Bumper Delete Legality in Washington (not DC), and opinions

[rush113]

So i have a 1979 Spider 2000, and im considering a bumper delete...to me, the beauty is worth the potential consequence, HOWEVER...i was wondering if anyone on here knows the status of the law here in Washington...and if so...how enforced this law is... thanks... [the google gods do not abide when it comes to legal questions ]

[htchevyii]

I'm not sure about Washington, but I'm sure it's illegal in CA, although if you go about it right with some Abarth bumps or something factory looking, I doubt that most cops are going to know what year the car is and what the bumpers are supposed to look like.

[So Cal Mark]

it is illegal in Calif, the civil code merely says that if a car came equipped with bumpers then bumpers are required. I interpret that to mean ANY bumper since it doesn't specify oem only.
You should be able to access the state law at your state gov website

[rush113]

Thanks to both for the replies, i was also wanting to pick your brain(s) on the most minimal or least visible bumper... any ideas... also worth mentioning, im a welder...so any ideas for something in that arena would help

[launieg]

As you might know, bumpers (or none) as are an oft-discussed topic on this forum, but the fact that you are a welder has me thinking. I took off my tube bumpers and absolutely love the improved handling - can't imagine putting them back on - but I do want to have a bumper of some kind. (I hit the ditch a while back - thank you tube bumpers - plus I find the "no bumper" look a little odd - my personal taste.) I'm toying with putting on a set of the old-style chrome bumpers, but I'm interested in alternatives. And I don't much like the look of Abarth bumps or equivalents.

I was thinking of a single, black tube bumper, nicely curved to the contours of the valence and fenders, no more than an inch and a quarter in diameter. I guess it could be solid, but I'd like to see some compromise between a tube (to make it lighter) and some strength (so it actually functions as a bumper in an emergency). The ends of the bumper should be rounded or bullet shaped. Can you picture it? Subtle, clean, and not cheap looking or inappropriate. Could you bend and/or weld up something like that? Put it on the current bumper shock mounts? How much would it weigh, if solid?

This is for the front; I haven't thought about the rear-end equivalent.

[rush113]

that would be approx 25 lbs !!!, and if solid steel. Also, solid isnt necessarily better, you'll want something with a absorbing factor...a designed weak point....as the force of impact is distributed through the car, a tube will absorb more force than a bar...impact will damage...so it depends which part you want damaged.

that being said, a 1/4 or 1/3 inch thick tube with one and a quarter inch diameter is totally do-able, and at approx 14.5 lbs, a much better option imho. another consideration is that a solid bar would be much more expensive and wouldnt be able to be as smoothly curved.

also, i feel obligated to inform you that i am seventeen,and am not as of yet officially a certified welder, however, i have been in a 2 hour a day welding class for three years and have welded truck and car bumpers as well as chairs, tables, motorcycle frames etc. i am expecting to certify this coming school year. im more than capable and willing to do the job if your willing to cover materials, shipping and a little labor

[racydave]

I used half of the original tube bumper. Drilled a hole in the shock, approx a quarter inch from the rear and compressed them. Made a concave end on the shock. Then I cut off one tube from original bumper and MIG welded the tube to the shock. Best part, no monies spent! http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwwfiatspi ... 540956286/ The next question, turn and park lamps! These are Billet ordered from Cycle-re-cycle http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb18 ... dixie2.jpg

[mbouse]

Dave,

those cuties holding your front end in place are gonna cause their momma some heartache one day soon. i'd be treasuring that cheesecake picture if i were someone...

[rush113]

Dave,

I'm not entirely sure but it sounds as though launie doesn't weld... but that would be a pretty good solution that would work for alot of people... also, sounded as though he wanted the tube to be no more than 1.25 inches OD, and thats quite a bit "skinnier" than the stock tubes to my knowledge.

Launie,

Just brainstorming, but what did you have in mind for lighting and signals? The reason i ask is that i could fabricate some sort of housing, clamp, or even have them inset into the tube...

Also, would you want to have the tube bolt on or welded...that will have to be considered.... to figure out whether or not you would need to send the bump shocks to me...

Also, how much wrap around would you want...

[racydave]

Mike, thoes precious girls belong to 4babycar. The littelest one liked my Orange beastie the best, while the older one liked J. Montgomerys X in the background. I treasure this pic, and have it at work to brighten up the place! Its from Dixiefest.

[4babycar]

Mike - Thanks, those are my girls! They do love FIATS!

Dave - Sorry to correct you but was my oldest that loved your car ( but she still insists that it should have a maroon pin-stripe - GO VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES!) and it was my youngest that loved the X's. Again, thanks to all who attended the DFF for a great weekend. I only wish we could have made FFO this year.

[4babycar]

I guess now is a good time for these stories too...... My girls have now started to wave and yell ' Mom, Dad there goes a Fiat!' every time they see a Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee! Our friend who is a Jeep owner/enthusiast, recently made his own bumper sticker after seeing one on a Ram 2500, it reads....... 'Yep, its a FIAT.'

Sorry for hijacking your post about bumpers, good luck. I hope to go that route soon but I want to figure out how I am going to tackle the front turn signals/hazard lights first.

[mbouse]

Mike,
my wife and i raised four of those cherubs, and i still cherish those types of pictures. makes my heart smile. take as much advantage of these days as you can; they turn into women WAY too soon.

[amsiegel]

Just so Mike can go AWWW



That my 7 month old pride an joy.

[rush113]

Very adorable everyone... But I'm sure we all know there's a better thread for this digression. No hard feelings, yeah?