Best choice would be to find a decent original front bumper (one that was originally painted) and get it chromed. My experience with repop bumpers is that they are super soft (not spring steel like the originals), and don't have the nice rounded edges like the originals. They look shiny but not really correct, if that's what you're going for. I know that getting a bumper chromed is expensive, but you'd have one that's correct (and safer with the spring steel.) I believe all the suppliers of the repop bumpers use the same source.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
A few years back I bought a stainless steel front bumper from Bob's Classic Auto Glass in Blachley Oregon. I do not know if he is still producing them. He told me that he was not happy with the reproduction bumper he bought for his 1954 Chevy truck. He had a batch of stainless ones made and sold the extras. I consider the bumper I received a quality piece at a fair price at the time. The transaction was through the popular auction site, but due to a shipping address error on my part I had to contact him directly. The help he provided was exceptional. I highly recommend this product if it is still available. My experience with his company and him personally was five star. Try contacting him at [email protected]
I don't know anything about reproduction bumpers but I can attest to the quality of an original. Someone backed into my '51 1/2 ton with painted bumper. The end of the bumper flexed into the front of the passenger side fender, denting it. The bumper itself suffered scuffing of the paint but absolutely no bend or kinking at all. That was when I became aware that the bumpers were spring steel.
A member just posted one for sale in the Truck Parts for Sale forum.
Craig
My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
The seller of my truck included two reproduction bumpers from JC Whitney and one original bumper. An easy way to tell them apart is that the original is 0.25" thick; the reproduction ones are 0.15" thick (9 guage sheet metal?)
1950 GMC 100 Panel Truck, 1958 270, 3-spd Saginaw with BW OD, 3.73 12 Bolt Differential from a 1966 C10, Front Disc Brakes Bought it in pieces 9-1976, driving since 6-1978 Follow in the DITY
Thanks! I've had a bonus all these years and did not know it.
1950 GMC 100 Panel Truck, 1958 270, 3-spd Saginaw with BW OD, 3.73 12 Bolt Differential from a 1966 C10, Front Disc Brakes Bought it in pieces 9-1976, driving since 6-1978 Follow in the DITY
