My car is extremely clean and nearly 100% stock. I'm wondering if modifying the bumpers to the bumperettes is going to effect its value? TIA
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As somebody who took off the rear bumper and in the process of doing something to the front L bumper on my 74, I've done a lot of digging, and can tell you a lot of people have done it. I've seen a few later cars that had the bumperettes put on go for more money than similar condition cars with the big bumpers. Just look at this car -- https://bringatrailer.com/list...detomaso-pantera-22/
If everything else is VERY original or stock (or as close to stock as possible), then yes it could hurt the value for some buyers. If you don't see yourself selling the car anytime soon, and the big bumpers bother you every time you look at the car, then I'd say change them because it's your car and you should enjoy it. Just my $.02.
Agree with Riley. The change over is not straight forward if done properly. There are several posts covering what the conversion entails. See this article: http://www.panteraplace.com/page105.htm
@Riley posted:As somebody who took off the rear bumper and in the process of doing something to the front L bumper on my 74, I've done a lot of digging, and can tell you a lot of people have done it. I've seen a few later cars that had the bumperettes put on go for more money than similar condition cars with the big bumpers. Just look at this car -- https://bringatrailer.com/list...detomaso-pantera-22/
If everything else is VERY original or stock (or as close to stock as possible), then yes it could hurt the value for some buyers. If you don't see yourself selling the car anytime soon, and the big bumpers bother you every time you look at the car, then I'd say change them because it's your car and you should enjoy it. Just my $.02.
"Original" buyers are in the minority. One of the underlying issues is that there is no judging authority for Panteras and none are on the horizon.
The cars are still driveable and not museum pieces...yet.
Riley, After seeing your car on the Pantera History Tour I would say it looks very nice the way it sits. At the same time I don’t think it will hurt the car’s value or desirability down the road if you switched it to small bumpers or something similar in the front.
We do a ton of bumper conversions here in shop, mainly removing 'L' bumpers. More people prefer the chrome bumpers, always have. If resale is a concern, we've always had a larger (sales) audience overseas for chrome.
“More people prefer the chrome bumpers, always have.”
More, yes. But not all.
when I purchased 2511, a January 1972 chrome bumper car, it had L model bumpers front and rear AND the light pods used upfront for the turn signals on the L model cars.
finding this certainly out of the norm, chrome bumper car converted to an L model bumper car, I started asking fellow owners what they thought about the conversion and why it was done
The explanation I got makes sense as long as you are able to time travel back to the day. seems some owners, upon seeing the L. model, formed the opinion their early cars took on an “old” appearance. not wanting their cars to be viewed as the old Pantera, some did as the previous owner of 2511 and went to the extensive trouble to make the conversion.
I accept this answer as I believe 2511 is far too early to have been a transition car, which are known for exhibiting traits of both early and late cars
pantera land, where owners do amazing and sometimes bizarrely confusing modifications. 😁
Larry
So who does the best bumperettes ? in everyone's view.
I doesn't say most it says more.
You are absolutely correct, Sharkey. I, and my previous post, stand corrected.
But my misquote does not affect the content of my comment in the slightest
Larry
Does anyone do fiber glass ? I mean there's little point in having steel ones panted black when fiber glass will be identical, virtually weightless and a fraction of the cost... I can only seem to find steel
I think most places have the fiberglass... just for me, I would want the stainless steel ones.
I know what you are saying, the stainless ones look like they have quite sharp/square edges - is that right ?
I was thinking black up front for now on my car as it will be a quick cheap mod to get rid of the L front and it would look ok in black
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The cool thing about stainless is that you could wrap them in vinyl if you wanted them black instead.
Has anyone just fiber glassed the holes from behind? Seems that would be an easy reversal for someone if they wanted the L bumper back?
A pair of round 2" lights fit perfectly in the holes left by removal of the impact bumper shocks and make for a good DRL.
“as it will be a quick cheap mod”
you are aware that removing the rubber bumper will leave two very large holes and six smaller holes that will not be covered by the smaller chrome bumpers, aren’t you?
The removal is dirt cheap, if you have the skills welding the holes won’t cost too much and if you can match the paint and spray it yourself then maybe it will be a “quick cheap mod”. But if you need other tradesmen to perform some of the necessary tasks………$$$$$
Larry
I was referring to these black smaller bumperettes...
http://www.panteraplace.com/page105.htm
But if you don't want to do the bodywork to cover the holes, then yes, these Kirk Evans bumpers are your other option. I thought about these, but just didn't do it for me. If you look at my post from a week or so ago, you'll see what I'm trying to do with my car as a completely different solution.
Thanks all, yes those Kirk bumpers look a good compromise. Larry, yes I have plenty of reference photos, and yeah I've restored lots of cars so those holes are no big deal though I need to track down the paint used. I'm told it was an Aston Martin colour so should be possible to get a match.