Styling 500 Chrome bumpers

[Pompei500]

My 1964 500 is now on its 3rd set of bumpers. The chromework is flaking off and corroding and they look very shabby, especially as the car was repainted 12 months ago...
I have seen 40 year old cars in Italy which, whilst battered have much better chrome.
Can anyone recommend either a source of decent bumpers (stainless steel would also be good as it is a D model) or somewhere that can do a decent re-chroming service?
Thanks

 

[dk500]

I know exactly how you feel ! My issue is the spacers ! :-(

 

[fiat500]

Changed days; I've had an unexpected tax repayment and I wasn't even playing Monopoly. So I've decided it might be time for a new front bumper (and seat-covers). But with the above postings in mind has anyone got first hand experience to say that any one supplier is better than another in this respect.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

Again, there are type different bumpers in terms of quality....

most the dealers stock the cheaper ones... basic chrome onto steel without any base plate of copper or such...

 

[fiat500]

Again, there are type different bumpers in terms of quality....

most the dealers stock the cheaper ones... basic chrome onto steel without any base plate of copper or such...

Thanks for that....it looks like the original is getting an extra wax polish instead.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

I do believe Stainless ones are available... Ricambio stock them so I guess several others do about £100 each...
They also list the "better quality ones at about £180 a pair
(Middle Barton are cheaper for the stainless ones)
these prices are over double the std bumpers

as usual you pay for what you get!!

I remember many years ago having a brand new bumper rechromed for a Lotus Europa and that cost me £100 and that was just to get it done to a high level.. the old term "triple plate" was required..

 

[Vitesse]

I got mine from Axel Gerstl a few years ago and I must admit I am well impressed with how they have held up. They are also really solid lumps of metal, some of the patent part ones I have had in the past have been quite thin metal. No surface rust on the chrome and only a little bit on the back which will probably rub off with a bit of autosol.

I wouldn’t be spending UK supplier prices they all come ultimately from they same few manufacturers. Ricambio prices are crazy.

Oh and my seat covers from them were good quality as well.

 

[fiat500]

I'lll look at AG then. Looked at stainless steel and even UK prices aren't dissimilar to chrome. Trouble is that stainless are a different sheen. As for seat covers...ta

 

[Vitesse]

I'lll look at AG then. Looked at stainless steel and even UK prices aren't dissimilar to chrome. Trouble is that stainless are a different sheen. As for seat covers...ta

I’ll post some pictures in a bit after I’ve taken the dog for a walk!!!!!!! She’s following me around waiting desperately with her legs crossed!!!!!

 

[fiat500]

I’ll post some pictures in a bit after I’ve taken the dog for a walk!!!!!!! She’s following me around waiting desperately with her legs crossed!!!!!

 

[Vitesse]

It’s difficult to get the right angle and to show how thick the metal is but it gives an idea.

 

[the hobbler]

The pictures of the bumpers show a high standard of 'chroming'---are they re-chromed originals,or 'as bought' from a supplier. The problem in the UK seems to be (a) finding a specialist who can do it at a fair price and, (b) the inordinate amount of time it takes in the UK to get any chroming done. One watches the American 'restoration'programs and they all seem to be able to get chroming done at a sensible price and QUICKLY!

 

[Bigvtwin996]

Spoke to Andrea about the old quality issues...
they have the better quality bumpers
http://www.passione500.it/paraurti-...ed-steel-high-quality-fiat-500-n-d-f-l-r.html


I can get a discount with them... just takes a little longer (Sean will testify lol) as I have to deal with Andrea not anyone else and he does tend to have lots of holidays and long lunches


but as I have said.. worth while if a few people put an order together and get a pallet of stuff shipped...


Prices are all over the place at the moment as suppliers holding fire till enough pre-orders placed, and some dealers having old stock....

