It's been posted in the past, but we are always welcoming new members. The thing about building hot rods has always been about the fact that there are no rules, building traditional hot rods there are a few but bumpers and the use of them has always been a personal decision. I am of the opinion it depends on the car, for instance I can't imagine a fenderless hiboy with a bumper or a 40 Willy's Gasser with a front bumper ether. What do you guys think? HRP
The only hot rod I ever had with bumpers was my 40 coupe, I didn't want them on my coupe and like you said, cars without fender don't need bumpers.
Will we need another thread where we post photos of cars from the 1950's with ugly bumpers? They were required just like fenders in some states. Bob
Optional on tri fives! Some don't like the way a '57 looks without it, I know. Got a pal who gives me shit about mine.. His hardtop shown. Seems fewer people dislike '55s without the front bumper.
Always had bumpers on the early Fords we have had in the garage, but then everyone of them has been full fender cars. My grandpa passed on the thinking I have to run a 32 Ford bumper on every 33-34 pickup we have on the front. Never run a rear bumper on a pickup as it kinda looks out of place.
Front looks fine without. Rear,,, I don't trust anybody. Bumper is a must. My sedan had both. I had to remove the front for looks. My coupe will have a stock rear bumper 'til I can craft something nicer.
I’d imagine there are/may be laws in places, but in reality will a bumper protect you, your car etc, in a “at speed” collision of say 35 mph or more?
No they are bumpers. They are not Crash rails. They used to be needed in urban parallel parking, where streets where crowded. Also needed when compressions were low and six volt gen. systems were marginal. Ma used to holler " Just keep backing up 'til you hear glass! ". A phenomenon of old timey bumpers was when one climbed over another and got caught. The scene was like early morning, some citizen helping another with trying to get old Betsy running gives a push to fire up the old buggy, when the bumpers got locked. One guy is in the over top car rocking the clutch. The other guy is standing on the underneath car jumping up and down. Attempting to get them to separate. Lots of fun. Usually they get free but its a sweat to face first thing on a cold morning.
Required in PA, at least when I built my '31. Stainless steel '31 on the front, more of a push bar in the rear. I built a wooden mock-up and had it welded at an Amish shop. He thought t was for a hay wagon and I let it go.
My 30 Ford I built in the 70's and then a redo to be more hot rod like. Depends on the look you want. I wanted a more hot rod like sedan after driving the car a few years, so one night I cut the top off! Yes it's the same car!
My preference is the '55 Chevy looks best without a bumper if it's a hot rod, stock keep the bumper. HRP
Mark, nothing personal and you know I love you brother but the first version of your Model A was as cool as they come. HRP
I liked custom nerf bars on nearly every thing! Or nothing. That maybe,do too I saw more,then those living in more isolated spots. Likes an dislikes are often formed by were you lived an when, combined with local trends. Big city or small town. Did you travel,making your out-look wider. Those trends also have too do with how isolated your own experience is. Most added to there ideas from out side input. Impart like auto mag./HotRod n other little car books.
When I built my Model A pickup, I built it on a shoe string budget and couldn't afford a bumper, a good friend offered me a rusty model A bumper and said I could paint it but I just thought the truck looked more like a hot rod without one. HRP
Another car that I like without a front bumper and radius rear fender wells is the '52 -'54 Ford coupe, the one below belongs to a hamber. To me it just has a street racer look. HRP
I’ve been toying with this idea, not sure if I’ll go this route. But what goes on can come off. Kind of like changing tire wheel combos
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