Bumper Guards (bumperettes) on a '73

[TodK]

Hi, can someone tell me if the rubber bumper guards on a '73 can be swapped out with the chrome ones from earlier cars? Thanks.

[Sacto S]

I'm not sure. What year "early car" are you referring to?

I pulled those rubber things off a '69T with narrow decos and replaced them with the chrome bumperettes. It was 15 years ago but, I think it was a straight switch.

[gruen911]

Hi, can someone tell me if the rubber bumper guards on a '73 can be swapped out with the chrome ones from earlier cars? Thanks.

By all means. But all of the 73's (including the T) came with the steel spoiler. You are not thinking of keeping the bumperettes on that are you? I picked up my car yesterday which has the original rubber bumperettes mounted onto the spoiler, and those are the first things coming off the car...

[mike66]

Indeed, it's no problem at all. Just did it on my '73 too.

Cheers,
Mike

[TodK]

Thanks for the responses. I am looking at various model years, including a '73, and I just don't like the big rubber bumperettes. Now that I know I can switch them, I can include the '73s in my search .

[mike walker]

Here is my 73, still period correct, they used chrome in Europe. No bumperettes in front.
Attachment 24835

[JCR]

Easy swap, the bolt caps are even interchangeable. You will need the vinyl molding for the edges. got mine at Stoddard. I like the all chrome look (might as well since it's already non-original) these are NOS, also from Stoddard.

The front chromes may have a smaller footprint than the rubbers. I left mine off and put on a continuous trim strip.

[kilodawg]

Question came up today. Did early '73 cars (MFI) come with rubber bumperettes front and rear or was that only a '73.5 (CIS) option?

[Shawn]

US (United States) delivered P cars had the big ugly impact bumperetts...front and rear. They were not really 5 MPH impact correct. So the cars got really good looking bumpers in 1974.

Jared, your car looks very nice. Excellent work there. ; )

Shawn.

[gruen911]

I actually believe that the Euro 73 911 models came with rear steel bumperettes painted or anondized black, and no bumperettes in front.
I prefer chrome on the rears too, but I currently have black steel on my 73.5.
As for whether the 73.5 T was the only model that came with the rubber bumperettes instead of steel, the answer is no. All 73 models were required by US law to have the rbber bumperettes whuch claimed to be higher impact resistant than the earlier steel ones.
If you are looking for originality, the rubber 73 bumperettes are the only way to go for US cars.