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Wedge Bye-bye black [TR8] bumpers......

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Bob, I intend to. I have done many things because of what I saw here and on other forums and I backed off on a few ideas from what I learned as well.

With that being said, I stopped at the shop this morning and the rear cover is ready for paint and the front is in the final wet sanding stages. One more coat of prime, a dry sand and color goes on this afternoon.
 

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Hi Paul,

Please continue to post your progress on this and any other project. I'm sure you were not serious about stopping, but just in case.

While everyone may not agree on the changes you make, I don't think anyone can argue that they are not well executed!

-Darrell
 
I was kidding about stopping Darrell and there will be more to come with another project as the months go on. Once I have a plan, I usually follow it through, unless I find a really compelling reason to alter course or stop. As you can see, I am pretty much committed to this project.

And I take no offense to those who may not care for what I've done. There are more that do and even if there weren't, it just shows another option that is available to owners of these cars.

Heck, I still get guys at shows that ask me why I ever took off the big rubber bumper over riders off of the TR6 and others who say how good it looks to be like the earlier cars.

However, no one complains about the Miata seats once they sit in them or see them up close.

To each their own.....
 
Hi Paul,

Are you changing the rocker panels to be body color, or will they stay black?
 
Darrell,

The rear rocker is covered to about 95% with the new panel as it overlaps the sides, leaving only an exposed area on the very bottom. You almost have to crawl under the car to see it. That will be painted to match the body/bumper. The rockers under the doors will remain black for now.

The panels are now under the first coat of paint and that will continue through tomorrow. The guys from the shop just dropped off the front bumper and rear skin along with a bunch of attaching parts, which we dragged down into the basement.

That front bumper is one heavy unit.....
 
Brosky said:
That front bumper is one heavy unit.....
Click to expand...

And given that it hangs way out there on the front end, there might actually be some measurable handling benefit in changing!
 
So I have been told.....we shall see on Friday.........
 
A couple of quick shots from the shop tonight. It will need cleaned up before I take the good shots. I'm picking it up on Friday morning.
 

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Thank you. The paint is a much better match than is shown in the two pictures of the rear. Just a bad angle with the sun.
 
Darrell_Walker said:
Brosky said:
That front bumper is one heavy unit.....
Click to expand...

And given that it hangs way out there on the front end, there might actually be some measurable handling benefit in changing!
Click to expand...
Wasn't there some sort of "harmonic balance[r]" designed into the TR7 and TR8 convertible front bumpers?
 
Lots of cool air for an intercooler. Looks missing. Maybe turbos are in your future?
 
I guess that we'll find out, but I have talked to two guys who have coupe bumpers on their converts and they have no issues with the lighter front end. That was my first thought and to paint the original bumpers to match the car. Then I decided that I liked this better and I'm glad that I did.
 
With the better bushings and stuff. the front ends seem to have lost they're shimmy and shake
 
Black bumpers were so 70's. When was it most manufacturers went to body colour? I know we had an 86 Capri body coloured bumpers. Our 78 Fairmont had chrome with big rugged rubber baby buggy bumpers on it.
 
Peter, no turbos for me. This has enough power as it is.

Next step is more comfort and head restraint safety for cruising and I'll be going seat hunting soon.
 
Tom, that's on the agenda....after I get better pictures
 
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