Richard Daugird

The more I look at my '74 rear bumper the more I dislike it. I am not selling my car and buying an older one. Talk me out of a '68-'73 rear clip swap...

4-vettes

I didn't like the look of the rear bumper on my 77 when I first got it. so years ago I bought a indy style rear spoiler.
I've been happy with the look for many, many years now.

RedsFan

My ‘Vette is a ‘73. I personally love the look of the rubber front bumper and rear chrome.

Sorry, I’m kinda talking you into what you wanted to be talked out of. Ignore me.

Bikespace

You might find some inspiration in this thread.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums....php?t=4560801

EDIT: I also hate the look of the stock 74-79 bumper. I am glad neither of my cars has one. I'd likely use an ACI bumper on my 80, too, if I had to replace it.

Torqued Off

I think the rear ends on 74-79 are unique and special in their own way. The best thing I like about it is that the way the backup and reverse lights are recessed is exactly the look of the speedo and tach recessed into the dash. It also flows very well in a side view.... The hatred or dislike for these rear ends is more a "catchy" thing for Corvette guys to criticize than it is really a bad look. I like the look. THAT would be the best way for you to deal with this is to realize its nice just the way it is. You don't have to listen to all the rubber bumper haters.

You telling me this looks bad?? I think not.

Eric P

Chrome will rust so why risk it when GM fixed the problem in 74 ? Lol , I like the 79 pace car spoiler and seems like a easy addition if you can have the paint matched easily

Bikespace

Yes. The rear bumper is awful, but that's not your fault. That's a great picture of a really nice car.

What year Corvette had those wheels?

Torqued Off

Well......that is YOUR opinion. Not mine. There is no such thing as right or wrong about it.....yet some like to say there is.

Those wheels are 2020 wheels....bought by me in 2020, and installed on my 77. American Torq Thrust 17" wheels....made specifically with the C3 Corvette correct backspacing.

Richard Daugird

Those are the 17" equivalent of the Torq-Thrust "D", with curved spokes which came out in '65 to fit the '65 Vette's new disk brakes-hence the "D". The original Torq-Thrusts had straight spokes.

It's not so much that I "hate" the rear bumper, mine is even the smoother one-year only '74 without the bumperettes. I just really like the earlier tail-and if I had one, I would NOT put bumpers on it. This car really has me over a barrel...

Bikespace

Yes, I know. My (missed) point was that those wheels are a bolt-on appearance mod. The only difference between new wheels and bolting on an 80-82 rear bumper is that the 80-82 rear bumper is a Corvette part, just from a different year.

FWIW, here's an 80-82 bumper on a sugar scoop car, and some early style bolt-on bumpers (you can see the seam).







No bumperettes on the ACI-style bumpers either. Bonus photo.

Bikespace

I wasn't even looking, but Facebook wanted me to see this 77 for sale for $50K(!). That seems like a lot for a car with an automatic transmission. I guess the 80-82 bumper, and Torq Thrust Ds really add a lot of value!

100amps

There yah go. No group-think here. Everyone hates Nickelback but nobody knows why.

Richard Daugird

It's not so much that I HATE it, in fact last night I was in the garage having a few beers and looking at it, now that I have lowered the car and put wider wheels on it, it's starting to grow on me again. I have always had it in the long term plans to put L88-style flares and hood, so if it will need repainting anyway, I may as well just go all the way and do the rear clip. I've been studying on it and it is definitely something I am capable of doing.

SteveG75

On my convertible.

Richard Daugird

I guess I need to see a good 3/4 shot on a red coupe. I can always unbolt it and sell it later if/when I do the rear clip.

Tranz Zam

For me the 74-79 rear end needs the 78 Pace Car spoiler. Without it, it's too bullet shaped. It looks like it drops off too fast.

The 80-82 rear end on a 74-79 looks awesome. It squares off the back of the car, and has a nice little spoiler built in.

derekderek

they had to push something 5 mph out in a hurry in 74. it sucked. the 80-82 is a very nice tribute to the 68-73 rear clip. i don't need to talk you out of doing the conversion. she will... https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-project.html doorgunner has a 68 rebuild that includes redoing the front and rear cuz somebody grafted 76 stuff on it. i am next after those two.

Torqued Off

I do like the original back end ofthe 74-77,....as I have stated. BUT.....if I was interested in changing it, wouldn't it be nice if someone made a bolt on fiberglass piece that woudl sit on top of the stock bumper cover, and mimic what the 80-82 back end did. I have considered trying to develop something, i.e make it, mold it....and make it available for sale. There are so many people who want to change the 74-77 rear bumper look.. it may be marketable. IF I did it, it would be more subtle than the 80-82,.....but in general the same shape. Just a nice turn up at the from the side view, and then extend down to just above the lights. Look at the yellow car above, and imagine it as a perfect fit, bolt on piece. I think it would better than the Pace Car spoiler....which really looks obvious and very much a bolt on look, especially the sides which seem to me to be unnecesssary. My spoiler would be more subtle.......what do you guys think?

Richard Daugird

What do I think? I think it is all VERY subjective. Even though it is one bodystyle, there four distinct(at least to Vette guys) different body treatments. Not one is better than the other, we just like what we like. Isn't that the American way? I'd rather drive ANY Vette than a car from Japan. Even though my daily ride is a Ranger(really a Mazda )

Richard Daugird

I think it would be difficult to make an '80-'82 spoiler that would sit on top of the '74-'77 cover. It would look like what it is, an afterthought. But then again I am a picky SOB. I am willing to tear the back end off my freshly painted car because I have '68-'73 tail envy!