In the process of trying to knock a lil of the ugly off the back of My Bird! Has anybody in here ever done a sheetmetal filler on a 56 rear bumper after removing the continental kit from it? I’ve heard about it but never seen it done. I’m torn between doing it or Trimming the splash apron and Just putting a 55 bumper on it. I’d love to see some pics of Mild custom birds also if anybody has any to share. TIA!
I've always liked the look of the little birds without the front or rear bumper guards. For some reason, I've never liked continental kits.
Yes that’s what appears to be a 55 bumper on a 56! That’s what I’ll end up doing if I can find a reasonable priced one. If not I’ll make a filler for the 56 bumper and delete the Continental Kit. I was hoping to see a pic of one done with a filler in place, as 56 has exhaust exits in the corners of the back bumper.
Agree! I think they look fine on them if it’s a stock appearing car, but I feel the 55 bumper just looks more sports car/custom if tucked in nicely.
Back in the late 60's I bought a 56 with a 55 bumper. I guess I never realized that they had to change the splash apron. Probably just used a 55 splash apron.
Friend of mine with a $850 beater '56 'bird years ago couldn't find a bumper to replace the tire. We hit a local wrecking yard & discovered a '55 Customline rear with back bars was the same width at the frame rails. Even the mount holes were the same spacing. It didn't look as weird as it sounds ....
Yes, scrounge up a 55 bumper. And trim the rear tailpan so you can tuck in the bumper.You can chose to run the exhaust however you want underneath or get a 55 rear section. ( I just happen to have one!0 Anyway good luck. All the 56 stuff will sell for a decent price to those in search of it. here's a pic of athe 55 rear section I have. Looks rusty but it is not, all in primer FYI the license plate area is a different size between the two years. I also have a 56 rear sectionlsimilar to this if you need pieces.It has the tailight areas with it.
I don’t know if they still make them but regal roadster’s used to make a chrome steel rear bumper, no bolts showing. Be worth asking given that a 55 bumper will probably need chrome and some work. Most of the pictures show them painted, but that’s kind of the market they build for. http://www.regalroadsters.com/index.html
Could you use one of these '56 Fairlane rear bumpers to get the one piece but also have the exhaust ports? Not that I have one to sell you, but I wonder if it would work. Probably easier to find than a '55 T-bird bumper and it still has the nifty cutouts.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum.../5256574-a070d649de4b6fb77523a54c56abd719.jpg I always have to take a long look at the distance between the front of the door and the rear of the front wheel opening. Not sure any other car comes close. Well, maybe a Cheetah. Or a Cobra. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/POTQFLXVKTI/maxresdefault.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/...02b8-d549-454c-aae2-9d9948ad05e8/WG2F1298.jpg
Those 2 photos are very interesting to compare. Looks like the T-Bird doors are way longer than the Vettes.
Not sure but it’s a good looking bumper, I’ll keep an eye out for one and see what shape it has and if it’s close that would be cool!
I’ve seen ‘birds done with the 56 back panel (no exhaust openings or bumper overriders for exhaust) and a plain 55 bumper. Much nicer than the picture squirrel posted (on a finished car and without those overriders). I always thought that if I got my 55 repainted that’s what I’d do. But the money for the bodywork and paint always seemed to end up in the drivetrain. The bird suppliers used to sell that rear panel as patch panel for the 56. I don’t know about the splash apron or if the 56 will trim out.
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