1934 repo bumpers.
 

The original bumpers off of my low milage Fordor appear almost too dinged up to be replated. Is there a "best" supplier of reproduction bumpers or are they all made by the same manufacturer. I searched the forum threads and can't find an answer. What should I look for when I buy a pair? Thanks !

Gar Williams

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

There are now two sources of 34 bumpers naturally the US one that has been making them for years and now an off shore company.

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

Replate your originals if possible. Repro ones are too thin, not made from spring steel, and don't have nearly enough chrome on them. Stainless are too dull. My 2 ¢

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I'm with Lawson.

Also, as you have a low mileage car it would be a shame to replace original parts. These things do take some work to straighten. A heavy hand hammer and a selection of Dollies will get the job done, or if you have a Blacksmith nearby he will be able to do the job.

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

Please post photos of your "dinged" original bumpers so as to assess the possiblity of rechroming them. Do all you can to keep original bumpers on your car as a tribute to Henry Ford. Plus, when you go to a car show, CARS DO TALK TO EACH OTHER. Don't embarass your car by making it have to admit it's not wearing the genuine real steel.

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I bought a repro '34 bumper from Sacramento vintage Ford a while back, advertised as "spring steel". It was so soft and thin that the steel bent out of shape when my 12 yr old daughter (normal size kid) leaned against it at a car show.

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

The original 33 & 34 bumpers had a ( 0 ) stamped on the back side. sometimes only a partial of the 0 made contact leaving a ( c ) . Both of mine are stamped on the left side (while looking at installed bumpers) lee34

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

If I had a low mileage car I would post an ad in the wanted section and be patient. It would be a shame to use repros.

Charlie Stephens

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I have done both (original replated & repros) I would go for replating the originals, much better quality & price is about the same. I was in a hurry & bought a repro I don't think I will do that again.
Gary.

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I agree with others who are advising you to stay with original bumpers, re-chromed if necessary, rather than buying reproduction. I was at a street rod show last weekend and I noticed that almost every old Ford that I looked at had reproduction bumpers. It got to the point that I could spot them easily from 10-15 feet away.

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

Thanks for all the good words!

It appears to me that what I have in one original and one repo bumper. The grooves on the front are significantly different between the two. What appears to be an original has a sharper edge and the number 5 stamped in two places on the back. The second bumper has no number stamped on the rear face an a groove that was done with a different die with a larger radius.

The car came out of a large Southern California collection of Ford flatheads and it is my understanding the the now deceased owner was not a purist. He had installed a 59AB, converted it to 12 volts, and covered the seats with black vinal over the original upholstery. The car had not been finished when he passed away. It is a standard Fordor and had been poorly resprayed in black a long time ago. I have refinished it in coach Maroon with Black fenders. I have the correct engine to install at a later date.

Thanks for your advice, I am now looking for a pair of original bumpers and will have them replated at my favorite "triple" chrome shop.

Gar Williams

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

Interested in digging deeper re repro bumpers - Are units that Drake offers one of the two that you reference Dick - are all known repro's "thinner" than original? I know they are not "spring" tempered. Are they not true on in shape and design detail?

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I have a pair of Drake steel repops and they are definitely thinner, though look pretty good. I have a 'VERY" rusty original and if you pick them up, one in each hand, there is no doubt of the weight difference. If I had decent originals. I would go with rechroming.

Milt K from Pa

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

12 years ago bought(bd) repos. After 7 years the chrome started showing pit rust on the front. Used XXX steel wool and plate wax, they dulled. Thin chrome. Had my origianl bumper rechromed, Much happier. Repo bumper for short term, rechrome for long term. JMO

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

My '34 Ford P/U presently has a fairly nice auto bumper on it needing replateing if someone has a fairly nice 1934 Ford P/U commercial bumper that needs replating.
George Maher (Fargo, ND).

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I followed the suggestion about weight differences between original and reproduction bumpers. I was surprised as to how much heavier are the originals. Now to find a good spring scale that I can take with me when I go shopping for an original. It is a great way to identify the original bumper. Gar Williams

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

I'm pretty sure there is some repro trim on my 39.... is there an easy way to tell if my bumpers & guards are original? (I know my running boards are repro, they are stamped "bob drake" on bottom.)

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

What I have been told is that there will be a stamped number on the back of the bumper. My "expertise" is primarily Model A's which also had a stamped mark on the back of original bumpers. That at least should be a start. Gar Williams

Re: 1934 repo bumpers.
 

Do you have any chromed 1934 Ford Coupe bumpers for sale in good condition ??

John 908-580-1536 or [email protected]