Another Stainless Bumper Thread

[cougarchee]

Thank you sir. That is what I have been looking for. Haven't found the pricing guide yet. Almost afraid to ask how much the bumper conversion kit cost. Its what I want in a bad way though. Any ideas what that kit cost, and does anyone know about the quality from spider-point?

[Bill77]

Spider-Point's prices can be downloaded from their website, which you will need to convert from Euros. The exchange rate has been getting a little bit better.

I am pleased with the quality of the parts.

[desert spider]

Below, you will find the e-mail I sent to Spider-Point and their reply. My question was in both English and German. Their reply follows in English. Too bad.
Desert Spider

EMail =
> Meine_Anfrage = Will the bumper conversion kit fit the 1984 U.S. version
Spider? If not a direct fit, can it be made to fit with a minimum of
modification?
>
> [Paßt der Stoßumwandlung Installationssatz die die 1984 VEREINIGTE STAATEN
Version Spinne? Wenn nicht ein direkter Sitz, er gebildet werden kann, um
mit einem Minimum Änderung zu passen?]
***********************************************
Spider-point's reply:

info

no - this will not really work w/o major modifications!!!
we are converting a 85spider at this moment into a 79spider - needs quite
some work such as new front upper sheet metal nose / new rear back panel (tomake the taillights fit) and some other "minor" work.....
not so easy to do....

best regards

Spider-point

[Finlandese]

cougarchee,

I removed the turn signals from the original (US spec) bumper and mounted them on the fittings that I bought from a regular hardware store. The mesh grille (made out of metal) came from a speed shop, and is the type ricers use when they customize their cars. All the tools that I used were a wrench set, a drill, pliers, scissors, and can of black paint. I think it looks pretty good for a cost Alfa grille, a can of paint and some mesh grill. If you were to commit to this look, I´d recommend cutting the bumper mounts off. I think that might affect the resale value, so I probably just try to cover the with sone period fog lights.

p.s If you can find a Fiat 124 rear bumper from the States, it is a perfect fit for the rear (requires a bit of bracketry, of course).

[cougarchee]

thanks Jani!! I was wondering about that. It looks really good. Would you be able to post some close up, more detailed pics of the front of your car? I am debating on going your route, or more than likely using Duetto bumpers. And Thanks alot for the tip on the Fiat rear Bumper. I know a salvage yard in town that has several 124 fiats. Only one Alfa!! and its stripped, and mangled!! But alot of Fiats! thanks again for the info. Mike

[Finlandese]

Correction to my previous post: I should have defined Fiat 124 sedan rear bumper ( forgot that you have so many spiders in the States..). I was planning to go with an alfa bumper,but the deal was just too good for me, so I tried another solution..Unfortunenately my car is hibernating about 300 miles away from where I live, so I am not able to provide better pictures until the spring arrives...

[cougarchee]

Ah haa... A sedan 124 might be alittle harder to find.. State side anyway. No problem. I found a possible source for the parts I am looking for. I still want to see pics when you can get them of your car. Thanks again. Mike.

[AlfaGreg]

I removed the front stainless bumpers from a friends '74 the other day and they came off with only the removal of 4 bolts. This set has a continuous formed channel across the face of the car to which the bumpers attach. I may note that this car has rubber overriders which in turn thru-bolt to this channel, making a very slick setup. This assy bolts to the car frame at 2 points directly in line with the overriders with the aforementioned 4 bolts.

I have seen reference to the aftermarket brackets available from a BB member, but am trying to establish the originality of this setup.

I currently own a '76 rubber bumper spider and am not familiar with what was stock on the earlier models. It seems like a very nice system and "relatively" robust, given the componentry....an interesting avenue for us rubber bumper guys. I'll be comparing the 2 chassis later. If I can get pics, they will follow.
It will be interesting to see if these channel frames are available!

AlfaGreg, it won't work, the box section that the bumper shock absorbers mount into extends beyond the bracket for the earlier cars, compare the 2 photos, and the relationship of the plate on the fabricated bracket to the turn signal housing and you can see what the problem is. I had a NOS bracket and tried to fit, sold the bracket on EBay as it wouldn't work.

