Just bought black x19 very little rust 58000 miles for £250. How much of a job is it to put early shape bumpers on or have no bumpers at all, is it legal?
Swapping the bumpers to the early 1300 version is fairly envolved. The mountings are very different so you can't just bolt them on. You need to fill all the little holes where the rubberised end caps are fitted currently and you need to source the complete 1300 front grill and spoiler as these are actually part of the bumper assembly on the 1500.
Running without a bumper is not illegal but leaving bits of pointy metal sticking out is - you would need to grind the old mountings back and then smooth the end results out, preferably welding cover plates in. Alternatively you can just buy a GRP nose skin that does not include the bumper mountings - more work again but better looking.
Thanks jimbro i think i will go with no bumpers because of the hassle.i got to strip it down first to see how much rot there is and remove the engine to fit a new clutch etc.It is a 1987 1500 will it run on unleaded? also where will i find a grp nose skin.thanks again
*all* x1/9s will run on unleaded with just a timing modification. they were all specified to run on the fuel to meet the fuelling requirements of the USA which had been on unleaded for many years by that point.
if you want a nose cone I can have them made to order as I own a set of moulds for the front end. It won't go straight on as it is intended as part of a single piece front end for my racecar but the panel is accurate and includes cutouts for the headlights.
The nose section i have is basically from the lip of the bonnet all the way down to the bottom of the front spoiler but it isn't really intended to bridge the gap you are talking about - the panel you want was originally metal.
Really all it would be good for in your case is replacing a rotten nose panel (and they do rot). The bottom spoiler is designed to pair up with the modified wings.
How much is the nose cone jimbro? i emailed cascu on the subject of mk1 bumper ends but none in stock but recommened fibreglass ones at £60 a set, are they any good.i have a lot more work to do first but i am trying to see what options i have regarding the bumpers as i do not like the later type.i am going down my friends where it is stored friday to strip it so i will see how bad the rot is .Thanks Shaun