1970-2 vs 1973 rear bumper brackets
 

Until I can find a usable set of '73 rear bumper brackets, can one use the '70-2 repro brackets and mount it?

Never done it but I can’t imagine way you couldn’t

Yup. I've done it and they fit fine.

Good to know. Hopefully I can find the correct one(s) to replace. Maybe only the nut retainers are missing.

The big gotcha with the brackets is if they aren't straight to begin with they are a bear to try to fix. I'd say keep the early set on until you can find a near perfect set to save yourself some headaches.

No one will notice you have the early brkts. Unless of course you tell them.

The quarter panel side brackets sat on 4 "Paint insulators" as we called them at the dealer. One for each bolt, 2 per side.
Factory ones ( you can see them in assy manual, and Parts too), were a thin foam. These did do the job of protecting the factory paint the first time bumper was installed.
The big clips on these side brackets can easily make a deep scratch and let any water to the metal ( even a hand wash in driveway) .
A couple remedies I have used are Electrical tape, and Gorilla tape cut into squares. The originals were a slight sticky back.
We had a roll of whatever GM sent us, but it was about as rugged as the foam.
SO, If you have some fresh paint, I would recommend Protecting it!

good advice, but to late for me :mad:

73 Rear Brackets
 

Mike, I have an extra set of the taller brackets off a 73 Firebird.
Send me a PM.

Already have some squares made...

I swap the end brackets side to side it allows you to get a wrench in from the bottom to give that extra little movement to tweak the bumper fit/tilt on the ends

Anyone know what the OE plating/paint is on the brackets?

does anyone have length measurements to identify which is which?

Asking for a friend who might have brackets, but doesn't know how to identify one from the other.

I have a few sets, but not right here in front of me. The DO have Part numbers, which I would look at because I have seen used ones as a "mixed" set, which isnt good.

What did you choose to make them out of Mike? My Buddys 70 will be needing some, and he wants more than my 2 options, TY

Never new the 73 were different .what was the reason

the bumper standards changed for 1973.

That's why:
1) 1973 cars have a different front bumper
2) all 1973 cars had rear bumperettes

Yes makes sense now thanks for your reply

The 73 Firebird bumpers were spaced about 1" further away from the body for collision protection.
(if I remember correctly)

No actual lengths yet, but the difference was around an inch. Stamped part numbers (if readable) is 477xxx for the 1970-2 and 488xxx for the 1973. If still on the bumper, I would look for the dimples on the brackets around the license plate. I circled things that may indicate a '73 set.


This thread may help too.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=767670

Our work had some used 1/32" sheets of rubber. I coated with a PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) sheet and used a die to cut the 0.75"x0.75" squares. A 0.425" hole punch cut out the centers.

Pretty sure the new for '73 bumper "crash" standards were set at 5 MPH for the fronts and 2 1/2 MPH for the rears. So the front end got all those extra braces/brackets and the rear bumper simply got spaced a bit further from the body with these new brackets we're discussing.
Also pretty sure the the rear bumper guards were not part of the improved protection design, but were a "recommended" option. So they're commonly seen, but not all '73's had them. The March 15, '73 Dealer Accessorizer had the guards as option #732 V32 as in previous years. But were now noted as included with the Body Protection Group #334 Y95 which was not available on TA's.

Pretty sure the new for '73 bumper "crash" standards were set at 5 MPH for the fronts and 2 1/2 MPH for the rears. So the front end got all those extra braces/brackets and the rear bumper simply got spaced a bit further from the body with these new brackets we're discussing.
Also pretty sure the the rear bumper guards were not part of the improved protection design, but were a "recommended" option. So they're commonly seen, but not all '73's had them. The March 15, '73 Dealer Accessorizer had the guards as option #732 V32 as in previous years. But were now noted as included with the Body Protection Group #334 Y95 which was not available on TA's.

Wonder why I'm getting these double posts lately? Anyone else having this happen?

1973 Bodies got higher amp spot welds . This is why 72 shells could NOT be used...

/\ i don’t recall reading that;
now i guess scrapping all those strike cars kinda makes sense.

My '73 never had bumperettes (bumper guards).

My '72 has/had them. I left them off when I installed a rechromed bumper I had laying around.

neat!

I have never seen an unrestored 73 that didn't have them

'72 and '73

Attachment 629494

Attachment 629495

I too haven't ever heard or read that stronger spot welds item before either. It'd be cool to see some factory issue paperwork on that.

I had always just read that the cars were crushed because they would have required too many modifications to be finished as 1973 vehicles... but between us I thought that was bunk.

They were all vin coded as being 1972 and they were on the production line during the 1972 model year;
I never understood the justification for crushing them because how would have finishing those vehicles and shipping them "late" for the model year be any different than cars that languish in the lot outside of the production plant, or have some sort of production hold up which may have caused the vehicle to be pulled from the regular line to be finished off-line?

Most likely because of the big HUGE tax deduction GM would get for "having to" crush all those cars!

I should add, if they are still attached to the bumper, the stainless capped head on the '73 is larger.

Still haven't got the car. But, I was able to purchase a set of brackets. Had one nut to fix (not a standard nut for 3/8-16" thread. Head is 5/8" vs 9/16"). The plating looked to be a gray (or grey) phosphate, but I went with clear zinc. I will be on the lookout for individual pieces when I figure out what's what.

Well, they all had the rear bumper spaced further away from the body, but bumperettes were not standard equipment on 73’s, plenty of birds shipped/sold without them.

There's a NOS set on ebay at present.

Do you have a link or search phrase to use?

There was my problem. This is a thread on bumper brackets, not guards.

Brackets
 

Norwood or Van Nuys car?

Being it's a '73, it's a Norwood car.

Duh
 

Sorry,
Dont know what I was thinking, Duh. Homer moment.