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#586021 - 06/18/09 10:36 AM 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper...
198686d Offline

Bronze Member
Jedi Trainee

Registered: 07/02/08
Posts: 239
Loc: University City, MO
that is the question. What's the consensus on the most classic "look" of the BugEye. I have an opportunity to purchase a front bumper and along with the hardware to install it. I know bumpers were optional when the BE's came out. Looking for your opinions.

Thanks,

Dave in University, MO
_________________________
scootafan

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#586022 - 06/18/09 10:45 AM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: 198686d]
drooartz Offline

Gold Member
Yoda

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 5496
Loc: Utah, USA
I like the bumpers myself. Really, it's a personal thing. Most you see won't have the bumper.
_________________________
Drew Frink -- http://www.drooartz.com
'59 AH Sprite (The Tunebug), '07 Triumph Bonneville, '09 Honda Fit Sport
"Isn’t it cute how, no matter now much work a Bugeye needs, he still smiles?" -- my wife

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#586027 - 06/18/09 10:59 AM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: drooartz]
Gundy Offline

Silver Member
Jedi Warrior

Registered: 03/04/09
Posts: 667
Loc: Pumpkintown S.C.
I like bumpers too. Forward tilt bonnets rules them out for some
and many like the bumperless clean look. I also needed a place
to mount the fog/driving lights. I think bumpers do have a purpose and place in reducing front in dingers.
That said, the front lines of a BE are almost too classic
to "cover up".
Granny says "That's why they make chocolate and vanilla."
_________________________
David Harrison
1960 Sprite w/ mods
1971 MGB

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#586028 - 06/18/09 11:04 AM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Gundy]
Trevor Jessie Offline

Gold Member
Yoda

Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 5698
Loc: Louisville KY
I sold my front bumper and brackets recently. I finally decided that I would never use them. They can be used with front tilt bonnets without too much trouble.
_________________________
1970/2 MG Midget
Future Engine Swap Project
_________________
1958/9 Sprite AN5L/1499
1275 SuperCharged
Datsun 5-speed
_________________
Great car show: http://www.britishbash.com

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#586036 - 06/18/09 11:23 AM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Trevor Jessie]
Whitephrog Offline
Jedi Knight

Registered: 02/23/06
Posts: 959
Loc: Tennessee
The new Whitephrog will have a newly chromed front bumper only because I'm anal about originality on this car. I preference is a bumperless front.
_________________________
Ray N. Evans
Oak Ridge, Tennessee

AN5L 9382 The new "Whitephrog"

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#586045 - 06/18/09 11:45 AM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Whitephrog]
Gray_Cat Offline

Silver Member
Jedi Warrior

Registered: 07/08/05
Posts: 434
Loc: Los Angeles California
I like them, however I won't be using mine as I converted the bonnet to a front tilt. I know there are (is) conversion kit(s) out there that allows the bonnet to tilt forward and clear the bumber but I don't wnat to invest in that. I'm keeping the bumber though so any future owner can install it if they want.
Roy


Edited by Gray_Cat (06/18/09 11:46 AM)

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#586047 - 06/18/09 12:06 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Gray_Cat]
toysrrus Offline
Bronze Member
Obi Wan

Registered: 12/05/06
Posts: 2050
Loc: Pickens, SC
Hi Folks,

On my `59 I Orig. had the Bumper & Over-riders. It appeared (To Me) as though they "Protruded" too much forward from the bonnet & just did`nt look right or I guess I`ll say; "Just not a clean look".

So; Off they came & I believe it makes the lines look cleaner & racier. "Racier"??

Regards, Russ
_________________________
member BCF; VTR; bcclv; DVT; JCNA; DVJC; FBCC:
"SPACE... GRACE... PACE":

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#586049 - 06/18/09 12:13 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: toysrrus]
jlaird Offline

Bronze Member
Great Pumpkin

Registered: 11/13/05
Posts: 18905
Loc: Niceville FL
All BEs came to the US with front bumpers. For others it was an option.
_________________________
Jack Laird
Retired USAF


AN5L 24515, Eng. 9C-U-H 16218, Apr. 1959
"Miss Agatha" On the road again and smiling.

