Rear Bumpers

Ok,

I've been doing a bit of research in my quest for a new(er) rear bumper. I've heard rumors that the Ginetta G15 and older Lotus Elan Plus 2s bumpers fit. Has anyone heard the same? I imagine the Ginetta bumpers will be like hens teeth, but maybe the Elan bumpers would be easier to find.

Does anyone know if the British have an equivalent to the American Hollander Interchange Manuals? Would be nice to know what parts direct bolt up to other cars. Of course, anything can bolt up to any car with enough modifications.

Thanks

Yes, A mate of mine told me the same. He has a Lotus Elan(he thinks) rear bumper in his shed but it's not an Elf one. So it looks like the hunt is still on I'm afraid

"our" rear bumpers are the same as the ginetta g15 and i believe. for the elan, they were cut in half, a section taken out of the centre and then re-welded to fit. this is the worst thing to be on the lookout for - new ones aren't available (why minispares or someone like that have never made 'em i'll never know!) and second hand ones seem scarce these days, and people with a spare are unwilling to part with them in case their "first choice" bumper ever gets a knock! that said they do show up at autojumbles and on ebay reasonably often. you could try kevin at bradford mini spares - Kevin.mini@btinternet.com

Big_Al_Smith wrote:why minispares or someone like that have never made 'em i'll never know!)

I had a quote to make them several years ago, cost was going to be about £300 each BEFORE chroming and he wanted a minimum order of 20 - anyone interested in paying about £700 for a bumper ?

These guys make stainless steel bumpers for the Lotus and a bunch of other cars. They're a British outfit located in Vietnam. Pretty pricey especially if the fit is not assured. Maybe if someone had the exact specs they could get these chaps to knock some up with the proper hole spacing, etc.
www.groupharrington.com/en

They also make some pretty sweet half-scale cars and an electric bubble car.

At £783 inclusive of postage (+import duty) If I needed one I think I'd rather wait for one to turn up!

TONYELF wrote:At £783 inclusive of postage (+import duty) If I needed one I think I'd rather wait for one to turn up!

Yes, they are a bit on the pricey side. That might be almost as much as I shelled out on nasty grilles before I finally found a good one.

Red Riley wrote:

TONYELF wrote:At £783 inclusive of postage (+import duty) If I needed one I think I'd rather wait for one to turn up!

Yes, they are a bit on the pricey side. That might be almost as much as I shelled out on nasty grilles before I finally found a good one.

S**t happens, that's ebay for you! Sod's law! ( a lot of liars on ebay, unfortunately)

Big_Al_Smith wrote: new ones aren't available (why minispares or someone like that have never made 'em i'll never know!)

The fact that there are less than 1000 Elfs/Hornets in existence? And what percentage of those need new bumpers?

About 12 years ago, I was heading back to Canada with Hornet in tow. I decided to gather up any bulky parts that I may have needed before I left the UK to save on shipping costs during the inevitable restoration. That included mostly body parts but I did come across some NOS bumpers, front and rear. I paid what seemed like silly money at the time and had nothing left in the budget for over riders.

Judging by the current lack of supply, I was lucky to get them when I did (although I still need over riders). The bumper pressings do not seem that complex so remanufacture must be an option and there must be a demand for say, a run of 100.

Is this something we would consider as a club backed proposition? Even gathering some sense of demand would be a start.

Tony

If the end price was something equivalent to a comparable semi-rare part, say a Clubman front bumper, at something like 200 US dollars, I'd be interested.

The fact that there are less than 1000 Elfs/Hornets in existence? And what percentage of those need new bumpers?[/quote]

Are there only 1000 elf/hornets in exisitance? I think that number is a bit low. Anyways though....Let's say there are only 1000 out there. Compound that with the Ginetta G15 and the Lotus 2 plus (I don't know if that one fits) then I'm sure you'd be able to up the number out there quite a bit.

And in my mind, all of them need bumpers....lol. If mine is pitted and creased, then they are all that way.....

AFHuey wrote:

asahartz wrote:The fact that there are less than 1000 Elfs/Hornets in existence? And what percentage of those need new bumpers?

Are there only 1000 elf/hornets in exisitance? I think that number is a bit low.

Fact I'm afraid - see here: Numbers thread

asahartz wrote:

AFHuey wrote:

asahartz wrote:The fact that there are less than 1000 Elfs/Hornets in existence? And what percentage of those need new bumpers?

