[DeTomaso] 74 front bumper options

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/9/10 4:03:39 PM, threemacs at aol.com writes:

> I have a good bit of rust up under the front bumper.  While I want to 
> keep the original look, I would like to know what options I have for front 
> bumpers on the 74 Pantera
> 
If what you're talking about is rust INSIDE the bumper, its repairable with 
difficulty: under a thin coating of rubber on the backside is a thick steel 
reinforcement strip. The backside rubber cracks, water gets in, rusts and 
swells the rubber making it lumpy. Over the years there have been a few ar 
ticles (can't remember by whom now) but they basically cut the rubber open, 
clean the steel reinforcing bar of rust and reseal the cut-open rubber with a 
rubber-specific cement, then paint the whole thing. Look on <
www.PanteraPlace.com>
Aternatively, all the vendors sell a fiberglas reproduction that's 
identical to the OEM except its about 15 lbs lighter but does not use the DOT 
tubular 2-mph shear-mounts, only the small end bolts under the fender. Your stock 
DeTomaso logo piece transfers to the flat-black fiberglas. Obviously you 
will no longer have a useable bumper for push-starting other cars(!)   Note 
that a couple of vendors also sell a REAR L bumper of fiberglas for more weight 
savings, or to fix crash damage. Finally, the chrome or satin-black pre-L 
bumpers fit all the cars but require bodywork to fill unused holes on an L 
Cheers- J Deryke.