Date:         Thu, 16 Oct 1997 10:27:22 -0600
Reply-To:     Eric Small <Eric_Small@AMRCORP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Eric Small <Eric_Small@AMRCORP.COM>
Subject:      Re: bumper questions/specifics
Comments: To: sbart7kb@WWW.MWC.EDU
Content-Type: text/plain

Sean Bartnik wrote:
[snip]...
>What do you all think?  Can anyone give me specifics on price/quality?
>I notice motorworks has a bumper for Vanagon for $140.  Bus Depot has a
>chrome one for $150 but no holes for impact strip.
...[snip]

Sean, I have had the misfortune of being rear ended in my '86 Vanagon twice this
year. The first time I got the usual estimates from body shops for the repair
then did the work myself. The perpetrator's's insurance company paid up. I
repainted the rear apron and bumper mounts and had my bumper straitened and
re-chromed by The Bumper Mart (972)263-3676 in Dallas, TX for $135. I am a real
perfectionist and was expecting to be disappointed but instead I was surprised
with an incredible job. Better than original -at least a ten year old original.
I had a little extra $$ left over to help buy new injectors. I figure I put a
good number of hours into removal repair and reassembly of the van so this is
not fraudulent or dishonest. The second hit came only one month later when I was
stopped in traffic and hit from the rear pushing me into the truck in front of
me. This time the perp. was uninsured. This time the rear bumper could not be
repaired so I pick a slightly damaged one out of a salvage yard for $40. and had
it straightened and rechromed. Again, awesome results. Also had the front bumper
done. The front is OEM polished aluminum but now mine is chrome like the rear.
Looks great. The rear impact strip survived both hits -some new clips were
necessary. New end caps are relatively cheap. The front impact strip was wrecked
by the tow hook on the truck. I used a rear strip on the front which goes all
the way across the front -sans license plate.  This requires some drilling but
it looks better than the two seperate ones.

Anyway, in summary... I would get your bumper fixed if it was in good shape
before the hit, re-use the impact strip with new clips as necessary,  and buy
new end caps. Thats my advise!

Eric Small
Dallas, TX

'86 GL
'93 Audi 100