Custom bumpers.

[79cord]

Like most cars from the mid/late 1970's the Accord was blessed/cursed with substantial bumpers front and rear by the US 5mph bumper regulations of 1974, and even though Non-Nth.American market cars received slightly lighter & simpler bumpers they were still basically the same externally (apart from frt indicators), with substantial rubber strips and end-caps that give the car a more substantial & weighty image and undoutably help protect the bodywork but their dodgem car style is far from elegant.


So I have long been considering alternatives.

Obviously one option would be plastic bumpers from another model...If you could find some that could match properly to the body.

Another would be custom made bumper covers or end-caps that I considered too.


Then I started thinking about going the other way, bumperless, but though perhaps sporting that's hardly elegant either and would still require the fabrication of a fill-panel for the gaping holes left in the front of the car for its bumper....


But even without my own efforts, my cars bumpers have saved my cars ass & nose more times than I want to think about.



Going back to older ideas of chrome bumers as jewellery for the cars body I started to look at those from other cars that might look better.

I liked the look of contempory Mitsubishi Sigma/Galant chrome bumpers but still haven't seen a straight example of the base version (without loads more rubber & their mounting holes).


I bought a wrap-around 1984 BMW 5-series rear bumper that follows the theme of the 1980-81 Accord bumpers but with more chrome and looks a litle more delicate. It is also large enough and comes apart so that it could easily be trimmed down to fit either end of the Accord fairly well. And since (unlike Hondas) people don't tend to think of them as cheap transport, good rear bumpers are relatively common.


But having a '79 Accord with the early style small bumper-ends & no rubber side trims after the originals rusted out (!) I'm used to a cleaner look & seeing a bit more body. I also think the '70/4 Honda Z 360/600 best conveys the theme of what early Accord bumpers might have looked like if the US regulations had never existed and fashions not moved toward substantial bumpers instead of delicate 'european' styles.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nagarazoku/10462122/

Last week I bought a '76 Holden/Isuzu Gemini bumper (same shape frt & rear) which has no rubber trims and a central peak which perfectly matches that of the Accords grille but unfortunately is about 2" too narrow (I use inches when I want to be vauge) for the car & also has a peak at the rear center (unlike the Accord), and I'd still have to make a fill panel behind the front bumper..
Not sure how I'll go trying to get another but does anyone else think it looks good & agree I should continue with it. Trying to widen it & get another to straighten/widen for the rear ? (Ironically for '80 the Gemini had heavier styling & bumpers just like the Accord.)



Any other ideas?

[Ichiban]

I had toyed with the idea of using a bumper like the light duty chrome one offered on certain 1980 GMC/Chevy fullsize pickups. They are less cluttered looking than the Accord ones, but unfortunately are about 2 feet too wide.

[vipspiffy]

I too have been wanting different chrome bumpers. I don't like the plastic side pieces, looking for a full chrome one. But haven't found any in good condition at the junkyard, not to mention correct dimensions.

Do you have pics of the Holden/Isuzu bumper on the Accord? If you find a perfect set, i would be interested in knowing what car you got it off from.

[knarg]

i like that old bmw

[Hazwan]

Holy shit thats hot!

I found these pics from my computer, which I have no idea where I got them from:

[2ndGenGuy]

I dig the 1g Accord with no rear bumper! That is sweet!

I think what I'd do up front though is do what the VW guys do here in the US on the old Rabbits and Jettas... Gut the mounts where the bumpers fit into the frame and push the bumpers back against the body. It won't be at all effective in a crash, but they're only 5mph bumpers anyways. If you get hit, you're screwed regardless.

You guys in the non-US market still have less bumper than we do, plus you have the nicer integrated lights. I'd love to have a Euro/Japanese bumper for the front of my 1g. Plus the pre-80 bumper side pieces are nice and short, and I think they look pretty good. Look how huge the bumpers are on my car compared to yours. I'd say they literally stick out about 9 inches...



And where did you find that sketch of the Accord? That is pretty badass looking! I think that's one of the best ideas I've seen yet!

[lostforawhile]

has anyone thought about making a simple tubular bumper? make on for the back that has brackets that attach to the body,then chrome it. i'll bet it will protect the back better then the stock one. and it's pretty simple to make. the minimalistic looking bumper would make the back look cool.

[79cord]

Just an old concept dwg for my Accord. I could do better.

83-87 E30 BMW bumpers also considered & not far off fitting in either chrome or plastic versions but they get more love so aren't as easy to find as 5-series. & I think I could fit smaller rubber strips to either (or use tape to cover holes).
But it looks like the US got uglier bumpers for them too.


Narrowing bumpers doesn't frighten me since most wrap-around bumpers were made in 3-pieces anyway, often with over-riders hiding the joint.

Widening a bit more difficult... & the Gemini's are welded togeather, but possibly small enough width needed to allow small strips of stainless to cover the joint (as the BMW did).