[conedriver]

Hi Greg,

What Randy (alfa of-corse) is trying to say is that the full width bracket from a 1974 car will not fit on your 1976. I mounted stainless bumpers on my '76, and used the brackets supplied by Randy. These allow the 1974 bumper halves to mount to his transition bracket, which in turn mounts to the four threaded holes on the body that held the shock absorbers for the big black bumpers. Look at the upper picture in his post, the large square plate near the center of the bracket has the four holes I'm talking about.

And...here's another picture of the transition bracket...

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaGreg I removed the front stainless bumpers from a friends '74 the other day and they came off with only the removal of 4 bolts. This set has a continuous formed channel across the face of the car to which the bumpers attach. I may note that this car has rubber overriders which in turn thru-bolt to this channel, making a very slick setup. This assy bolts to the car frame at 2 points directly in line with the overriders with the aforementioned 4 bolts. I have seen reference to the aftermarket brackets available from a BB member, but am trying to establish the originality of this setup. I currently own a '76 rubber bumper spider and am not familiar with what was stock on the earlier models. It seems like a very nice system and "relatively" robust, given the componentry....an interesting avenue for us rubber bumper guys. I'll be comparing the 2 chassis later. If I can get pics, they will follow. It will be interesting to see if these channel frames are available!

[cougarchee]

George, Is this bracket purchasable, or home fabricated? I can build it from the pics, but I'm lazy enough to just buy it if available. Price dependant of course. Mike

[AlfaGreg]

Randy, George...

From what you are telling me then is that the full width channel section I removed the other day was stock then. I have read about your brackets Randy..very clever and an elegant solution.

I would then assume that attempting to engineer some strength back into the retrofit is going to require extensive mods to my '76. This is a bit of a shame because I know the upgrade is purely cosmetic and has little or no 'bumper value" but I was impressed with the ridigity of that bumper/channel assembly I removed yesterday, esp the alignment with the bump stops on the car frame with the overriders.

I will be removing my front bumper in a short while and then can appreciate your comments much better. I keep thinking the mental horsepower on this BB could come up with some fabricated reproductions....kind of continuing on where Randy has left off. It is a hot item for many later cars, but the aftermarket prices are just crazy for what you are getting.

I am sure I am not alone in thinking this......

[conedriver]

cougarchee,

I bought front and rear stainless bumper mounting brackets as part of a package deal from BB member alfa of-corse, so don't have a price for individual brackets. He has posted in this thread, so may contact you and/or provide bracket prices. I think his business focus may have changed to other Alfa-related areas, but have read of others who have purchased the brackets relatively recently. The brackets worked very well for me and located the front bumpers close in to the body. I had to file some mounting holes to make a good fit but, we all know that no two Alfas are the same, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougarchee George, Is this bracket purchasable, or home fabricated? I can build it from the pics, but I'm lazy enough to just buy it if available. Price dependant of course. Mike

brackets and plans, for front , rear (2 types) and grill mounts, will be available thru my website which should be up the first of the year and will be listed in the suppliers list, George's were the first set made and the brackets are different now. but still solid, unforunately can not make a single pc bracket, similar to the factory pc, that would support both halves and the grill, as George mentioned, no 2 Spiders are alike, and the 2 pc set allows more adjustment to compensate for damage or twisting that has occured during the last 25-30 years. current projects are patch panels with punched holes for Spiders and GTV's to weld in place to change to Euro lights. And brackets for mounting Duetto bumpers to rubber bumpered Spiders. And in time custom made Stainless bumpers for the rear of Spiders, something thin that does not extend around the sides.

[cougarchee]

Alfa of-course, Keep me posted on the rear bumper. I am scraping together the parts for the front bumper converson, but didn't see the need for the bracket/adapters coming. I will need some of your brackets. Not in a rush for them really, as I have yet to make the car run! (little ahead of myself, I know) I would be interested in your light patch panel kit also, if its what I have pictured. I was considering making,designing some kind of rear bumper and a front "nerf" bar set up for the front, but just really like the look of the duetto/ 74 style grill/ half bumper. Let me know when your site is up and running. Mike