Author Topic: Reproduction 69 Endura bumpers available? (Read 17873 times)

69Z28-RS · « **on:** May 25, 2017, 08:15:26 PM »

Just got an email from Heartbeat City Camaro announcing and praising their 'new' repro endura bumper for 1969 Camaros. James says of this new part... "We just received the new 1969 Camaro Endura Bumpers which are one of the nicest reproductions or any part we have ever seen. They are exact reproductions in every regard of thse original GM bumper. "

It seems to be packaged well with all necessary parts including bumper brackets and jack jaw even!
http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/27435/1969-Camaro-Endura-Front-Bumper-Kit-Includes%3A-Urethane-Bumper-Brackets-Hardware-%26-Jack-Jaw/

Priced at $699, doesn't seem too bad... but it doesn't qualify for their discounts.. but gets their shipping charge, plus 1.25% for shipping insurance, and an extra $25 for 'oversize'...

If anyone has purchased, or purchases, one of these it would be interesting to all us '69 owners as to the total cost shipped, and the quality of the part (and how close to original it really is).. if the part is as good as he claims, then it might be a good deal in spite of the cost based on the number of issues with the original parts out there....?

What do you fellas think?

X33RS · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2017, 09:26:21 PM »

I'm buying one to stash away for later.

x66 714 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2017, 11:52:58 PM »

Looks like a complete package with all the pieces including the jack foot. Not a bad price. Hope to hear some feedback....Joe

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2017, 11:03:05 PM »

Thats an expensive piece. Hopefully my current one, has a long life span.

I wonder how much James On the CRG charges to restore them? ( he does excellent work)

Charley · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2017, 04:46:24 AM »

Cheap compared to the price of a orig. If as nice as orig. it will kill the value of them.

ZLP955 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2017, 06:52:29 AM »

Quote from: Charley on May 27, 2017, 04:46:24 AM

Cheap compared to the price of a orig. If as nice as orig. it will kill the value of them.

Agreed Charley.
Curious thing, this latest version at $390 for just the bumper, is only $100 or so more than the previous OER reproduction. The re-tooling for this would have a significant upfront cost for such a low-volume RPO. And with no disrespect to HBC, their prices tend to be very high for so-called 'exact' parts, and I'd have expected their initial pricing for this (if as good as described) to be set accordingly higher than OER's. Especially given how $$ originals in any condition are.....
I'd like to see a comparison, if somebody here with an original gets one.

ZLP955 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2017, 12:15:23 AM »

Looks like the latest version is also an OER product:
http://www.classicindustries.com/product/camaro/parts/3938643.html

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2017, 01:48:36 AM »

It would be a FIRST if a repro is as good as an original factory part; but if it's just 'pretty good', with no major issues, it's still worth the price... (if it's OER, I'm not expecting a great part....?)..

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2017, 03:13:43 AM »

Gary is did your car have the endura bumper?

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2017, 03:35:32 AM »

No, it didn't.. and doesn't..

but I've always loved the 'look' esp on an RS car... If good reports come in on this part, it's going to be difficult to resist purchase of one...

lvfyrman · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2017, 06:59:43 PM »

I have an original endura and I would be leery of the mount kit. I bought one from HBC and it was far from100% correct. The key element for the mounts are the metal bushings that are sandwiched by the rubber donuts, they were not even close. If anyone else has an original you know what I am talking about.

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2017, 07:23:59 PM »

I am new to the Endura bumper group, do you have any pics of what you are referring to?
Also who ever re-installed it used different sized bolts, maybe you could post a pic of the under side and the bolts used.

thanks

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2017, 06:17:59 PM »

Here is what Stewart (lvfrman) sent me for his original equipment, vs. what HBC sells:
you can see the repro bushing hole is bigger than the allen head so you may need to weld a washer to it to make it work as Stewart had to do. If this is what HBC is selling as "exact in every regard" you may want to investigate further.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2017, 01:34:27 AM »

I don't think there's EVER been a reproduction part that was 'identical in every way' to the originals.... YMMV....

ZLP955 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2017, 03:19:27 AM »

A few reproduction parts are actually better in quality to the originals, emblems come immediately to mind. I'm staying with my originals, but the repros lack all the poor chrome, casting flash etc that is often seen on the GM parts.

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2017, 06:32:09 AM »

I think your exactly right Tim a few are better.
When you say a few, that means a total of 3 right?

ZLP955 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2017, 06:50:41 AM »

Quote from: BULLITT65 on June 02, 2017, 06:32:09 AM

When you say a few, that means a total of 3 right?

Maybe 4: grille, tailpan, and both fender emblems

Seriously, many repro parts are a terrible fit, but there have at least been improvements in manufacturing, materials and quality control.

