Rubber to Chrome Bumper Conversion
Discussion
Looking for advice on the best source of the parts required to carry out the conversion. I have looked at several
cars which have had the conversion carried out and quite frankly the quality of some was very poor.
Cost is not an issue I want the best available. So seeking the advice of others more knowledgable than myself.
cars which have had the conversion carried out and quite frankly the quality of some was very poor.
Cost is not an issue I want the best available. So seeking the advice of others more knowledgable than myself.
to get a good quality job if you have to pay others to do the work could cost more than you expect
it would be more cost effective to buy a chrome bumpered car if that's what you want or stick with the rubber bumpers for their advantages, otherwise buy a car that has already been converted well or you could do a PH Search or internet search as this subject has been covered a few times before
and/or wait for the answers here
it would be more cost effective to buy a chrome bumpered car if that's what you want or stick with the rubber bumpers for their advantages, otherwise buy a car that has already been converted well or you could do a PH Search or internet search as this subject has been covered a few times before
and/or wait for the answers here
Edited by nta16 on Monday 8th July 13:59
I already have the car which was completely rebuilt from an American import by the previous owner 7 years ago. He spared no expense and the quality of his work is outstanding. Part of the refurb was replacing the suspension with Spax's and lowering it to chrome bumber height. I want to complete the job and hand it over to my son. Cost is not an issue. I have a garage in Scotland which I trust to carry out the work. I just want the best quality parts available and am relying on others superior knowlege and experience with suppliers of the parts available.
in that case do you want to adopt me and my Midget?
all you need to know is a very good body shop that works to high standards and leave it to them, there's no secret to doing the work and getting the best results - fitting newly made parts my be a lot more expensive in labour to get them to fit well and you'd probably have to buy s/h chrome parts and get them refurbed as modern made bumpers and chrome fittings so I've heard are more rubbish now than they were when I was looking 15+ years ago, not just the chrome the shapes and places of holes are wrong
Spax may not be the best rear damper set up but beware you can 'improve' a B so much that it's not as overall nice and good as when nearer original
best improvements will be made to the car by frequent driving and fully and proper servicing, maintenance and repairs along with a good rolling road set up after 12 months reliable driving throughout the year (even in Scotland's weather you can get out some winter days)
best improvement you can make to the car after changing the brake fluid if it hasn't been done in the last few years is to change the tyres if they're 7 years old and not yet worn down through use, cosmetics are all well and good but if you can't stop the car well you could end up with remodeling work anyway
I am parentless and so is my Midget, photos of both of us can be provided
all you need to know is a very good body shop that works to high standards and leave it to them, there's no secret to doing the work and getting the best results - fitting newly made parts my be a lot more expensive in labour to get them to fit well and you'd probably have to buy s/h chrome parts and get them refurbed as modern made bumpers and chrome fittings so I've heard are more rubbish now than they were when I was looking 15+ years ago, not just the chrome the shapes and places of holes are wrong
Spax may not be the best rear damper set up but beware you can 'improve' a B so much that it's not as overall nice and good as when nearer original
best improvements will be made to the car by frequent driving and fully and proper servicing, maintenance and repairs along with a good rolling road set up after 12 months reliable driving throughout the year (even in Scotland's weather you can get out some winter days)
best improvement you can make to the car after changing the brake fluid if it hasn't been done in the last few years is to change the tyres if they're 7 years old and not yet worn down through use, cosmetics are all well and good but if you can't stop the car well you could end up with remodeling work anyway
I am parentless and so is my Midget, photos of both of us can be provided
Good try, but I'm only half Irish!. The car is in truly immaculate condition and is maintained by what is considered by many to be one of the best mechanics in the NE of Scotland. I use another garage in Edinburgh for body work who is more than capable of doing the work. As you say it's pretty basic stuff. It's just that like you all the parts I've seen so far on other cars that have been converted over the last few years are not what I consider to be good enough. I may well yet have to source second hand bits and have them refurbished. Unless someone knows otherwise ?.
if it's well done and well maintained it just needs regular driving to get it near to as well running as perhaps a scruffy car that's mechanically good and driven regularly
a lot of owners do the conversion work for themselves with various ideas of what to do and the finished cosmetic and work quality at the finish
some of the better looking work I've seen in photos - I've already lost too much of my life looking at static classics in various grass areas and I'm to old now to view anything that isn't actually being driven and hopefully in the manner it was designed for - has been on trimmed 'rumber bumpers' losing the metal weight and lowering the car but keeping the shape without the need for any electrical and body work, IMO they look better than many stereotype Tarty red, chrome wire wheel, chrome bumper conversions
Tony might turn up here with his to give you an idea
I've seen recent posts about Steelcraft and the more expensive BHM outer sills for a Midget and the poster has put 'The BMH one, despite the extra cost just seems plain crap!'
