Bumpers

[rlux4]

I gotta go with Brad on this one. No suprise there, seeing as most of you know already that I like the original look of the later cars and want to keep mine as original as possible. But another consideration of mine is the little fender/benders that happen. I'd rather replace a bumper than do what I think will be major body panel repairs. Most likely more than one section would be crunched if there's no protection. Question: What are the possibilities that an insurance company would have the attitude "hey, the damage wouldn't have been that extensive if the bumpers had been left on."
Ron

[Leesfer]

Those fender benders are what scare me right now, hopefully when I get some abarth style blocks I could be just a tiny bit more protected, stress tiny.

But like mark said, I like the sporty look... I wish I could get my hands on some chrome bumpers or better yet a 73 or earlier car. I think they look a lot like the Ferrari 265

[manoa matt]

The only way to have a collision and no damage is with another Fiat.

The Fiat bumpers are so low that most cars's bumpers will dent your hood instead of hitting your bumper.

When I was 16 I rearended a minivan and dented my hood. Minivans have very low bumpers when compared to sedans or other passenger cars. Forget about SUVs you'll just drive under the bumper.

Matt

[YourNameHere]

Has anyone tried the Stainless steel repro bumpers?
Any idea how they look, or fit?
http://www.groupharrington.com/shine/fiat_spider.asp

[rlux4]

Thanks a lot Matt! There goes my peace of mind. Seriously though, I have to believe that something there is better than nothing there. Even if it were to protect the body in a fraction of scenarios, I want my bumpers on in that fraction of cases.
But hey, that's just me, it's just one set of bumpers that Brad won't end up with.
Ron

[Leesfer]

Actually yeah, when I first got my car, my brother backed into the front end and it just bent the hood right above the grill.

I have my bumpers hidden and saved for when I want them again

[Jazgeek]

Question: What are the possibilities that an insurance company would have the attitude "hey, the damage wouldn't have been that extensive if the bumpers had been left on."
Ron

In ontario we have anti ricer laws. The insurance companies can disallow claims based on modifications made. They can even deny you coverage if you're found out.

The problem with this law is it's too broad spectrum. By the strict letter of the law, if I put in an after market stereo I'm considered breaking the law. So I'm sure removing the bumpers will make my insurance null and void in a collission.

I'm actually thinking of powder coating mine in a nice deep shiny black.....

[Curly]

If there is one aspect of the 124 Spider that is certain to create controversy, it's the bumpers - Do a search and you'll find thousands of words written on this topic. I'll admit to being biased in my point of view and I apologise in advance to anyone whose nose gets put out of joint by what follows.
But, it would be interesting to find out which committee of bean-counters and blacksmiths were responsible for the design of the tubular bumpers. It's incongruous to compare the original delicate chrome blades that blend in harmony with the contours of the panels, to the later models' massively heavy, farmyard gate rails which protrude way out from the bodywork on battering rams. The associated increased ride height together with the pendulum effect of having an extra 70 pounds hanging off each end of the car also did nothing to improve its dynamics.
Perhaps it was some Fiat America executive's pre-school child's solution to the problem. I would be surprised if anybody with an ounce of artistic talent had any influence what so ever in the final design.
The Fiat Spider solution to the US design rule was at best, clumsy; even when compared to the likes of Alfa Romeo, MG and the X1/9, which although still detracting from their lines, at least managed to disguise the hardware.
If you're worried about any damage that may occur to your car if you go bumperless, you don't have fork out hundreds of dollars on a remanufactured set of early Spider bumpers. Use your imagination, be creative and find something else that will do the job. I've seen a set of XJ-6 Jag bumpers used to good effect and I was considering the MGB chrome bumpers before adapting a set from a 124 AC coupe. In my opinion a silver-painted broomstick would be an improvement.
OK - End of Rant
Next question will be .............. What do we do about turn indicator lights?

[afields]

I like the bumerpless look at least in the front instead of the double bar look, perhaps with addition of Mark's parking lights! However, I would want to keep the back bumpers. What are the consequences of removing the front bumper but not the rear on ride height/balance. Do you need to cut the springs to lower ride height in front? WEhat about turn signal lights? Does anyone have a solutoon yet for installation of turning lights to go in the rectangular holes outboard of the bumper shock holes?

[bandit]

A few photos to compare, of all the Lights i think Marks look the best or Abarth Bumpers these seem to complement
the 124 style really well but going with the Abarth bumpers means giving up the location for his lights . I purchased a set
last Thursday with the intent of weld some plates in the square holes then cut them out for round ones . If only someone
has this setup already i'd love to see it or is there somebody ? if so could you post photos ?
The early Bumpers look great as well that was going to be my 2nd option on a late model Spider now i need to decide
if i want an air dam or not it never ends !




My Spider

[stefhahn]

Not my auction - but here you find the sought-after 124 indicators, dusty but look good: http://cgi.ebay.de/2-Blinker-vorn-links ... dZViewItem

ciao,
Stefan

[eyeosteverino]

I too removed front and rear bumpers on my 79 Spider. Since removing the bumpers reduce the weight of the car by around 150#, to prevent that "off roader" jacked up look, I cut one coil off of the rear springs and a half off the front. It rides a bit stiffer but now it looks "right."

PS: Somewhere in blog-land, I saw a turn signal that fit the square hole -- a mitsubishi item, I think. Has anyone seen this item and could you provide me a URL?

[johndemar]

PS: Somewhere in blog-land, I saw a turn signal that fit the square hole -- a mitsubishi item, I think. Has anyone seen this item and could you provide me a URL?

I'm beginning to think the Mitsubishi Colt signal is an urban legend.....
Apparently Mitsubishi called many of their early to mid 80 models the Colt, and this signal is from a car never imported to the U.S.

The fellow from Germany that sells the fiberglas Abarth bumper blocks has them on his car, so they do exist, but good luck finding them.

[Tappy]

The local Abarth specialist here sells those square blinkers here's the link how they look :

http://www.abarth-gmr.be/new/gallery.ph ... _01&idp=16

the ordering link is here :

http://www.abarth-gmr.be/new/order.php? ... R%20ABARTH

price 40€ /set +-60 us $

[So Cal Mark]

IMHO, Abarth or not, they're just too massive and the wrong shape for the car