Year models and bumpers - help pleaes

[Bluerex]

Hi Group, I have to "pick" a year model for my rally project. Once locked in, the external details of the car have to adhere to that model - my concern in particular are the bumpers. My car is plated 4.77 but I wouild like to run plastic bumpers (cause that's wot the factory Grp2 had + easier to replace after tagging trees/banks/etc) so my question is... when were plastics introduced (anywhere worldwide) and was there a cross-over period??

C

[Oneofthegreats]

It would of had to have been late 78 - early 79.
My old yellow Mk1 build was 8.78 with steel bars.
My Mk1 build is 3/79 with plastic bars.

[Golfwise]

My belief is the 79 models have the plastic bars.
Try not to run the metal ones as they are scarce enough without some who don't care about our local scene and sell them overseas for a quick gain .It is a shame as some who can't afford to do up their mk1 because of silly parts prices will probably buy Jap where they can get bits at sensible prices and we will be flooded with bumper less Mk1s nobody wants.

[gotrice]

Hey Big C - would it be possible to make fibreglass copies of the steel bumpers? That way they would be light and easy to fix/replace.

[Bluerex]

Nahh...

Hey Big C - would it be possible to make fibreglass copies of the steel bumpers? That way they would be light and easy to fix/replace.

I dont think so Tim. Part of the problem is that you have to run with the actual parts homologated, not ones that just look the same (Likewise plastic windows are banned in Production Rally Class- guess that's the whole Production thing)

C

Might get away with pressed steel replicas - but not alloy ones

[Golf Loon]

I have lots of sets of bumpers if you want genuine Charles.
Either original with rust and dints,
There is a mob near me who will straighten bent ones and rechrome them for $220 each. (exchange)
Personally I reckon the plastics look much better than the chromes anyway.

[Bluerex]

I have lots of sets of bumpers if you want genuine Charles.
Either original with rust and dints,
There is a mob near me who will straighten bent ones and rechrome them for $220 each. (exchange)
Personally I reckon the plastics look much better than the chromes anyway.

I may end up with metal ones... painted black of course so the chome-ness (and rust-ness) aint such a problem. It is just a matter of eligibility

C

[syncro]

Plastics came in 8/78. ('79 model year along with the plastic rear panel)

[gotrice]

In that case C you might as well go with the plastic as they are far lighter than the steelies and have a lot more resiliance when it comes to little taps from say trees or star posts or spectators, ralley marshals etc.