Are there only 1000 elf/hornets in exisitance? I think that number is a bit low.

Fact I'm afraid - see here: Numbers thread

Mine wasn't even in the "new system" when I went to register/MOT/Tax it. I had to physically go to the DVLA and sort it all out. Was a mess but I'll have to say that your DVLA is light years ahead of the DMV's I've dealt with in the states. I only had to spend a day sorting all my mess out. In the states, it took me months to sort out a similar problem I had with my harley. But back to the subject....That is only in the UK as well. There are more in the US and even in Austrailia. None the less, We are a "dying breed" and I am working on restoring my current bumpers.

I am having serious problems sourcing a rear bumper. Am I correct in thinking that the Elf/Hornet rear bumper is also used by the Lotus Elan (is this the same width or wider) (if so, I'd buy one and chop it where the overriders fit), and 1960s Ginetta? If so it will give me a few other options for a fleabay search. The Lotus ones seem to go for about £100, which is less than a quarter of the price of a re-chrome.
Are the Elf/Hornet overriders also used by other models?
I am having trouble finding anyone reliable to repair and re-chrome the existing ones at anything less than the cost of another car
Anyone have any refinishers they would recommend? The cost of £700 doesn't sound that bad for a new item. I have been quoted £480 just to re-chrome the bumper and overriders without having any repairs done
It seems like a shame to spoil what is a very tidy car with a really poor bumper.

I'm getting to the stage where I will either make a fibreglass bumper, or grind off the seams an fit some mini bumpers

OMG, thought I would just phone my local classics/restoration specialists, quote for repair and re-chrome £1000

Looks like I will be bodging the old one. Repair, sand down and paint

There is a rechrome specialist in the Telford area I believe. have a look on the 'net
they may do repairs as well? the rechrome I used in St Helens only does chroming
http://www.ashfordchroming.com/area/chrome-plating/Telford

I have spent the last couple of days trying to get hold of Ashford chroming, they have a depot in Buckfast, which is fairly local. When I did finally manage to get hold of them, I found them to be unhelpful and blunt to the point or rudeness. There attitude was if you want a job done, put up with it or don't bother. I'm still waiting for the information they promised me yesterday lunchtime.
I'd rather poke my eyes out than deal with them. Whatever happened to good customer service.

There are quite a few "specialist firms" with this attitude along with some "one man bands" like plumbers,electricians etc. They seem to think that seeing they are "specialists" you should just accept their quotes /estimates "and you won't get a cheaper quote and there is no where else for you to go" attitude.
In the case of chromeworkers, they are very few and far between (unfortunately) but lets be fair, if your bumper has to be repaired in any way or form it is not going to be a straight forward "dip in acid and then chrome (with a copper coating dip in between job)" is it?
It's going to be a acid dip, repair, weld, grind, re weld and re-grind if nec.another acid dip etc etc not quite a straight forward job in their eyes. Not the sort of job they want in order to make fast money I suppose ?
Maybe they are busy, they may have forgotten to get back to you? Lets hope he hasn't fallen into the acid bath,
we would never find out!

Someone posted a chromer on here....I think it was in regards to some bonnet spears. Might try doing a search and see if that guy is better.

That may have been me? Willowchrome.St Helens? you can try her and Paul Daniels (not the magician!) Paul was very accomodating with me with my rear bumper £230 about three years ago but I'm sure he does no do welding but may know someone who does. Worth a shot?

Talked it over with my daughter who owns the car. She cannot see the point is spending such huge amounts of money on such a trivial item. (1/4 of the value of the car). She would rather have a holiday. So I will be sanding off the chrome, repairing it (fibreglass), and spraying it with some heavy etch primer and some metallic silver. We will just keep looking for a replacement until one shows up.

...or you could try this

http://www.specialistpaints.com/product.php?p=chrome-paint

...again not cheap!!!!

As you say, not cheap, but a quarter of the price of just the plating. Plenty of work to do before I get to the spraying
stage. Just read the notes of the product, it is 2 pack, so direct spray isn't an option, although the the spray cans
look like it is worth investigating.
£15 primer
£15 black base coat
£19 chrome
£15 clear coat

If my maths is correct that is £64

I'm not sure you will get a "key" to "bond" any paint to chrome ?