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SBsurfer

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I started looking to purchase my first '57, so I have alot of questions. Recently, I followed my friend in his '57 to a car show, and for the first time, I noticed that his taillights did not align with the bumper end pieces below them. Now that I am searching the internet for my '57, I am noticing that this seems to be common. I assume that this is not correct, but is this a major problem to fix if I buy a car with this "condition"?
 
Bumper ends

It's more common than you would think on an original car. These cars were mass produced for transportation. They were not put together by computerized robots and adjustments were made on the assembly line using pry barsor two by fours as necessary. Perfection was never possible. I have the same condition on one side of my car with no signs of previous damage so it's probably the same way it left Norwood.

Joe
 
One part of the problem with some of the cars is the reproduction bumpers that were installed and the repro parts not within factory specification. If you do a search, you will come up with a couple of threads outlining the problem. Other times its as Joe says. I could never get the bumper on my 57 to line up perfectly and I have original pieces.
 
I started looking to purchase my first '57, so I have alot of questions. Recently, I followed my friend in his '57 to a car show, and for the first time, I noticed that his taillights did not align with the bumper end pieces below them. Now that I am searching the internet for my '57, I am noticing that this seems to be common. I assume that this is not correct, but is this a major problem to fix if I buy a car with this "condition"?
As you guessed, the bumper ends are the problem and many reproduction ends didn't fit right. The first bumper I put on my 57, the ends were over an inch too wide. They didn't line up with the tail light housings and stuck out from the body. I had some original ends replated and they fit pretty nice.
 

Attachments

Since I restored my car and put most of it together, I am super aware of flaws with gaps etc.
However, when I take it somewhere most people rave about how gorgeous it is. Maybe we become too picky the closer we are to the car.
But it is true that we have a mass produced automobile that was never intended to last to become an icon.
Still love it though.
 
Anytime I have either had to replace a bumper, section, or end ,or if there wasn't one when I bought the car . The bumper was not or did fit very well. I found when I used my original bumper it fit better. One time I traded my old bumpers to a guy plus some cash for his already re-chormed bumpers they did not fit very well on my car. Just a thought .. Mike
 
I started looking to purchase my first '57, so I have alot of questions. Recently, I followed my friend in his '57 to a car show, and for the first time, I noticed that his taillights did not align with the bumper end pieces below them. Now that I am searching the internet for my '57, I am noticing that this seems to be common. I assume that this is not correct, but is this a major problem to fix if I buy a car with this "condition"?

I used a Keystone reproduction rear bumper. Passenger side fit perfect. Left side was about a 1/4" wide. I made it respectable with some manual persuasion and a thicker gasket on the inside tail light to space it in the center.

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57 Bumper

I also bought a Keystone rear and sent the driver side end back for a replacement. The new fit as well as my original which wasn't perfect. These cars were not built "perfect", no robots back then.


Joe
 
I have the same problem with my Bel Air. Spent hours adjusting and got them close, but not perfect, both Originals and reproductions. I just live with it...
:anim_25:
 
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