[DeTomaso] Removing bumpers
klckmac at msn.com
klckmac at msn.com
Sun Mar 11 16:59:08 EDT 2012
Great info, thank you! Looking forward to the article.
FIberglass or bumperettes as some have or none at all; are these cars able to compete in events like the Silver State or other types of races out there?
Not that a 5mph bumper will help much at speed anyway, but maybe a legal or liability issue??
Ken
> From: JDeRyke at aol.com
> Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:59:48 -0400
> To: boyd411 at gmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Removing bumpers
>
> With an L, when you remove the front bumper and the shock absorbers, you'll
> find a network of overlapping sheetmetal seams where fenders & front panels
> are spot-welded together. Pre-Ls had this area bodyworked and leaded but Ls
> have it covered with the bumper. So besides the 2" holes for the bumper
> shocks and the rings of smaller holes, there's considerable bodywork for the
> 'bumperless look'. Removing the bumper & all the attachments lightens the
> front by about 60 lbs which you may notice as a change in handling. Removing the
> rear lightens things by another 15 lbs.
>
> The chrome bumpers do not qualify as 'body-protectors' at any speed and the
> L was only rated at 5 mph when new. A fiberglas replica is not much worse
> and is lighter and cheaper. FWIW, the bumper spec (Sept '72) was supposed to
> guard against headlight & tail light plus fuel system damage. It had nothing
> to do with human protection or body damage. That came later. I'd suggest a
> fiberglas L bumper painted body color as Tom Tjaarda wanted to do
> originally. There is an article on bumpers in the upcoming April newsletter (in the
> printers now). Good luck- J Deryke
>
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