 

[Vitesse]

The pictures of the bumpers show a high standard of 'chroming'---are they re-chromed originals,or 'as bought' from a supplier. The problem in the UK seems to be (a) finding a specialist who can do it at a fair price and, (b) the inordinate amount of time it takes in the UK to get any chroming done. One watches the American 'restoration'programs and they all seem to be able to get chroming done at a sensible price and QUICKLY!

Those pictures Tom were pattern parts from Axel Gerstl. I bought them about four years ago and at the time I was really impressed with their quality. The proof of the pudding is four years down the line the chrome is still really good. I don’t know if I got lucky but I have bought others over the years that were no where near as good.

Tony

 

[Duffys Dad]

I bought cheap one from AG on the basis that I could afford to replace them when they rust. Keep mine in a integral garage and so far they have not rusted like original ones. And still look good

 

[fiat500]

Those pictures Tom were pattern parts from Axel Gerstl. I bought them about four years ago and at the time I was really impressed with their quality. The proof of the pudding is four years down the line the chrome is still really good. I don’t know if I got lucky but I have bought others over the years that were no where near as good.

Tony

I ended up going with that recommendation and I am very pleased with the quality. An added benefit with AG is that although it's a bit expensive with extra packaging needed on big items, that packing is really good and everything arrives in excellent condition. They fitted perfectly and although theoretically that shouldn't be an unreasonable expectation, I am used to complaining about the poor fit of new parts.
I also bought new headlamp surrounds as they are so cheap. Again the quality is good and I will simply buy new ones when these turn to rust.
The bonnet is missing because I also decided to replace this as it was the original and the edge against the scuttle had been fabricated by me and I was never happy with it. This is not fitted yet as I had to paint it first, but it is also a surprisingly good fit; I may go on about this later.

FER_3489 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

You can see the bumper spacers which are only 18 months old andwhich have not been out on salty, winter roads.

FER_3484 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

I dipped them and the old ones in acid and ended up sparaying the old ones wih silver wheel-paint and lacquer. Although Murf would benefit from a basic respray after tidying up a few flaws which have developed, these cosmetic details really lift the appearance.

 

[Vitesse]

If they are same ones I recommended and imagine AG wouldn’t swap the supplier if they new they were a decent item! They are surprising thick steel aren’t they and a really good chrome job. It might be worthwhile spraying a bit of Waxoyl or a like inside the backs of them just to keep the salty sea air at bay. Mine have a few little spots of surface corrosion after 4 years but nothing that won’t wipe of with some autosol.

They are one of the few pattern parts that I have bought that may actually be better than the originals?

 

[Bigvtwin996]

.......................................
I also bought new headlamp surrounds as they are so cheap. Again the quality is good and I will simply buy new ones when these turn to rust.

why not buy the alloy ones ..... and highly polish them........



and the bumper mounts are available chrome plated.... "BLING"

 

[Spike64]

why not buy the alloy ones ..... and highly polish them........



and the bumper mounts are available chrome plated.... "BLING"

I’ve recently bought a pair back from passion 500 in Italy and the Chroming is really good........... and I’m known for being just a tad fussy at times :slayer::slayer:

 

[fiat500]

why not buy the alloy ones ..... and highly polish them........

I wasn't sure if I should post this here, on the thread about aluminium headlamp surrounds or the one about creating patina!

But here is one of the headlamp-surrounds which was pictured when new in an image earlier in the thread. We are four months on, the car has not seen much rain but I have to admit it has seen a little bit of road salt. The surround is in a disastrous condition and looks worse than the 50 year-old ones which I threw away. This time I am actually going to complain to the supplier.

So with the help of our in-house antique(s) expert I have obtained some old, aluminium rims to replace them. I have cleaned them up a little and then lacquered them in order to preserve them at this level of patination.

It has been useful to see the slight wear-markings on the aluminium which show me that they were fitted to their original car(s) in a manner that implies that the rims are meant to be fairly well protruded from the housing. I have always thought it looked a bit of an error from original when I see the many cars where the rim is very recessed in the surround.

I suppose this counts as another mod?