To bumper or not to bumper, thats the rub!

[Texsardo]

OK, remember, I am still a newbie. My 78 Spider has a good condition front bumper, tube type. The front indicator lights work fine and in good condition. The problem is a rusted top of the frame where the box is bolted to anchor the shock absorber. The out board part is ok and is the only bolt holding it to frame. So it drools and the shock is extended also causing the bumper to stick out about 1" and hang about 2" lower than the good side. I bought the replacement shock/strut but now wonder if the time and money is worth having someone weld a plate onto rusted frame and try to bring the bumper in alignment? I see some photos of Spiders without front bumper. Looks like they have installed round turn signal lights in the opening where the strut was.
Opinions please. Anyone have same problem? I don't believe it is necessary to have the bumper on the car here in Idaho. Of course we are required to have front license plate on but PO never attached one and I have been driving without and so far to Police intervention.
Any ideas will be appreciated. And I may be able to sell the bumper and replacement strut if I take it off.
Thanks
Texsardo

[toplessexpat]

Many different options for turn signals once you're bumperless.

- VW golf Mk3 signals in the square holes (I've done that to my 1800)
- Jeep Wrangler / TJ signals in the square holes (I'm about to do that to my 2000)
- allisons round light kit in the round holes
- grittracing round light kit in the square holes

.... And many others... Searching on here will yield a huge variety..

As for bumperettes - there are the abarth style ones, and plenty of options from Beetle T bars to Porsche bumperettes (my favorite)

You will notice a ride height increase without that weight on it probably

A

[MrJD]

You will notice a ride height increase without that weight on it probably

and a performance increase due to weight savings!

you can kinda see what I am going for here

OLD image


to get the holes to look right... takes more work



not my car, but here they are done (early mustang turn signals)

[aj81spider]

The bumperless approach is quite popular here. I'll offer an alternative viewpoint. I think the car looks like it has a severe underbite without the front bumper. It's a matter of personal taste (and the car in the banner is a good example of the bumperless look), so you'll have to decide what you want.

If it were me I'd do the fix and get a bumper back on.

[supplyguy]

I'm with AJ. No bumper looks like a porpoise to me, but I know many here like the look.

[georgeramos]

I say bumper. Check out "speedracer"s car. He tucked the tube bumpers closer to the body (not sure how exactly) and it really improved the look.

[MrJD]

I say bumper. Check out "speedracer"s car. He tucked the tube bumpers closer to the body (not sure how exactly) and it really improved the look.

I can agree with this. How he did it is kinda extreme though, lol. I think he drilled and welded the bumper shocks.

Also, you can get the early chrome bumpers.

[toplessexpat]

Early bumpers do look lovely

You could collapse the bumper shocks to tuck in the big bumpers somewhat. Simple to do.

Perhaps I just like underbites?

[tartan18]

To add my 2 cents -- I drive my car daily. Twice in the past few months I have had a careless driver bump into me in a parking lot. Each time my bumpers (once in the front and once in the back) prevented a dent to the car's body. I did drill out the bumper shocks (compressed them closer to the body) and I do like the look. When I am financially able I plan to go with Auto Ricambi's stainless bumpers. That will save weight and they cost only a bit more than if I were to ship my originals off to a chrome shop. I like the look of my car with bumpers -- but as I said -- Just my 2 cents.

[MrJD]

Here is a good one. Just SCREAMS italian sports car.

[pgilling]

Obviously you are canvassing opinions and I'd do the same as I've only been on the Spider scene a year. I personally am not fully taken with the bumper-less 'underbite/porpoise' look and the old chrome bumpers look nice but then again you may not like the older look on a newer model. I am going with the tucked-in look as it is easy, cheap (free) and I think looks great, plus there is a degree of protection. I just need to figure out how to drill out my rear shock struts!

[georgeramos]

The early bumpers, when done correctly, look stunning on later cars. I think some of our friends in OZ have done this conversion and those cars are outstanding.

[pgilling]

Just to add to my last post, if you are going for the bumperless look I think you need to do what MrJD has done and add a Chin spoiler as that completes the look nicely - no overbite whatsoever!

[MrJD]

Just to add to my last post, if you are going for the bumperless look I think you need to do what MrJD WILL BE DOING and add a Chin spoiler as that completes the look nicely - no overbite whatsoever!

fixed. Those are just pictures of cars I like. Mine is in my garage waiting on me to get back to welding... as we speak.

[pgilling]

Just to add to my last post, if you are going for the bumperless look I think you need to do what MrJD WILL BE DOING and add a Chin spoiler as that completes the look nicely - no overbite whatsoever!

fixed. Those are just pictures of cars I like. Mine is in my garage waiting on me to get back to welding... as we speak.

I did wonder how you'd made such quick progress!
Keep at it though, I'm sure yours will look amazing when you've completed all that hard work!