53 Super bumper repair

[L Hop]

Hopefully, one of you body repair gurus can help me.

I have a 53 Super, good condition, your basic "10-footer". That's all I want it to be. I have 3 other classics and they are all the same - basic originals. I don't have the time (or money) to restore any of them perfectly, and like them pretty much just the way they are.

With that background, the only real problem with my 53 is that the front bumper is askew. On the passenger side, it has been knocked in, and on the driver side, the bottom section is bent out slightly so that the top of the bumper does not go over the protrusion of the body that is supposed to accept it. The two bolting brackets on the driver side are bent slightly.

All I want someone to do (I can't really do this myself and don't have the equipment) is take off the bumper, put a hydraulic jack or similar power tool on the driver side bottom, put the SLIGHTEST torqueing pressure on it. Then put it back on, top sides first over the body protrusions, bend (hydraulic) or weld on 1 or 2 new brackets to accept the bolts if necessary, bolt it down, and I'm done.

Many, many body shops say I'm crazy, that I have to send it to a bumper shop, have it pounded on with screwdrivers (I've been shown examples), and rechrome it, to the tune of thousands. I don't want new chrome - what I have is fine and matches all the other chrome.

So am I crazy? What's the big deal? I can post photos if that will help.

Many thanks,

L Hop

[19RivyRob68]

Hopefully, one of you body repair gurus can help me.

I have a 53 Super, good condition, your basic "10-footer". That's all I want it to be. I have 3 other classics and they are all the same - basic originals. I don't have the time (or money) to restore any of them perfectly, and like them pretty much just the way they are.

With that background, the only real problem with my 53 is that the front bumper is askew. On the passenger side, it has been knocked in, and on the driver side, the bottom section is bent out slightly so that the top of the bumper does not go over the protrusion of the body that is supposed to accept it. The two bolting brackets on the driver side are bent slightly.

All I want someone to do (I can't really do this myself and don't have the equipment) is take off the bumper, put a hydraulic jack or similar power tool on the driver side bottom, put the SLIGHTEST torqueing pressure on it. Then put it back on, top sides first over the body protrusions, bend (hydraulic) or weld on 1 or 2 new brackets to accept the bolts if necessary, bolt it down, and I'm done.

Many, many body shops say I'm crazy, that I have to send it to a bumper shop, have it pounded on with screwdrivers (I've been shown examples), and rechrome it, to the tune of thousands. I don't want new chrome - what I have is fine and matches all the other chrome.

So am I crazy? What's the big deal? I can post photos if that will help.

Many thanks,

L Hop

HI,

In my opinion, the best cheeepy way is take it to a body shop that has a frame straightener, even if they charge you a couple of hours, its better because the brackets will be pulled with the bumper----do not drill holes in it!

just my thoughts
rob