I have the two standard front bumper guards on about 22" spacing between the mounting holes in the bumper. I have found(in"cherry" form) what I think is an optional grill protector bumper guard that consists of the two vertical guards with holes in each that the two horizontal pieces fit into. Due to interference I can not use both the "standard" and the "optional" guards. My problem is that the "option" bolt attach spacing must be 17 to 18 inches, in order to accomodate the horizontal sections. I would thus need to drill new holes in the chromed bumper and fill the original holes with just decorative bolt heads.
Questions: (1)Since my restoration is as close to original as possible, is it a mistake putting two new holes in a perfectly good bumper to mount this neat "optional" grill guard? and (2) Is it wrong to assume that the car when purchased new, could have had an original bumper that had the two set of holes? I do not know since I bought the car with no bumpers. (3) can I easily drill new holes in a bumper without messing up the chrome?
Sorry for the long winded question.
Don
I can not speak as an absolute expert on the '40 Plym bumper/fender guards, but can say that the guards are the same for the '39 P8 and '40 P9. There are no additional holes in the bumpers for the '39's, the grille and fender guards all bolt into the stock bumper holes via a special bumper guard that bolts over the guard bars. I resently was lucky enough to aquire an original set of guards for my '39 Plym after looking for almost ten years....Bill
Don - there were several different bumper/grill guard options in 1940. I find most of them to be ugly and hide the front end but thats my opinion! I'll try to remember to dig out the accessory book and make copies to send to you. JB (If I forget - remind me!)
After your posts I decided to not drill holes in my bumper to accomodate an unrecognized grill guard for the 40 P-9. The issue does raise a couple of questions.
1. What does the grill guard that I have fit? I have been trying to attach a picture of it to this response, but can't seem to get it done.
2. Why is there a notch in one of the four "standard" bumper guards I found and had chromed a couple of years ago, while the other three ( 2 for rear & 2 for front ) have no notch. Could it be that some "standard" guards were made to accomodate some type of grill guard?
Jim, I would appreciate any accessory book info you might have that would shed some light.
Thanks
Don
Hey Don, See the attached photo of my friend's 1940 P10 with his front bumper guards. These vertical guards have the cut out at the top that you talk about on the one you have. The cut out receives the tubing part of the guard.
I have on my shelf a nose bumper guard the is one vertical guard with three horizontal pieces. I could do a picture of this one too, if you wish.
I hope the attachment photo works.
I believe that the guards shown in the picture, outter ends of the bumper, are actually called "fender guards". These are the guards I referred to in my earlier posting which are the same for the '39/40, this is because the '39/40 use the same bumper guards. The bumper guards for this accessory are notched out to receive the heavy bar part of the fender guard. There appears to be many variations of a center (grille) guard, most of which are most likely after market," Western Auto" type accessories, that fit many models/years of cars. As I said earlier, I looked for almost ten years to find a set of '39'40 fender guards, now I have a set but I am not to sure if I am going to use them. They look good on other peoples cars but I am afraid they will cluter things up on the front of my car.???....Bill
Ken:
I would greatly appreciate a picture of the one vertical guard with the three pieces you mention. Does "on the shelf" mean it is for sale? WOW, your friend's P-10 is a spitting image of my P-9, black paint and all! How do you get pictures inserted into these posts?
Don
Bill- I now understand the "notch" in my one guard. Thank you
If you should decide to not install the "fender guards" and want to sell them, could we talk?
Don
Don,
Here is the photo of the single vertical bumper guard with three horizontal bars. I have seen these new in a magazine called "Roundup" for $60, available at most newsstands. Therefore you probably would not want to have the one in the picture plated for hundreds of dollars. I agree with JB with having the one in the front as it detracts from the beauty of the grill.
To attach a picture click on "Additional Options", then you can "Browse" your computer for the picture you want to attach.
Sent You an e-mail, Don, how to put pictures. Go