Reply to "Cold and Confused"

David,

I know you are looking at all options right now. It is a good time given that you already have an Amerisport repro front bumper in your hip pocket. Good time to make sure on the way forward.

I would like to give you my opinion. Let me start off by saying that the appearance of a car (ie. "looks"), like women, art and wine, is very a subjective thing. Everyone has their taste and they all are good.

Here is what I feel.

1) The Amerisport small 2 piece front bumpers are great when put on a dark coloured car - preferably black. They look super on Mark's car. Just wouldn't work on my orange or your white car IMHO.

2) No bumpers. For my taste it makes the front end look incomplete albeit aggressive in nature. It creates a question of symmetry and balance with the rear. Which leads me to ...

3) Small euro bumpers do not provide enough symmetry and balance with the full 1-piece rear bumper. Although they do look better with the 2 piece small euro rear bumper.

It is just that, in my opinion, the full 1-piece rear bumper takes one's eye from the otherwise dominant rear A/C grill. The full 1-piece makes the rear end design elements more "equivalent" in impact.

4) The full late bumper, to my taste is the best in appearance. (Although the original rubber is TOO heavy and should be replaced with a fibreglass one.) Here's why I feel so:

i) It balances well with the full 1-piece rear bumper.
ii) In side profile the Pantera evokes the appearance of the chord of a high lift aerodynamic wing - with the tail of the wing forward and leading edge rearward. The full span bumper continues that design cue on the front end.
iii) It inspires the appearance of a race car front wing in design. Being an F1 nut - I like the cue.
iv) Finally, I like the front end protection. Twice I had my front end bumped - No damage thanks to the fibreglass full bumper.

So that is my 2 cents worth. Stick with the original external appearance.

Your buddy,

B.G.