Best place for bumpers?

[NotNormal]

At that stage where I need to start getting some external brightwork. Had a Google, as you do, plus a load of searching but thought i'd ask the collective for any info that people would like to share.

I need new front and rear bumpers along with the overiders. I gather Mini Spares items were pretty good but no longer do them and i'd prefer the stainless steel items for longetivity and easier maintenace. So anyone able to advise as to where is the best place to purchase them from these days, WP any good for example?

[mk1]

Its up to you of course & its undeniable that Stainless Steel doesn't rust like chrome on steel,. but to my eye they always look dull & slightly yellowish. Personally speaking, I'd go for chrome every time.

[NotNormal]

Thats an interesting point about the colour. Mmm, something else to now consider..

So in terms of fit and fitment for either chrome or SS, are they all pretty much the same these days or are some better than others?

[mk1]

Some are definitely better than others, but as I have not bought any for a few years, I will have to let other people comment on the current ones available.

[COOPERMAN]

I have come across this problem a few times lately when customers want a decent quality bumper instead of the really awful LMC ones that just don`t fit without scratching all your new paintwork!
If you contact Somerford Mini they can now supply really good quality stainless bumpers with proper turned edges from Japan for under £50 each, i have fitted several pairs of these to customers cars and can highly recommend their quality and fit

[814CWE]

who does a good chrome bumper apart from that chinese rubbish you see at shows that bashes the back seams and is 15 mm too tall?

surely sombody soon shud remake the chrome bumper to o/e spec?

us lot with the mk1-2-3 surely dont want stainless..especially on show cars

[NotNormal]

Cheers for the responses so far guys, appreciated.

Think I am verging now towards chrome, especially as the grille has just been freshly chromed, so would look a missmatch I expect.

294 views to date and not many responses either proves its a very tricky subject we are all stuck on or everyones getting a bit shy these days in coming forward with info

[814CWE]

always the case...
sombody must have some correct contour bumpers,,
ive just bent one on my 62
i need one..

[Dean]

Snap I after a pair for my 62. I have 1 set of S/S bumpers I got from a mate. But I not happy with the fit. The car is out being blasted so want to get the right bumpers and make sure they fit before it goes for paint.

May give sumerfords a call.

[66S]

Stainless steel can be chrome plated but I expect it will make a bumper very expensive. It would also need to fit well before you'd even bother.

Al

[olddad]

Stainless cannot be chromed. Chrome over riders, although less expensive than stainless, don't look right with stainless bumpers. The opposite is also true. A nice '62 needs five hole bumpers to be "right."

I've found the best place for bumpers is on either end of the car, down low in the area of the valance.

[66S]

Sorry, I disagree with you. I've had it done and if it can be done in New Zealand, I think it will be available elsewhere.

Regards
Al

[mk1]

You can definitely chrome over stainless steel. Not all platers can do it as you have to use fancy activators to act as an intermediary between the dissimilar metals. You will pay more for the process but it certainly can be done. The plater may also be ticklish about warranties when he sees it's a bumper that you want doing.

[mk1]

Some info here.

Not a recommendation, just a bit of info off the net.

http://www.premierplatingworks.co.uk/

[Gray]

One way to go is to get some black nos mayfair bumpers, strip the paint off braze in the 2 extra bolts into the lip that is the same as on an early car then plate, but don't these platers know how to charge!!!!

[814CWE]

thats wot i was thinkin yesterday but these aint exactly flowing from the spares shops either are they these days? lol

[Gray]

Chris (Broadspeed GT on here) may still have some always worth asking.

[almondgreen]

I have another bumper question.
Has anyone ever made alloy bumpers ?

[olddad]

I wish I had a shop in my area that could chrome over stainless. All the shops I contacted said that stainless couldn't be chromed. I have 5 good old bumpers to be repaired and chromed. I can get the knocks out and ready myself, and the cost for chroming is certainly expensive.

When one compares the cost of a total resto on one of these bumpers against the cost of a bumper for a new car, the price for the Mini bumper is really quite reasonable. The corresponding parts for my Bini are much more, and when considering one car is appreciating while the other is depreciating, the cost of the Mk1 isn't bad at all.

[rolesyboy]

I have a guy local to me who will do a deal on a batch of bumpers. Is it worth a few of us clubbing together and getting this done? I am in Essex and have several 5 bolt bumpers which I would prefer to use in place of the stainless stuff on there at the moment. Let me know if you think this is workable and I will get a price provided people are fully committed. Cheers. Mark