Looking for suggestions on what to do with the Bumpers on my RT/SE

[71GranCoupe]

Looking for open minded thoughts on how to approach the bumpers. Been wondering what is the best to do for the hazing and dulling on the bumpers for my RT/SE Challenger survivor.  The paint shows very nice, but the bumpers are just butt ugly with the hazing and the one or two small dents/bends. They are the originals and have dulled and hazed since they were new when built in 1969. Should I get them straightened and replated. And of course just buying new Keystone or AMD and keep the originals stored as they are is an option. The only thing that is not original is the exhaust. It was replaced (as expected for a car that old) by the previous owner. The back mufflers were never put back on, so only has the fronts with the NOS tips. So, hopefully you can see why I am at a spot of wanting to improve the looks, just not sure what to think. I know for a fact, it is always easier to make suggestions on someone else's car, so any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks. 

Couple of pictures with poor lighting.

[Brads70]

I'd suggest getting yours re-chromed. I bought a new one and am not happy with the stamping. The gap between the bumper and tail lights is off ( tapered) . I still have my original and might get in re done at some point.

[Cuda Cody]

If it was me, I would just polishing them up with some chrome polish and leave them original.  The Keystones are much better then AMD (IMO) but nothing is as good as the originals.  Having an all original car is so rare these days.   

[Chryco Psycho]

I had mine replated & made them promise not to straighten them as there fit perfect

[headejm]

I had mine replated recently and it cost more than new replacements. Didn't bother me at all. Your car is super nice and I would keep it as original as possible. I'm with Cody, clean 'em up and enjoy. What engine do you have?

[Topcat]

Without even thinking twice, I would send out for re chroming.   

Mine were a 3-4 week turn around. $3-$400 was the going rate.

Those guys restoring giant 50's era chrome bumpers I hear are up to $900 to be re plated.

Nice car BTW.    

[anlauto]

If you're car is all original, then leave it that way....I would correct the exhaust before I worried about the bumpers

[cataclysm80]

Couple of pictures with poor lighting.

Your bumpers look great in poor lighting.   
They really don't look bad at all from here.   On a survivor car that's original paint and hasn't been messed with, the best thing is to continue not messing with it.  It's only original once, and you might chip the paint or something while working on it.  Once you start restoring parts, it's that much less of a survivor.
I'd suggest polishing the chrome, and then coating it with car wax to protect it, followed by keep enjoying your car.
If anyone points out that your bumpers are hazy looking, impress them with stories of how it's a 47 year old unrestored survivor.

Survivors show some age.  They aren't as crisp and shiny as a fresh restoration.  If you're really craving that perfect new car look, I'd suggest buying another E body to restore instead of making a survivor less original.  (Hey, you could have more E Bodies.  )


In the future, if it ever gets to the point where the bumper is rusted and the chrome is peeling off in sheets, have your originals rechromed.  If the bumpers are really to ugly to be on the car, then there's no point to putting them into storage for later and swapping on new bumpers.  You'll never want ugly bumpers back on the car.  Just rechrome the originals and put them back on the car.  That's more original than replacement bumpers.

[71GranCoupe]

Thanks for all the great advice and input guys.    With all the info shared, this idea of bumper improvement will go to the bottom of the list. I did pick up a new pair of bumpers, guess I will put them on my old vert. I can always revisit this later, and you are right, once it has been altered, no going back. I was looking at the engine compartment the other day and it still has the original ac pulley belts from the day. They actually looked quite good for the age. As far as getting more E-Bodies, I am really trying to downsize. I had been holding out for the latest generation Hemi Challenger Drop top, but gave up two years ago and went a different direction. I am working (ever so slowly) on a 71 Gran Coupe. I have always had a soft spot for high option cars and this one might just break the bank.    Again, thanks for all the advice and opinions.

[cataclysm80]

You can get a new Challenger convertible if you really want one.
If I remember correctly, Drop Trop Customs in High Springs Florida built some new convertible Challenger prototypes for Chrysler, but production was cancelled due to terrible car sales when the bottom fell out of the economy and Chrysler was sold to Fiat.
Anyway, the prototypes were complete, and since Chrysler wasn't going to offer them, he decided that he'd do the conversions for anybody that wanted one.   He's converted over 100 Challengers so far, and I see them around now and then.  They're VERY NICE!
If I was going to get a new Challenger, pretty sure I'd want one of his convertibles, just because practically no one else has one, and it draws a lot of attention.   

[headejm]

How much $ for the conversion? 

[cataclysm80]

I'm not sure, but I know it said in a magazine article that I read.

Price probably changed since then anyway.  Best to ask him.
http://www.droptopcustoms.com/showroom/challenger/

http://www.droptopcustoms.com/

[71GranCoupe]

How much $ for the conversion? 

I had even thought about the conversion, but only for a moment, when I heard the conversion was somewhere 20-30k. Besides, I really wanted the real thing. Oh well.

[headejm]

Sounds like there might be a business opportunity for some resourceful mopar fanatics? 

[61K T/A]

If the bumpers match the patina of the car, I would Flitz them and be done. Or, look for a better set of OE bumpers. That's a pretty good size dent in the rear.