The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Who sell the best '53 bumpers?

Hi,
Just getting started on a '53 and need a lot of new parts. Who sells the best repo bumpers? Chrome quality is my #1 priority, then fit, and then price.

Are you interested in original 1953 appearance? Or, do you like chrome?

The original 1953 bumpers were painted Anvil Gray (chrome was not put on 52-53 trucks - Korean Conflict limited non-military use of Nickel).

I got chrome bumpers from classicparts.com. they are beautiful with no sharp edges.

If you do not care about authentic appearance, pay a little more and not worry about chrome-quality.

I'm set on chrome bumpers. I see Classic industries has a "replacement" and a "OER Premier" bumper. Is their OER Premier the best on the market, aside from having it chromed by someone like Paul's Chrome?

Not sure if they are still in business..... got mine from Bills Speed Shop in Ohio and they have held up very well. Just a ewe short years ago I purchased the chrome for $150 bucks to my front door. Give them a call.

Did the truck come with a bumper? I took the original down to the local bumper shop where it was straightened and re-chromed. Cost was a bit more than a repro but worth it IMHO.

No original bumpers. Chrome shops around here will get at least $6-700 to chrome a bumper this size.

Chrome is the reason I stayed anvil gray on my 53. Do not expect show chrome on any repops, it just does not happen. They have decent chrome though and look good, if kept waxed should last. Most good chrome jobs come from south of the border where EPA does not rule the roost. There are exceptions though, so go to Good Guys shows and ask around when you see a chrome job you like.

If you want a recommendation on a chromer, Cambridge Custom Chrome did good work for me (several years ago).

They might use a USA drop point for work to be done in Canada (not in Mexico, if that makes any difference to anyone).

I went with stainless steel and took a little extra time and polished the backs. I think it was money well spent.

Here's some photos of a gray painted GM NOS Front Bumper

that I purchased ( 9 ) years ago on ebay .

GM # 7.831 - GM # 3700438

It came to me still in it's original GM packaging .

This would be my core if I ever wanted a chrome bumper .

My cost - $66.55 & $31.52 shipping = $98.07 in 2008 US dollars .

It lives in the rafters in my garage .

It has no dings , dents or scratches .


'54 3600

You would be money ahead if you were to locate a fanatic trying to restore a Korean War Era truck who needs a spot on correct bumper and can use it as an excellent example for creating a matching color for the hubcaps.

Hub caps (inner grill) - Thistle Gray (lighter)
Bumper - Anvil Gray (darker)

Well that's just stupid. Why wouldn't GM make them all the same shade? There was a war going on!
I change my former statement from worshiping these bumpers to recommending they be taken to the scrap yard. After all there is still a war going on.

"There was a war going on!" - no, not really/legally - just a conflict (that has not legally ended, yet)

"Why wouldn't GM make them all the same shade?"

For a little pizzazz while living through the austerity resulting from the firing/dying-stage of Korean Conflict (which was never technically/legally settled/ended).

This thread has reached the end of it's useful information.