1800: P1800S Bumper Juggling

[Waddii]

Hi All, I am probably going to risk the wrath of the purists on the forum but I would like to know how feasible it is to change the straight bumpers on my P1800S 1968 car to cowhorn bumpers?

I can fabricate any brackets if that is the only way.......

[Ron Kwas]

Waddii;

Welcome to this Forum!

There have been much more serious, horrendous, and sometimes inappropriate changes than installing the early curved bumpers on a later model...this automotive aberration comes to mind:

...presuming you can procure a reasonably priced set in good shape (my money would first go to a set of Anti-Sway Bars, 6" Minilites, and modern tires, but that's just me!), I believe the bracketry is the same.

Cheers

[Waddii]

Mmmm, not to my taste, but it takes all sorts!

I am concerned that the body shape hence bumper fit is not an issue. The manual seems to show different bracket shapes but they might have identical hole positioning.

[Tint]

I have done exactly this, not to the purists taste which I totally get, but looks so so much better.

You can get the bumpers from Brookhouse Volvo and yes the angle irons are different and I got these from Skandix. You will have to fabricate the back wings of the car in order to accommodate the further reaching round rear bumpers, I had Malton Coachworks do this for me as this was beyond my comfort zone.

[Waddii]

Tint, that is really helpful, thanks. As a supplementary, I'm hoping to change the three spoke steering wheel to a two spoke. Did you do that? any snags....

[Tint]

Apologies just seen your further question. Yes I did and the steering wheel change was easy but you need to change the wiring for the horn which can be bought from Brookhouse Volvo. The steering wheel I changed myself but had the wiring done at Malton Coachworks whilst car was having some bodywork done. So not 100% sure what's involved other than is tricky because wire has to be threaded down cavity in steering column spline and I bet they used existing wire and pulled it through using that. Hope this helps.

[mike gilbert]

Originally Posted by Waddii

Hi All, I am probably going to risk the wrath of the purists on the forum but I would like to know how feasible it is to change the straight bumpers on my P1800S 1968 car to cowhorn bumpers?

I can fabricate any brackets if that is the only way.......

Hello Waddii, I see you live in Huntingdon. I am not far away in Peterborough and have a couple of 1800's. If you want to borrow some cowhorn bumpers and brackets to see how they fit and look I have a set which are not ready to go on a car yet. You are welcome to mess about with them, you might change your mind once their fitted. As has been said the only problem is the rear corners need some support on the ends but you can do that by elongating the mounting irons if you don't want to cut holes in your wings.

Personally I do not like the cowhorns but each to their own.

[hichamaziz]

hi thank you so much for sharing

[Waddii]

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful info. Fishyboy's wheel restoration looks great (sure you didn't just buy a new one?!)

Mike, that is a very generous offer, and yes I am beginning to wonder if it really would look better with cowhorns, the straight ones are begining to grow on me a bit, just as the straight door chromes are. I'm re-stuffing the seats so I can't drive it at the mo but maybe I'll contact you later when it is back on the road.

I used to think I was indecisive but now I'm not so sure....

Cheers,

Dick

[mike gilbert]

No probs Dick. I might be picking up a two spoke wheel soon with some other parts when the seller can be tied down to a convenient date. Also be interested to come over and look at your car as I work in Huntingdon - well Alconbury. I might well know it from the dim and distant past.