My Firebird was previously owned by a couple of young lads. They added their own "modification" to the front bumper. In other words, it looks as though they have carved a bit out of the front as there is now a gap between the bonnet and bumper instead of being flush. They inserted their own made up Knight Rider light, which was also naff and was removed asap. My problem now is the gap. I want the front to be flush but cannot afford the cost of a new bumper assembly. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Image below of the problem I have encountered with the bumper.

 

fibreglass it up. That's all you could really do to take it back to the way it was. Shouldn't be too difficult. Failing that, you could try and get hold of a second hand part if you can find one for a reasonable price.

 

Hmmm, I was afraid that would be the only option. Would you suggest building up in layers so the middle is solid, or do you think I may be able to make a cardboard template and place fibreglass sheeting over that? I'm not the best diyer in the world so any pointers would be good.

Cheers

Mark

 

Mark, who are you planning to get to do the spraying for you once the repair is done? To be honest, if you're not the best at DIY as you admit yourself, then go and speak to your sprayer and see how much he'll take to do the job properly.

Spend a few minutes calling guys who break American vehicles in the UK. There are several advertised in Classic American / American Car World and such magazines. One of them called Oldcott Motors had several of those style of bumpers in stock last time Rob and I were down.

Best of luck!

 

Thanks for that Dr G. I have tried to get hold of Classic American before in Leeds, but it is like rocking horse sh*t. The only places I have found are WH Smiths, but they will not hold copies and it is not always convenient to go down on publication day. I was lucky enough to go to the distributors last year to do some work and got a couple of "gratis" copies. Must confess to never having heard of American Car World though, is that a general publication?

My next door neighbour used to be a paint sprayer and is going to do the whole car for me at some stage next year, I don't think he is the best at reconstruction work either!

I shall drop into Smiths again a bit later.

Cheers

Mark

 

Try these:-

From http://www.aacint.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=192

Steve Walker at Oldcott Motors (Stoke) 01782 782 081
This is the one I referred to above.
And here is a map to find the place:-
http://mqdirect.mapquest.co.uk/map.adp?venue=b510r%26l

Blues Brothers (Crewe) 01270 215 005
Ian Mumberson (Alvechurch) 0121 445 5000
Stateside (Atherstone) 01827 717 600

For tips on fibreglassing and repairing the area yourself, I suggest you make a copy of this post on perhaps the Body and Interior board, or the Fabrication board. There are lots of experienced guys there.

 

'American Car World' had died/been integrated into 'Street Machine' but the name not acknowledged. Then due to a upsurge in sales of American vehicles etc things changed.

For a while the publishers of 'Street Machine' also tacked on the name 'American Car World' to their magazine title. Then the name 'Street Machine' was completely dropped and the next month the mag simply became 'American Car World'.

Every WHSMiths I've been in to have it in stock. Ask the branch manager for his help, or blag a copy from someone and just subscribe to it.

 

I would fill the area in as much as possible then put a few layers of fibreglass over the top to finish it off. It looks like quite a large area to fill in completley with fibreglass.

 

Jlarsson is selling bits from his firebird projects, you should pm him to see if he can help you.

 

i would try a junk yand and if you cant find one you should not fill it up with mud but instead you are going to want to fold it back up on the inside you should lay a fiberglass mat and ression, this is strong and eazy on the out side you will want to put a skim lear of (green) plastic bondo, this typy of bondo doused not leave pin holes.After that you would sand with 220 grid paper all the way down to 600 wet paper then prime and paint
A other idea is plastic weld it and skim coat outside i have done it both ways for good support hope this helps

 

Ive got one from an 85.In fact it's one I bought off Jan for £50
If you want it you can have it for that

cheers
PM

 

Powermite to the rescue!Bite his hand off and run.I do a lot of things myself,but I wouldn't even consider doing that at home.The amount of time and money to get it anywhere near right would be significant.

 

Sounds like the best idea to me. Whereabouts are you please?

Cheers

Mark

 

In Newport,South Wales.I will be attending the Autosport Show at The NEC a week thursday,so I could meet you there with it
PM

 

dont forget mine is slightly different to yours in so far as it doesnt have those sticking out bits on the front

PM

 

Sorry, the sticking bits out front? Is that the black bits or where the previous owner hacked away at it?

I may be around Birmingham at the same time as you, I take it you mean the 13th? If not, work takes me to Wales quite a lot or my Brother lives in Bradley Stoke and may be able to collect it for me.

Cheers

Mark

p.s. Sorry it took so long to reply, I didn't receive the email notification from the board and forgot to check back!

 

Mark

My mate lives in Bristol and uses part of my workshop in Newport,so he could easily bring it over the bridge.Just let me know where and when and i'll get him to drop it off

PM

 

Great, thanks very much.