[davestebs]

Greetings all,
I have an opportunity to get a '74 Berlina. It had black bumpers, but they have been removed. I was told by my insurance guy that his underwriter may not insure it because of the missing bumpers - they are required in Wisconsin. Does anyone have one or both bumpers that would be for sale? Stainless ones would be nice, but I'd consider black ones.

This was my first decent drive in a Berlina. They sure are nice!

 

[Richard2]

I believe the '74s came with the black bumpers with shock absorbers if that makes any difference to your insurance co.

 

[damoj]

Putting the chrome bumpers on a 74 is gonna be a bit tricky. I suppose you could make a bracket that bolts to the back of the Berlina where the shocks would mount, but it might be difficult to get your insurance to sign off on it.

 

[Andrew]

Lots of folks have done the conversion. Some quick and dirty, some with a nicely engineered bracket (Glenn Oliveria for one). I can think of three local cars offhand. I can get some pics in the next week or so.

Andrew

 

[damoj]

I guess I don't know where to buy the bracket.

 

[Andrew]

You have to make the bracket. But a decent Alfa mechanic with welding skills can do it. Or a fabricator.

Andrew

 

[archeologist]

Andrew, do you have any photos? I'm trying to figure out what it would cost to make a set. I can probably design them but will likely farm out the welding as I'm way rusty. God forbid put my engineering degree to work.

 

[Andrew]

A friend's car was done by Glenn Oliveria. I can take some pics, yes. There are a couple ways to go, including whether to keep the bumper shocks or not, and Glenn's job is pretty clean.

Andrew

 

[archeologist]

If you see him soon, that would be wonderful. Thanks!

Ian

 

[Roulof]

Hi Guys,

I have recently stripped a pair of berlina bumpers, a bit of surface rust, not too much though. But the problem is, I am in South Africa, I guess shipping would cost an arm and a leg. Any case, give me shout if you are interested.

Roulof

 

[archeologist]

Good to know. I know of one set in California, but if they fall through I'll keep you in mind.

Thanks!

 

[Andrew]

The car is outside and I'll get pics soon, I hope this weekend.
Andrew

 

[Super1600]

Ditto, I too could get you a set of front and rear stainless steel bumpers if required. But again the cost of sending them to the US from Tassie might be pretty expensive. Sing out if you do need them. Dave

 

[Andrew]

Got pics and I'll post later today.
Andrew

 

[archeologist]

You 'da man Andrew!

 

[Andrew]

First three here are the front, and I appreciate it's not that easy to comprehend.

Basically, Glenn removed the struts, made flat steel plates to bolt to the strut mounts on the body using as many of the 6mm bolt holes as possible, and drilled a hole for the stainless bumper big through-bolt (10mm?) to bolt through the flat plate. He used the stainless bumpers' stock plastic mounts. Same idea front and rear.

I think a bit of body trimming was required due to the different "mounting centers" of the stainless vs. rubber bumpers, and he left off the black rubber covers. It's a nicely done job that you have to peer at to really see. Front bumper sits slightly higher than it would on a 72/73, but not much.

Andrew

 

[Andrew]

Make that first four are front. These two are rear.
Andrew

 

[Andrew]

One more I found, which must be the rear, from above. I could be all screwed up above on which are front and which are rear. Argh. From the number of this pic, first pics above must be rear, later ones front. I think.
Andrew

 

[GregTV]

Thanks for the pics Andrew.

I'm getting ready to do something similar to my Berlina, however, because there's not much strength to these bumpers, I'm going to add a little extra support behind. I think it will work on both front and rear. Something like this...

 

[archeologist]

Great idea. I think I'm still going to just use small brackets at the end, I don't that having extra structure back there would help much. Maybe it would protect the car a bit more in a collision, but it might also make it worse.