what is certain is that anything newly made that is or has rubber is like to be utter rubbish as are the many chrome trims and electrical bullet connectors
a lot of owners do the conversion work for themselves with various ideas of what to do and the finished cosmetic and work quality at the finish
some of the better looking work I've seen in photos - I've already lost too much of my life looking at static classics in various grass areas and I'm to old now to view anything that isn't actually being driven and hopefully in the manner it was designed for - has been on trimmed 'rumber bumpers' losing the metal weight and lowering the car but keeping the shape without the need for any electrical and body work, IMO they look better than many stereotype Tarty red, chrome wire wheel, chrome bumper conversions
Tony might turn up here with his to give you an idea
I've seen recent posts about Steelcraft and the more expensive BHM outer sills for a Midget and the poster has put 'The BMH one, despite the extra cost just seems plain crap!'
what is certain is that anything newly made that is or has rubber is like to be utter rubbish as are the many chrome trims and electrical bullet connectors
OP, when I did my old B, I bought the kit from the Beehive in Cambridge and it was all quality chrome stuff. Got my local friendly MG specialist in Plymouth to do the cutting and painting. My car was already running on lowered and stiffened front end and a pair of parabolics and konis at the back, so it didn't look as stilt like as some of the rb conversions I've seen.
Recently sold my '80 GT with a really well done conversion, it had all the paperwork from new, I'm pretty sure the receipt for the kit was an MGOC one, it was done when I bought it, chrome was good, needed to be kept clean but the quality of the job adds a lot to the look as obviously there is modification needed to the body. I think BHive use the same kit.
I used the car as my main driver so it was a bit more practical for this than earlier cars, but with a nice look, bright blue and shiny chrome, got comments and looks all the time.
Rubber bumper cars are picking up now and accepted more but there's no reason why you couldn't, there's plenty of converted cars, I saw a mag that had a V8 MG feature and the B they used was a factory V8 RB car converted to chrome, with a 'rare' car like that personally I'd rather it was standard but each to their own.
Purists will know but it seems not many are too fussed any more. Just don't do what someone I know has done and use a late shell to re-body an early car..
I used the car as my main driver so it was a bit more practical for this than earlier cars, but with a nice look, bright blue and shiny chrome, got comments and looks all the time.
Rubber bumper cars are picking up now and accepted more but there's no reason why you couldn't, there's plenty of converted cars, I saw a mag that had a V8 MG feature and the B they used was a factory V8 RB car converted to chrome, with a 'rare' car like that personally I'd rather it was standard but each to their own.
Purists will know but it seems not many are too fussed any more. Just don't do what someone I know has done and use a late shell to re-body an early car..
Unfortunately many of the chrome bumpers available these days are not of the best quality, wavy chroming, poor fit, etc. etc., the last kit I had from the MGBhive definitely fell into that category.
The gold standard is an original bumper re-chromed to BS standards, not cheap but it will be streets ahead of anything else you can buy - and last !
The gold standard is an original bumper re-chromed to BS standards, not cheap but it will be streets ahead of anything else you can buy - and last !
Well after the event but maybe you are still checking back here. I bought a Chrome Bumper replacement kit, privately from a chap who bought from MGOC but found the bodywork modifications and the spraying required was more than he had planned to do. I found the quality very good, but would recommend recoating the back surfaces to protect from water/salt etc. I managed to get the bumpers with brackets kit, chrome valance infills,
chrome-grille and the plinths and indicator frames and the indicator units for £300, obviously considerably cheaper than new.
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The MG's previous owner had lowered and uprated the suspension to avoid the highrise ride height, that results from removing the very heavy rubber bumpers, and I even managed to get £25 for those !!
All completed by myself over the summer of 2011.
chrome-grille and the plinths and indicator frames and the indicator units for £300, obviously considerably cheaper than new.
.
.
.
The MG's previous owner had lowered and uprated the suspension to avoid the highrise ride height, that results from removing the very heavy rubber bumpers, and I even managed to get £25 for those !!
All completed by myself over the summer of 2011.
It really is worth it, took me almost 4 years from purchase to where I felt it was done, which includes electronic ignition, and replacement of front wings and bonnet, then resprayed. Managed to keep the MG road worthy throughout apart from about 5 weeks as I actually sprayed it, one panel at a time.
With all the spares that I bought with the car, I managed to sell the bits I didn't need in order to buy the bits I neede, so cost me only my time to do.
Rubber bumpers I feel were hideous, and so heavy.
Then foolishly let some chap buy it, before I had really enjoyed just driving it. The cash was just too tempting, I really miss the MG........
With all the spares that I bought with the car, I managed to sell the bits I didn't need in order to buy the bits I neede, so cost me only my time to do.
Rubber bumpers I feel were hideous, and so heavy.
Then foolishly let some chap buy it, before I had really enjoyed just driving it. The cash was just too tempting, I really miss the MG........
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