1968 Front Bumper

[Jeff P.]

image.jpgFirst I have to say Carlisle was great. The good weather brings out a lot of folks from around the country and beyond.
I'm very aware of the differences between the 68 bumper and the 69 to 72. Question though, I have been told by a few different people that the "68 bumper" was used only for the first five thousand then it went to the scalloped bottom edge and the stronger tabs for the middle brace. My 68 Survivor #14222 has the straight lower edge,March 14 build. The 68 convertible I'm restoring had a minor accident on the right front so I know the bumper is not the original one.( Spoke to owner of 40 years. )# 22277 June 23 build. Could I ask a favor to 68 owners around this June date to chime in here? A couple dates before and a couple dates after might put this theory to bed. As always many thanks for your input. Jeff

[Gene M.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Jeff,
On my 68 which is 4200's (Nov 67 build) it has the bumper without the additional cut outs (scallops). I can't tell on the welded on braces because the lower bumperettes are in the way. I'm not aware of the change to the stronger tabs for the middle brace and what changed. Sorry can't help more.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Thank you Gene. If you blow up the picture ,you will notice that on both bumper brackets they have a "V" pressed into the 90o bend. On early 68 bumpers the metal bracket is bent 90o without the creases pressed in.

[Richard F.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Have one off a June 68 car, which is like the lower one in your pic. I can't guarantee that it was born on the car, but is seems likely. Other one is from a July 69, which is like your upper one in the pic. I am almost sure this one is original.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

My questions to you Richard are do they both have the straight lower edge or are they scalloped? Other questio is are you selling one. I can PM you at a time good for you.. Thanks,Jeff

[Richard F.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Jeff, When I said that the two I have are like the two in your picture, I was talking about the scallops. One of mine has 2 scallops on the bottom edge and the other one has 8. Neither is in primetime condition.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Got it Richard,thanks again. Hopefully more will chime in to get this resolved.

[John C.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Jeff

My mid April built car has the scalloped lower edge of the bumper. I believe it to be original to the car.

John

[Sean S.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

March 4th, 1968 born-on-date...has the 8 scallops like the top one.
Looks to be never wrecked, all original fiberglass, but was painted in the 80s.
If I'm only supposed to have 2 based on some of the later dates, mine might not be original to the car.
???

Sean

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Thank you john and Sean. Anyone with a May,June ,July, August build? This would be the deciding factor if they are original to the car.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Hi Jeff
Glad you stopped by at Carlisle. I learned something here, I never knew about the bumpers.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Great seeing you Gary. Yup ,1968 really was a one year wonder in many ways.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

My July 18 build 68 has the scalloped bumper as in the top one in your picture. I am 99% sure it is original. My vin is 259xx. This car was parked by the original owner in 1973. I have pictures showing it when it was unearthed around 1990 and there is a small ding in the front bumper that is stll there. Also no evidence of any body work in the area and paint is original.

My buddies 68 146xx has the same, although his car was restored a while back, so I can't be 100% positive on originality. He bought it after restoration so it's hard to say.

Rich

[Sean S.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Great thread. Looked at the Technical Manual last night. Didn't see anything regarding the two variations.
Jeff, your car was built 10 days after mine. Your bumper is straight. Mine is scalloped.
Mine might be a replacement.
Any chance for an overlap of both designs?

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Front Bumper

Interesting Rich,28xxx was the end of the run. Your 259xx car could have been close to the change . If there was one .Hope to have some June cars chime in here. I would believe your buddies bumper to have been changed for what ever reason.