Bumpers or not?

[turbokh]

Just looking for opinions.. I hae an 84 Spider (light blue, dark blue top if it matters.) I like the look of the bumperless cars with the rubber bumperettes, front signals repositioned. Is there any reason NOT to go bumperless? I don't typically make a habit of running into things.. do the big chrome tubes really do much other than a weight to the car? ..and that.. how much weight would I be droppig if I took the off??

The white car on Mark's website home page has an awesome look,, great wheels (what are they?) and bumper-free.. Hmmm...

-Karl

[TulsaSpider]

Purely personal taste as far as I am concerned. The bumpers weigh about 50 pounds each I am guessing. I dropped mine recently. I am so happy with the look and I can feel the difference in acceleration actually! Might check with the local laws if you are concerned about that sort of thing .

[Danno]

meh, screw local laws. 99% of the cops don't know what a Fiat should look like anyway, so wouldn't notice the missing equipment. They are heavy and ugly. I ditched mine, any accident i have with my car ain't gonna be helped by some stupid bumpers. (watch me total the car on my kids bicycle this summer, now that I said that)

[narfire]

Yes, we do our best not to run into things, however I believe a member had slid on some left over sand/gravel from the winter while rounding a corner. Slow slide into the ditch and the front bumper had saved damage to the hood.
Although I'm bumperless and love the look, I am always concerned at a mall lot. This is a retirement area and although most are good drivers there are some out in La-La land and will park right up to the car in front or because of a bum neck use brail or audio to back up. It will happen some day,I have an extra hood and trunk and paint...

[SLOSpider]

Just 2 weeks ago I watched an Old Fart who should of been off the road play bumper cars as he parked his 86 Dynasty between a Jaguar XJS Convertible and a Ford F250.....Just dont park where this can happen to you!

[So Cal Mark]

the tube bumpers weigh almost 75lbs each, I vote for the naked look

[turbokh]

Thanks for all the replies so far.. seems like I'm headed toward the naked look. 75 pounds each??? Wow!

So I should get the bumperettes, convert the front turns.. what about the front plate? Here in Buffalo, NY I could probably drive without a hood and fenders, but without the front license plate in place I'd get stopped in 10 minutes.. Can't find a picture of a Spider with the front plate attached to see where it would go and how it looks.....

[narfire]

Can you trim your plates?
So far I have'nt had a problem, but then I have'nt driven the car much recently.

[turbokh]

What lights and bumperettes are you using? Looks great!

[narfire]

Lights are from a honda motorcycle and the bumber-ettes are the rubber type I bought from Bruce's years ago when the Can. dollar was up at par or just above.
I have posted the mounting pics in the past, just not sure where. (this getting old sucks sometimes)
Chris

[CajunMike]

I say ditch them. The first accident my fiat was involved in my sister rear ended someone . The tube bumpers slid under the rear of the other car as the action of braking caused a lower front end height. They were completely useless. They didn't get a scratch but the hood was crushed. I will be tossing mine as soon as restoration commences.

[baltobernie]

Everybody has their preference; I like the look of the original bumpers, but they are truly non-functional. The front weighs 8 lbs., and wouldn't withstand hitting a squirrel, let alone another car

I think bumperless Spiders look like a pretty girl with a huge overbite.

[wachuko]

Unless you replace them for the early bumpers I would say, go naked.... But as others have mentioned, it is all about what YOU like. I have seen a few cars here with the heavy bumpers that still look beautiful.

Either way, post photos when you decide and make the changes, if any.

[Danno]

the tube bumpers weigh almost 75lbs each, I vote for the naked look

Nice Try, lol. I weighed mine (refer to this thread for the details) and the total weight for EVERYTHING was 93lbs (bumpers+rubber+shocks+bolts)

[Curly]

You could always try fabricating up your own chrome bumpers - these are from an 124 AC Coupe, they give some protection as well as somewhere to hang the turn indicators.