Coupe Bumpers on a Spider

[adrians]

Hi All,

Does anyone know if 124 Coupe blade bumpers (AC or BC) will fit onto an '81 Spider (big bumpers) without too much modification ?

Thanks in advance !

[ITA124]

Lightning the car for Wakefield?

Curly's SPYDUH uses AC bumpers

http://fiatspider.com/f08/search.php?ke ... mit=Search

[Curly]

Yes, I have adapted AC Coupe bumpers to SPYDUH.



I've been asked about these bumpers many times, so I've copied some information that's been sent as Private Messages to Forum members who've previously enquired about the set up.

SPYDUH’s BUMPER CONVERSION.
The bumpers I used on SPYDUH ( a 1976 CS1) were from a spare set of 1968 Fiat 124 AC coupe bumpers I had hanging around. The front one had about an 18" section cut out of the centre and plates welded in to the cut off ends to close them off.
The only modification then needed to fit these front bumpers was to re-profile the corners and return shapes to match the curve of the panels. This was done with a 4" angle grinder using a flap wheel. The original mounting attachments on the bumper were left unchanged, and a new set of irons made up to go from the mounting points on the chassis to the bumper bar.



The rear bar is a different kettle of fish, because the rear end shape of the Coupe is much squarer than that of the Spider. I had to cut a V-shaped segment out of the centre of the bar and bend the bar into a tighter radius curve to match the Spider's rear profile. That of course, made the return sections that run along the lower rear quarters, no longer parallel. More cuts were then made into the corners and the return sections pulled out to make them parallel again. Metal plates were then welded underneath the cut sections to hold them in place. The bar then needed extensive angle grinder profiling, especially in the corners and on the returns which are now much narrower than they were on the Coupe.
When I was happy that the bar was the correct shape, the gaps in the bar where it was joined and plated, were filled with bronze and filed back to the match the original surface height and curve. I also extended and angled the 2 original mounting brackets inside the bar by about an inch to reach the rear panel of the Spider.
To support the bar on the car, I strengthened the panel areas around the mounting points at the rear and on the 3/4 lower rear quarters by double plating as well as fitting captive bolts on the rear panel. This was all done prior to painting the car.
All 3 bars were then sent away to the platers, for refinishing. Then once the car was painted it all went together again pretty easily.
I've included a extra few shots (below) to illustrate what may not be very well explained above.

[adrians]

Thanks for the information Curly

The bumpers I've got access to are from a BC so I might have to do some trial & error fitting !

Regards

[eddy314]

Curly, nice bumpers but where did you get those wheels? That's what I'm looking for.

[Curly]

The wheels are Aussie-made Simmons V4 15"x7". They are a 2-piece wheel (centre & rim) made originally for the Alfetta GTV which luckily shares the same 4x98 pcd arrangement with Fiat.
The wheels haven't been made for years and Simmons has recently closed down. Occasionally a set will come up on Ebay, but they don't stay around very long.

[adrians]

There is a set for auction right now on ebay oz

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Alfa-Alfetta-GTV ... 23079c9896

[grittracing]

I really like this conversion. looks clean yet a little racy to classic look for our spiders hope he doesn't mind if i borrow his idea if mine fails.

[Curly]

I really like this conversion. looks clean yet a little racy to classic look for our spiders hope he doesn't mind if i borrow his idea if mine fails.

Charles Caleb Colton once said "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
Go right ahead.

[backyardbill]

Great looking car and bumpers, Curly

I realize this is an old thread, but I just discovered it. My project car is almost ready for paint and I am thinking of what to do about the bumpers. I really like the bumper-less look of the spider, but, want the protection of bumpers.

I saw this spider video yesterday. This guy painted his bumpers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04btbAiEQSE

Has anyone else painted theirs? Like in a medium metallic pewter, to match their car?

Any opinions?

[grittracing]

Personally Bill, I don't like the big bulkiness of the tube bumpers. but that is the best they have looked, body color. the cars has such great lines they just don't look like they belong. they body color takes away from that. I have you seen the "full nelson" style bumper trick. they drill a whole in the shock to let all the oil out than push the bumpers in and put in a set screw. I think this cleans them up a lot also. put the to ideas together might turn out very nice. post pictures with what you decide. also it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. once you change that 1st stock item to a non-stock car. the becomes a extension of you. your own personal taste. so do what you like ! there are things on my car that has controversy. like my head light "British" rock guards,my turn signals,my dash, and here is my bumper idea. still working the bugs out. and I am sure when my father see the stickers on the side of my car he will have something to say.

[backyardbill]

Yes, your are right about customization and personal taste.

What is that chrome thing in your posted photo?

[grittracing]

they are called Jack pads. the early racers used them to jack the car up. you would have a dolly like thing with a pipe across the front. you wheel it up to the car pull the dolly back and the bar would fit into the under side of these and lift the car. you see them on cobras and gt40s