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Old 06-14-2026, 07:13 AM
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Default Do this look normal on a 72 Firebird

Hi: Installed a new metal valance on my 72 Firebird. Does this look normal with the bottom of the front bumper? It looks unfinished. How does one cover up the bolt holes on the bottom of the bumper or nose cone. I'm amazed that Pontiac left this looking unfinished. Also, the gap between the signal lights and the bumper. I've looked at other pics and they appear the same. Thoughts. Thanks

Oh and if anybody is looking for Globalwest lower control arms for regular springs, they are for sale. I'm going with Globalwest coil overs. https://www.globalwest.net/product/cta-71l/
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Last edited by chuckies76ta; 06-14-2026 at 07:19 AM.
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Old 06-14-2026, 08:03 AM
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Pontiac painted that section black (flat black?)



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Old 06-14-2026, 08:29 AM
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Looks normal. I painted the lip of the nose satin black and it dissappears.

Not the best pic, but you can see there's no white edge showing thru the lower valance openings


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Old 06-14-2026, 10:40 AM
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72 & 73 valance = Plastic plastic plastic.
looks sooo much better

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Old 06-14-2026, 06:30 PM
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I like the metal one on these cars if the exposed area of the endura bumper is painted black, certainly not going to put a plastic one on a 70, 71 or early 72.

Chuck, you have the answer paint it black. When Pontiac switched to plastic(late 72 and 73) and the plastic ones quickly started cracking, they issued a service bulletin to replace it with the metal one and paint the uncovered area black.

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Old 06-15-2026, 10:44 AM
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as mentioned, that lower lip was sprayed black;
I believe there is a document somewhere showing how much was painted black, as the black paint was applied after the body color paint was done, and it did come up to the under side of the bumper a tiny bit...

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Old 06-15-2026, 11:34 AM
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Looks normal. I have seen tighter gaps and some not so much. We are in the latter but still aesthetically fine.

I cheat and draw the center up more with a stepped stud through the nose cone, "cage" (1973) and valance. Never with be a license plate holder on this.
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Old 06-15-2026, 02:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hojs69 View Post
Never with be a license plate holder on this.

Front plates on 2nd gens should be classified as a war crime

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Old 06-15-2026, 03:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 72projectbird View Post
Front plates on 2nd gens should be classified as a war crime
100% agreement there. I didn't get to the shop quick enough before they added the bracket on mine. They didn't black out the bottom edge on the bumper as others mentioned.
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Old 06-15-2026, 09:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srmmmm View Post
100% agreement there. I didn't get to the shop quick enough before they added the bracket on mine. They didn't black out the bottom edge on the bumper as others mentioned.
The bumps on the bottom of the panel (circled in red in attached picture) were blacked out as well.
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Old 06-16-2026, 08:02 PM
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I'll just Thank you all for taking time to post replies and pics. I really appreciate it..

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68 Firebird. IA2 block, 505 cu in, SD Performance E-head, Solid roller 3600 weight. Reid TH400 3:90 gear. 28" slick.
Best so far 9.95@135 mph. 1.39 60 ft.
76 Trans am, TKX .81 o/d, 3.73 Moser rearend,
468 with KRE D-ports, Doug headers, 3" Exhaust
950 Quickfuel.
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