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2017, 07:09:01 AM »

I would say there is still a HUGE opportunity for a company or companies to come in and tool there products to exact specifications. I think the engineers that could pull this off are all to smart to bother with us in the classic car world though. I think 1 guy has the idea, and then contracts within China, and it all comes down to the ingenuity of the Chinese engineer(s), who probably have never even seen a Camaro, Mustang, or Charger, but has been enlisted to copy a part that was produced 40 years ago, and to do it almost "at cost", so the U.S. reproduction company can squeeze as much money out of each piece as possible.
But maybe i am way off base.....

bergy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2017, 10:29:29 AM »

any more feedback on the "new" endure bumper fit?

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #19 on:** July 27, 2017, 05:52:56 PM »

The last edition required significant addition of material in order to make them fit...

ZLP955 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2017, 10:22:20 AM »

James how did you find the fit (gap-wise) of the previous reproduction against the bottom of the grille, especially in the middle?

abiddle · « **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2017, 01:38:38 PM »

Beat me to the same question! Can you post some pics of the fit between the center of the grill and the ends?

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2017, 02:14:41 PM »

I had to add material to build up the height to meet the grille.
The mounting locations had to be modified in order to pull the bumper up closer -
also mount the outside corners first then pull the center brackets into place.

FWIW I used 3M automix bumper repair. (the bumper must be cleaned with lacquer thinner and then roughed with a rasp in order to get the repair material to adhere and successfully undergo a severe ~ doubled back upon itself ~deformation test)

Spies Hecker flexible primer $100 for 2 liters
Then used flex agent in the clear.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2017, 03:04:25 PM »

Is the reproduction made from 'fiberglass' or 'urethane' (like the originals)?? In your photos it appears more like fiberglass....??

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2017, 04:36:36 PM »

It is flexible Urethane, the additions flex every bit as well the original.

As I stated I did SEVERE deformation tests to ensure that there would be no separation later. FOLDED IT OVER UPON ITSELF with no issues as to adhering to the existing material.

bergy · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2017, 08:50:59 AM »

You made it fit way better than the originals IMO. Looks like the ends of he bumper didn't stick outboard from the "pocket" in the fender like the old re-pops did.

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2017, 11:21:36 AM »

Honestly having had an original paint endura car I knew how it should fit...
the reproduction was in no way or form acceptable or even presentable on any restoration purported to be "correct".

bergy · « **Reply #27 on:** July 30, 2017, 10:56:11 AM »

have any pics of the initial fit without any modifications to the bumper?

ZLP955 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 30, 2017, 01:14:22 PM »

Quote from: bergy on July 20, 2017, 10:29:29 AM

any more feedback on the "new" endure bumper fit?

Curious too; looks like nobody here has tried the newer reproduction VE3 then?

bergy · « **Reply #29 on:** July 30, 2017, 05:24:17 PM »

I thought that we were talking about the new one?

ZLP955 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 31, 2017, 12:32:59 PM »

Quote from: bergy on July 30, 2017, 05:24:17 PM

I thought that we were talking about the new one?

No, James modified the previous reproduction bumper on the LB car's restoration (see reply 19). Nobody has commented yet on the latest one by OER.

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #31 on:** July 31, 2017, 01:58:39 PM »

Quote from: bergy on July 30, 2017, 05:24:17 PM

I thought that we were talking about the new one?

Yes, my original post was questioning the 'quality' of the newest repro, as hawked by Heartbeat Chevy...

James had written: .. "We just received the new 1969 Camaro Endura Bumpers which are one of the nicest reproductions or any part we have ever seen. They are exact reproductions in every regard of thse original GM bumper. "

ZLP955 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 31, 2017, 09:52:54 PM »

Yes the thread started out about the latest reproduction, but comments and pictures were added about the earlier reproduction, and what James (firstgenaddict) did to work with it to fit as good as an original. So far, no hands-on experiences with the 'new' bumper.

JT Z28 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 10, 2019, 04:29:29 AM »

To date haven't had any luck with anyone really being able to come close to original endure bumper. I tried two with CI, once before was "retooled" and afterward ending of 2018 was "Retooled" to match taken from original molding.

JT Z28 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 10, 2019, 04:35:40 AM »

I have pictures if anyone is interested; the two I tried weight only 7.4LB my original weight is 11.4LB; also most in width were difference between 1/4inch to 1/2 inch.

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #35 on:** January 12, 2019, 06:04:05 PM »

I neglected to mention that in addition to the extension of the "wings" so they would fill the recesses I had to modify the out board mounts in order to pull the bumper tighter to the car.
IMO It appears the reproduction was designed to fit like a chrome bumper NOT an endura.

Triman8654 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 08, 2019, 01:28:56 PM »

I just ordered the latest version on Wednesday. Should be here soon. We shall see.

bergy · « **Reply #37 on:** March 27, 2019, 12:41:36 PM »

any update on this subject?

News:

Author Topic: Reproduction 69 Endura bumpers available? (Read 17873 times)