front fender and bumper info needed

[bloodyjaws]

Hello again. Ok, now that I've bothered everyone about the 429/460, I have a few new questions.

1. What is the difference between 71/72 and 73 front fenders? Can I put a 71 bumper and grill setup in my 73?

2. What about rear bumpers? I figure I'll need 71 bumper brackets front and rear, anything else I need?

I'm not sure if I want to swap to the 71 look or keep the 73 look for my car. Thanks for any help, opinions you guys might have. Chris

 

[sm3570]

73 bumper/grille/fenders are different than 71/72 because of federal standards. If you want to put a 71 bumper on, you'll have to replace the fenders as well. Not sure about the rear bumper though.

Since you're asking for an opinion though, I'd say if you have a 73, keep it a 73.

 

[Ponydrvr72]

When i see a 73, i think low factory performance,even the q code was just a cobra jet in name, it had been well defanged for 73. i prefer the hockey sticks over the stripe. i have a 73 right fender on my 72, the door and hood line up well but there is a slight difference in the front valance,making the running light on that side look askew.

 

[sm3570]

The low performance expectation makes it an awesome sleeper. It's still a Q-code Cleveland, rebuild it with high compression pistons, put some Aussie heads on it, etc. etc. That thing would be a screamer.

 

[bloodyjaws]

Thanks Steve. I don't think I want to create more work for myself. The car is a 73, and I think she will stay a 73. I was thinking of 71 type stripes but the 73 style is really starting to grow on me. I think the Grabber Lime with black interior and stripes is going to be the way to go. Chris

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Chris I have a 73 but I want a 71 . . . so I converted the grill, I'm working with a Crites Fiberglass bumper, trimming the grill and making custom bumper brackets to get the front end shed of the extra 100 pounds.

The only way to truly do it right is to replace the fenders, grill, hood latch (wont fit the 71-72 grill) alter wiring, replace front valance panel and bumper brackets and then if the car has stripes, remove them, possibly (probably) repaint, apply new stripes and lower body paint.

Then you have a 72 with a 73 vin code that anyone looking at it that knows anything realizes it is not even close to original.

My fenders were reproductions, my bumper was shot, my grill was broken, my lower valence was wrong . . . I'm building a hybrid to suit me, but in many ways I wish I had just left it as it was cosmetically. Smart call to leave the exterior as it is.

 

[sm3570]

Thanks Steve. I don't think I want to create more work for myself. The car is a 73, and I think she will stay a 73. I was thinking of 71 type stripes but the 73 style is really starting to grow on me. I think the Grabber Lime with black interior and stripes is going to be the way to go. Chris

Well like a lot of guys say, it's your car build it how you want it, but I think it's a good call. The only thing that I really don't like about the 73's cosmetically is the front bumper because it sticks out so far. Other than that I like that they are different than the 71/72's.

 

[droptop73]

I have used the 71-2 rear bumper brackets along with the quarter extensions. The quarters have a little larger opening for the bumper than the 71-2 and there are holes that need to be filled where the rubber fillers bolted on. I plan to leave the 73 front bumper.

 

[bloodyjaws]

Thanks for the extra info Droptop. Since I'm going to put new quarter skins on it anyway, I could just use 71/72 skins and rear bumper with brackets, yes? The car has what could be a 71 style bumper on it now...it doesn't quite line up with the quarters, and I know it has been replaced by the current owner. The current owner also added the rear wing and rear louvers.

The 73 front bumper and grill are growing on me more and more each time I see it. I am going to keep the front end as Ford intended, I'm just going to clean up the rear some. Even the original stripes are really starting to look good.

I'm paying a little more then I want to for the car, but if you take into account the new hood ($400), rear wing ($130 or so), louvers ($300) etc, it really isn't too much money. While the grill is gone, the front bumper is almost perfect. Oh well, I'm kinda rambling......sorry.

Chris

 

[Harbernjero]

Hi Chris,

I put a `71-´72 bumper on my `73.It needs a litte modification to the brackets but `73 fenders will fit.

Claus