Help on wide S bumper trim

[Jones]

Can anyone provide insight into fit, quality and correctness of currently available wide S bumper trim for 69-73 front and rear?

There seems to be a few options, but pictures and supplier descriptions of parts are difficult to base a purchase on.

I would appreciate any info on recent experiences with this bits... Thanks.

[rdelmendo]

Hi Jones- I can only share my experience putting the bumper trim on my ‘69E about 8 years ago. At the time, there was some discussion about correctness, which you can probably find by searching. I ended up getting front and rear EASY. Jim said they were made by the same place, Tasker?, that supplied Stoddard, SMC and the rest.

As far as fitment to your bumpers, this is a significant task that should be attempted by someone with body work experience. The curves from the supplier are close, but not anywhere near Porsche close, and the S trim is a b!t(# to bend. The guy who ‘fit’ (more artwork) the trim on my car has over 40 years in 356 body work and used his English wheel to bend the trim. He also cut the angle for the reflectors perfectly.

I would also recommend fitting the trim before you paint...

[tom1394racing]

I found the Stoddard rear repros to be a good fit. As good as OEM pieces I had in my stash.

[Jones]

I found the Stoddard rear repros to be a good fit. As good as OEM pieces I had in my stash.

Thanks Tom, those do look very good. Can you tell me if those are Stoddard part# SIC-505-046-51? Are the reflectors also from Stoddard?

[merbesfield]

I found the Stoddard rear repros to be a good fit. As good as OEM pieces I had in my stash.

Tom, did these pieces come with the aluminum base or did you buy rubber insert only?

[tom1394racing]

Tom, did these pieces come with the aluminum base or did you buy rubber insert only?

My pieces came from Stoddard compete with the Al base, the rubber insert and the backing seal.

[CA lover]

the backing seal that comes from all the suppliers is a little bit wider than the original one . You can buy this rubber from porsche .it is also easier to install because it is softer.And it is not expensive

[Jones]

Update on my initial request for help... I ended up ordering reproduction front and rear decos from AASE. The rear pieces are very close to perfect I would say; the front however is bad. I was honestly surprised that anyone would think it could be acceptable enough to ship it off to a customer. (see images below) I contacted AASE, they were great to deal with and we came to a mutually acceptable resolution.
I did find out that their supplier of the rear pieces is Stoddard, and regardless of price I don't think OEM Porsche pieces could be any better. The front piece is from Tasker, and well they need to up their game. The aluminum piece might be ok (except for small dents and scratches in the anodizing), but the rubber insert is junk.

Another comment for Porsche restoration parts suppliers... Provide descriptions of your parts, not just what it is, but how good it is. Not everyone is looking for perfection and some are happy to take reduced quality for reduced price, others want only perfection and will pay the price for it. At least spell it out for the customers; shipping is too costly for surprise packages!

[CA lover]

I also installed the new Stoddard rear trim. Fit was perfect without further bending.

[Jones]

Hi Jones- I can only share my experience putting the bumper trim on my ‘69E about 8 years ago. At the time, there was some discussion about correctness, which you can probably find by searching. I ended up getting front and rear EASY. Jim said they were made by the same place, Tasker?, that supplied Stoddard, SMC and the rest.

As far as fitment to your bumpers, this is a significant task that should be attempted by someone with body work experience. The curves from the supplier are close, but not anywhere near Porsche close, and the S trim is a b!t(# to bend. The guy who ‘fit’ (more artwork) the trim on my car has over 40 years in 356 body work and used his English wheel to bend the trim. He also cut the angle for the reflectors perfectly.

I would also recommend fitting the trim before you paint...

Thanks Ron... My car is very close to paint and I am planning to have the trims fitted first. I'm hoping someone will provide some input on current reproduction front trim... serious price difference between reproduction and Porsche Classic, and the repro rears look pretty decent.