A few years ago I purchased a NOS Rear Bumper from a Buick Parts Collector/Swapper and was told it was for a 1972 however it did NOT have the holes in it for the Bumper Strips that surround the tail lights. It DID however have the 3 holes drilled in it for the Buick Emblem. (look closely at the photo's and you'll see the Bumper Emblem holes but NOT the Guard holes) He thought it was a "Bumper Guard Delete" version. I really didn't mind if the Bumper Guards were on or not, I just liked the fact that it was basically a brand new bumper that had never been on a car. I never did use it until I purchased a 71 GS a couple years ago (for parts) and it had an N-25 Bumper on it that somebody had painted Black. It was in "OK" shape but the thought came to me to cut out the Exhaust Holes and graph them into my NOS Bumper creating what would essentially be a Brand New N-25 Bumper. So I did and here are the results........ The Chrome on this bumper was new but 40+ year old technology so after the cutouts were graphed in we had it re-chromed by Keystone in MN. It turned out awesome! This will find its way on to one of the cars I'm currently working on later this summer. . See our products here > D C Muscle Cars Done Correct!. Currently available . . . . Engine Cradles, Wiring Diagrams, Grade 8 Engine Bolt Kits, Factory AMK Exhaust Bolts, King of Torque Youre Gonna Need a Bigger Hemi Banners, License Plates & Stickers, Buick Console Decals & More! 455 Engine Building Service Frame Off Restorations Distributor Rebuilding
DANG! Great minds think alike... Ive been after a wasted bumper where I can cut out the holes and get them replated (or paint them black) and then "flange" them into my nice, non N25. A half dozen stainless screws will lend itself to an industrial look. Can you tell I hate judges? I think your job turned out really nice, HOWEVER, be advised that especially up this way, pitting (even micro pitting especially around the inside welded areas) will produce a red dot of rust and accelerate from there. Id do 2-3 layers of catalyzed clear coat on those inside areas (maybe even the whole bumper inside!) for peace of mind. I changed out my front bumper that was only slightly rusty and after a good wire brushing painted it with chrome aluminum spray paint for no more rust. I thought there were some other subtle differences between the 71-72s besides the holes for the rubber. Maybe the BUICK emblem in the center was a late model year change for 71s? ws
Good ideas you have also! I think the Bumper Emblem was 1972 only as the 71 models had the Buick Emblem on the Trunk Lid. Thanks for checking it out.
The holes are one part of the equation and then theres the tips. I have a 3" SS system turned down slightly at the rear bumper, and the weird tip hangers. I don't mind making stuff; theres even those Olds' trumpet horn tips. However they look kinda tacky compared to OEM Buick stuff. Now I'm starting to think about those foreign jobs with "doubles" on each side... I need a nap LOL... Your stuff did turn out nice though! ws
As with all of your work, nice job Todd. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing photos. The rubber surrounding the taillights was an option in 1972. On the GS order form they were part of option N6 (RPO VE5) BUMPER PROTECTIVE STRIPS, FRONT & REAR. Early in the year the cost was $24.23 but during the year there was a price change on almost all options and the cost became $24.00. Almost all '72s received this option. According to the Buick Daily Car Reports, 100% of 852 of the GS convertibles got this option. Of the 7,723 GS hardtops (GS350, GS455, GS Stage 1), 7,709 got this option. There were two cars built at Fremont that didn't get these protective strips, and there were 12 cars built at Flint that didn't get them. All of the Framingham cars had them installed at the factory according to the Daily Car Reports.
Wow, that's pretty cool info!! Thanks for sharing. And thanks for checking it out as well as the compliment! Much appreciated
Hey Gary... now I am really confused (so what else is new??). So Todd cut up that ultra rare 1 of 2000+ bumpers for the creation of an N25 bumper. Where my confusion comes in to play is that it seems to me that ALL 72's (even plain Jane skylarks and specials) had the strips. It was just an identifying feature of the 1972 model. That's why I thought maybe the Buick badge bolted on in the center was an early 72 mod to finish off the stockpile of 71 bumpers. Just seems odd that to keep a few on hand or all the tooling required to punch a dozen 1/4 slotted holes for a few special orders wouldnt be cost effective. I am not good with numbers, but how many 1972 units were built in total? Your numbers report on the GS models, but man, there had to be 10,000 regular skylarks built too. Can you clue me in please? Driving and owning these cars for 45+ years and only on my second 1972 I never paid attention. In 1973 that rubber came with the addition of that white pinstripe down the center; at least that's the way I remember my '73 Century Stage 1 as being. Please elaborate! Bill in TR
I also thought I read somewhere that those Rubber Bumper Guards were a government mandated thing sometime in 72 ?!?!
"also thought I read somewhere that those Rubber Bumper Guards were a government mandated thing sometime in 72 ?!?! " Seem to recall that as well... it was a prelude to the 5mph crash absorption standard from the FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) for 1972. I was working as a sniveling engineer at Hendrickson Mfg. in Lyons Il. then and the biggest headache we encountered for any of the semi tractors (or other road equipment etc) was the mandatory inclusion of front brakes of all things. That's when ol' Ralph Nader was on watch! ws http://www.hendrickson-intl.com/Company/History
Yes it seems like they all had the rubber on the rear bumper but a few cars didn't (as well as some of the replacement bumpers sold through the dealership). With such a high percentage of cars receiving this option, it almost seems that Buick made it a mandatory option because no other option was installed on as many of the '72 GS models. I don't have detailed data for the Skylarks but I suspect we would find a similar situation with nearly all cars getting the option.
I too have heard that the rubber was not on every bumper. There is a member stratoblue on here thats sold a lot of NOS 72 parts and I bought a bunch from him. In his stash he shows a 72 part number with no rubber NOS 72 rear
