Brackets Behind Bumperettes Options

[doug_b_928]

I removed these brackets (see pic below) from my 74 parts car front bumper. There were no such brackets on my 73 front bumper, but I supposed they could have been left off by a PO. The PET diagram doesn't show them... Are these brackets OE and, if so, were they on all 70-74 front bumpers? They look like stock pieces, fit perfectly between the bumper and the bumper mount bracket, and make sense to beef up the bumper a bit.

[Rusty_Rivets]

Likely the difference between models sold in the US and Canada/rest of the world. I think only the ones sold in the US had the bumperettes, due to the US 5 MPH bumper regulation:
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/09/50-years-...rs-fought-back/

My Canadian '73 doesn't have them.

[doug_b_928]

Canadian cars had the bumperettes the same as the U.S. cars. One of the few differences I'm aware of is that, as far as I know, all/most Canadian cars received the schutz undercoating, but not all US cars did. Oh, and the Canadian import sticker in the door jam, of course. But I digress... I'm referring to the steel brackets in the pic that sit behind the bumper and add reinforcement to the bumperettes by sitting in line with teh bracket that's welded into the bumper itself, which then receives the bolts to hold the bumper to the car. My 73 didn't have these steel brackets to help reinforce the bumperettes, but the 74 parts car did. I'm a stickler for originality but these brackets look like a good idea so I'll likely restore and use them on my 73 regardless, but I'm curious if my 73 would have originally come with them or not.

[dtmehall]

I have a 73 us model. my car has no such brackets.


mine was fitted (documented in many posts here) with 'dog bones' rubber reinforcements behind the bumper

i would think that a 73 bumper would be a different shape than yours since you have because of these much larger braces

[doug_b_928]

I should clarify, the braces pictured essentially bridge the back side of the bumper (where the bumperettes bolt on) and the front side of the bumper bracket (opposite side of the bracket to where the dog bones go). I should have taken a pic of them in situ. Sorry I’m not doing a good job of explaining this…

[bdstone914]

I should clarify, the braces pictured essentially bridge the back side of the bumper (where the bumperettes bolt on) and the front side of the bumper bracket (opposite side of the bracket to where the dog bones go). I should have taken a pic of them in situ. Sorry I’m not doing a good job of explaining this…

They are OE and i dont use them. All they do is dent the front panel. I dont the bumperettes either. Without them you have a few mire inches before you hit something.
If you hit anything with the bumperettes it bends the bumper.

[doug_b_928]

Thanks, Bruce, for confirming that they are OE.

[wonkipop]

@doug_b_928

i don't believe those brackets positioned behind the bumper horns are strictly original.

its been a while since i had my bumpers off during recommission. about 5-6 years ago.
but definitely don't remember anything exactly like that either front or rear.
and i think i would have remembered. and i have a very original unrestored car.

if i remember right, mine where more like this as illustrated.
i don't recall they had side flanges taking the bumper horn bolts through them.
but its been a while since i was in there.

its possible they changed the brackets along the way a bit during 74 and modified them.


EDIT
i wonder if someone modified rear reinforcement brackets and used them on the front bumper. i know the rear reinforcement lines up with the dog bones and attachment point and the rear horns are set directly over those.

but its different at the front. the horns do not line up with the dog bones and attachment point of the bumper. more inboard and horns are longer. it would be pointless to reinforce the bumper with those as its difficult to see how that would transfer load directly back to the body. i can see how they work at the back.

i would say its a mod of some sort if on the front bumper. i really do not think its there on mine at all. pretty sure the horns are directly fixed on with a washer and a bolt head from behind. but no reinforcing bracket to best of my memory.

[doug_b_928]

Yes, where you have circled in red is exactly where those brackets were but on the front bumper of my 74 parts car.

[wonkipop]

Yes, where you have circled in red is exactly where those brackets were but on the front bumper of my 74 parts car.

yeah - see my edit. bottom of post.

i'd have to take the bumper off mine to confirm, not something i plan to do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
but am inclined to agree with you. not normally on front.

[dtmehall]

doug_b_928

given the photos above, where are you saying this 'brackets' are inside the bumper?

do they replace the factory bracing shown in the photo

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[dtmehall]

doug_b_928

given the photos above, where are you saying this 'brackets' are inside the bumper?

do the replace the factory bracing shown in the photo

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[doug_b_928]

They were exactly like where the arrow is pointing to in the illustration. The only difference is, as shown in the photo in my first post, the ones on my parts car have flanges on the sides so that the bolts from the bumperettes pass through the bracket. The washer and nut that hold the bumperettes are then installed, holding the bumperettes and the bracket in place. The bracket fits snugly against the brace in the bumper. Theoretically it should act to make things stronger.