixed opinions about this topic so I won't be rude. However, NOTHING screams "late '70s" like those big, improvised US-spec bumpers. Well done!

    My '79 308GTB's skinny bumpers shown below...
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  8. GTVeloce

    GTVeloce Karting

    Jul 19, 2009
    207
    Kauai Hawaii
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    Dennis
    #8 GTVeloce, Oct 15, 2009
    A real visual improvement, and very interesting your comment about the improved ride and handling. Not supprising really, given that much weight located so far out from the center of the car. A win-win for sure.
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,386
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    #9 BigTex, Oct 15, 2009
    Yes.....PM sent...

    Alan
    Houston Texas

    Your car looks great!!!

    If you change the grill later, I'll buy it too! LOL!
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Bubba
    #10 BigTex, Oct 15, 2009
    Late 70'S!!!!!???!???

    Wanna see my white slacks????
     
  11. gcmerak

    gcmerak Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2008
    1,663
    Engine Bay, Georgia
    Full Name:
    George C.
    #11 gcmerak, Oct 16, 2009
    If you think the 308 bumpers were bad, the old lyic "you aint seen nuthin yet" comes to mind when looking at my bumpers. I'm also told they are 50 lbs. each!

    Ciao,
    George
     
  12. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

    Mar 26, 2003
    3,218
    Bay Shore, NY
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    Andy
    #12 tuttebenne, Oct 16, 2009
    Looks fantastic. I have to upgrade my rear bumper to go with my Euro front end. Where did you get them? And yes, the combined weight of the mounts and bumpers is significant - especially considering they are hanging out at the very extremes of the car (think about what a pendulum does). Great job.
     
  13. rolindsay

    rolindsay Formula 3

    Jul 14, 2006
    1,022
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Rick Lindsay
    #13 rolindsay, Oct 16, 2009
    Oh yea! The real question is; "Do you still have the white belt with the brass rivets!"

    Stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,386
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #14 BigTex, Oct 16, 2009
    I was joking about the slacks, and it seems I missed this deal too.....I'm bummed.

    I guess wreck repair of #20405 goes back on the shelf....big sigh.
     
  15. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2004
    1,237
    Meadow Vista, CA
    Full Name:
    R Moseley
    #15 ramosel, Oct 16, 2009

    My curiosity is sparked... So on the true euro cars, do they (Ferrari) not fit the rubber/plastic flaps at the rear of the car that cover the gap to the bumper? Did you delete yours? Does anyone have pics of a euro bumper on a US car with and without the flaps?

    Rick
     
  16. F&M racing

    F&M racing Formula Junior

    Feb 26, 2006
    668
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    JimF
    #16 F&M racing, Oct 16, 2009
    Where did you purchase these bumpers?
     

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