We were there, Lake of the Ozarks, 2008!!
We gona be at Euro Fest 2011, see you there.


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#586065 - 06/18/09 01:24 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: jlaird]
Trevor Jessie Offline

Gold Member
Yoda

Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 5698
Loc: Louisville KY
Roy, there is a DIY front tilt bracket set that allows the front bumper to remain. The plans are old and proven.
_________________________
1970/2 MG Midget
Future Engine Swap Project
_________________
1958/9 Sprite AN5L/1499
1275 SuperCharged
Datsun 5-speed
_________________
Great car show: http://www.britishbash.com

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#586066 - 06/18/09 01:28 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Trevor Jessie]
Gray_Cat Offline

Silver Member
Jedi Warrior

Registered: 07/08/05
Posts: 434
Loc: Los Angeles California
Trevor
Do tell? So maybe it's a bit easier and not as costly as I thought. Do you know where I can locate a copy of the plans?
Thanks!
Roy

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#586068 - 06/18/09 01:32 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Gray_Cat]
Trevor Jessie Offline

Gold Member
Yoda

Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 5698
Loc: Louisville KY
_________________________
1970/2 MG Midget
Future Engine Swap Project
_________________
1958/9 Sprite AN5L/1499
1275 SuperCharged
Datsun 5-speed
_________________
Great car show: http://www.britishbash.com

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#586071 - 06/18/09 01:40 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Trevor Jessie]
Gray_Cat Offline

Silver Member
Jedi Warrior

Registered: 07/08/05
Posts: 434
Loc: Los Angeles California
Thanks Trevor! That really is a simple conversion so my little BE can sport a front bumber after all.
Roy cheers

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#586117 - 06/18/09 04:07 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: Gray_Cat]
bugimike Offline

Silver Member
Yoda

Registered: 11/15/03
Posts: 8249
Loc: S.E. Fla.
My front bumper was sacrificed in a contest between the car and a brick wall (A long story!)...I have since been bumperless, but certainly can attest to the functionality of the BE bumper...it WORKS!
_________________________
Mike

59 Bugeye "OBI"
69 Sprite

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#586125 - 06/18/09 04:17 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: 198686d]
livinginthepast Offline
Jedi Hopeful

Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 189
Loc: Covington, wa
I prefer the look of the bumperless bugeye, but I am planning to keep the bumper on my car for the reason you cite - it was an option (well, for some apparently - but still) and it's an original part, so I hate to remove it.

It's all just personal taste in the end.


Edited by livinginthepast (06/18/09 04:21 PM)
_________________________
Bill West
1960 Austin Healey Sprite - the Cheshire Frog
"A Bugeye is more like a pet than a car..."

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#586141 - 06/18/09 04:56 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: livinginthepast]
JPSmit Offline
Yoda

Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 4879
Loc: Long Branch, Ontario
I must interject and say that for safety reasons you should have the bumper. It will protect you and your car just long enough to well and truly soil yourself before you hit that tree/ car/ truck/ rock devil
_________________________
John-Peter Smit

Ms. Triss
1976 Midget 1500
Little Car, Big World

Luigi
1958 Fiat Mutipla 600
Can you say basket case?

2004 Mazda6 Sport Wagon
Zoom Zoom

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#586162 - 06/18/09 05:45 PM Re: 60 BE front bumper or no front bumper... [Re: JPSmit]
Jim_Gruber Online   content
Luke Skywalker

Registered: 12/31/06
Posts: 1622
Loc: Dayton, OH
No Bumper! It looks SOOOOOOOOOO much better without it.
_________________________
Jim Gruber
Dayton, OH

'68 Sprite - Bugsy
Bugeye Wannabe

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