The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop A quality Bumper

I just read the post about Woody getting a nice wiring harness and thought I'd share one about a bumper.

Although I have a "vendor of choice" I always try to do my research and put it in black and white. I checked out Classic,JC,Classic Chev,LMC and couple others. Checked price, with discount, add in shipping ect ect. BUT here is where I ended up.
For some time Bills Speed Shop has advertised bumpers in Old Cars Weekly from $105 up. Well, I called and called and was about to give up when I finally got an answer. You see, Bill is not with us any longer but BOB is!! He is in the shop by himself and can't get to phone every time as he is by himself but I was patient.
Had a nice conversation with him and he told me these bumpers are triple plated and guaranteed for 5 years and he had only one return in a loooong time for a scratch. Well, the cost for my 52 panel was $146.83 including shipping to my front door. 3 day delivery by Fed-X.
WOW what a nice looking bumper. It came with a sticker that included the plating process. The material(bumper), semi-bright nickel, strike nickle, bright nickel, and finally chrome. Its slick as a button and is pretty darn smooth on the back side. Edges are smooth and somewhat rounded. Man, it looks good. I ask him if he would give stovebolters a 10% discount but he said he'd have to check into it.

I'm not sure of the manufacturer but I'm checking into it. Man, two days later and I'm still smiling. If you want his address and number I'll give it to you. I'm hoping attention to him will not spoil it for others and drive the price up. I'm one happy chipmunk

I plan on buying another one for the front.
As another stovebolter said....when will our "regular vendors" quit accepting junk quality and passing it on to us. If this little guy can give us a good product at a good price then the rest of the bulk buyers should be able to as well.

Wow, what a nice bumper.

Awesome news Alvin ...See Chipmunks know how to scrounge for the best NUTS and not be happy with substandard ones..they toss those out!...cant wait for pics of the Panel!

Thanks for passing that on Alvin. And in another vein I only feel obliged to spread the word about the crappy quality of the items that will make up my ’54 rear bumper.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/bumpers__trim&page=all
Boy I sure wish we could compile these reports for easy reference when ordering parts. I have yet to run into person taking the order that will tell you what a piece of crap they are about to send you. Send it back you say? Sure, and pay more shipping charges.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Can you post a link to the website? I'm ready for bumpers for my burb. Thanks for the info.

They have no web site.
Here is information.

Bills Speed Shop
13951 Millersburg Rd. S.W.
Navarre, Ohio 44662
phone.. 330-832-9403


Remember, Bob is the only one there so if he don't answer on your first try it again later. Tell Bob your a Stovebolter and the guy from S.C. recommended him. This will let the guy know there are many of us out here!!

Note: I've searched on the information I have and believe the bumpers actually come from N.J. Not sure where they are actually made. I took another look at my bumper today and smiled.
For the money you can't go wrong.

Note #2...when I peeled the sticker off the back of the bumper, figuring it would come off anyway, there is a "film" left that says VOID. Something like the old windshield inspection stickers or car tag decals. So, these folks must be pretty professional and concerned about their products.
ALSO I notice they are TS16949 Certified. http://www.ts16949.com/index.html

To some this certification may not mean much but for those, like myself, who have helped a plant or corp. achieve ISO or TS certification's knows it should be a better product even though some may disagree. For a company to do this they must intend to stay in business and control quality and other aspects.

American made? do we know?

I don't know except they "come out of" N.J. judging by the warrantee sticker that was on the bumper.
That said I would suspect they are made overseas....but so far they look the best of any I've bought which may simply mean a buyer/vendor has demanded a little better quality. If you've ever bought a repop and get one of these you'll definitely know the difference.
I may try to snap a pic of two and see how they come out.