Gemini is a relative of the Opel Kadett & Chevette & was even later sold in the US as a Buick... with ugly bumpers of course.

US Fiat 124 spider had interesting tubular steel bumpers.

[2ndGenGuy]

Dude that is one hell of a concept sketch! That's super badass! Wish I had talent to sketch out my ideas. Kinda Chip Foose style. Draw out your ideas exactly as you see them in your head to see how it would look... that's kickass.

[Hazwan]

Dude that is one hell of a concept sketch! That's super badass! Wish I had talent to sketch out my ideas. Kinda Chip Foose style. Draw out your ideas exactly as you see them in your head to see how it would look... that's kickass.

Me too! I hate my drawings. They always came out funny.

[79cord]

I double checked... N.American bumpers aren't as much bigger as you think: 10mm extra at each end between Canadian (with reinforced bumpers) and General export models according to the '79 W/shop manual !

I also started wondering if the newer & hyper-expensive chrome paints (Approx. US. $100 aerosol can) might be getting good enough for a respectable satin chrome finish on custom fiberglass bumper endcaps (that might be made to fit a bit better with the bumper).

Though I think I'd prefer the clean completely rubberless look of some alternative bumpers.

Will try & take (or mock up) photos with the bumpers I have over the weekend.

[lostforawhile]

I double checked... N.American bumpers aren't as much bigger as you think: 10mm extra at each end between Canadian (with reinforced bumpers) and General export models according to the '79 W/shop manual !

I also started wondering if the newer & hyper-expensive chrome paints (Approx. US. $100 aerosol can) might be getting good enough for a respectable satin chrome finish on custom fiberglass bumper endcaps (that might be made to fit a bit better with the bumper).

Though I think I'd prefer the clean completely rubberless look of some alternative bumpers.

Will try & take (or mock up) photos with the weekend.

you know eastwood sells a powdercoat finish that looks very close to chrome. if you bought the powder it could be done by any powdercoater. it'sa hotcoat brand too so it's good stuff.

[79cord]

That Polish burgundy Accord you found does look great Hazwan, sorry I didn't find the picture earlier.
With those crazy over big & wide wheels he NEEDS some rear discs to show off.

I suspect his front bumper is also a 83-7 BMW 5 series (euro spec) front bumper minus its rubber trim (with chrome tape covering mtg holes?), and cut down the middle to remove its prominent central peak.


Love its stance, can't say the same for his mirrors
Note aerial location & headlight washers

Rear panel is so floppy I don't think I'd dare use filler on it to that extent though... I have considered cutting the middle out "diffuser" style if I was to do anything with my rusty "shed" Accord. Boot floor leads upward to the rear higher and much more gradually than almost any other Honda.

& I found where it came from & more
http://www.classichonda.yum.pl/waszehondy.html
the note above it : "2.0 16V z Hondy Prelude II" particularly interesting..... B20 ??? surely you'd fit the brakes???

Who knows Polish?
Looks like an ES? engine swap in another car there. (frightening subframe hacking)

[2ndGenGuy]

That's an EW motor there. The carb'd ones aren't particularly powerful. Found in base model Civics and CRXs. God knows why you'd do a swap like that, the EK and EL made more power, and had gobs more torque.

[lostforawhile]

i still think a straight tube bumper,with brackets made to fir the original bumper mounting would look great,it would give that hatch a competition look. these old hondas were raced extensivly in other countries, so the look would be correct. have one made up or make it yourself,and have it chromed or use that chrome powdercoat. talking about this one,this is your car right? that car is screaming for a simple tube bumper.

[Hazwan]

The wheels are too big and while the rear bumperless look is sexy, that would suck in a minor accident.

That E28 rears would look perfect, just like your drawing.

[1GCustomAccord]

Ok,look at mines.. http://photobucket.com/collomps i made them because of lack of original ones or used in good shape here. The car is going to be finished in 6 months hopefully. The rear bumper is not made yet.

[79cord]

Looks like it will be a very wild creation, hope all goes well !
Custom moulded bumpers, skirts & wheel-arch extensions all round?

I'd noticed the Polish B20 Accord had a pair of mk1 VW Golf rear wheelarches welded on.

Must admit it's not really to my taste though -since I'm headed in the exact opposite direction;
I've now paid a little too much for a pair of Holden / Isuzu Gemini bumpers and have started trying to cut & grind away their construction spot welds to widen them.

Really tempted to mount discrete rear numperplate lighting on them too & remove Honda's big chrome lamps but the rear panel is embossed with mounting shapes & holes for them & I don't feel like cutting up & re-welding the rear panel to eliminate them.

The BMW E28 rear bumpers would look good too & are actually about the right length for the rear of a sedan but I wanted to stay with small bumpers, more chrome & less rubber.

Also found another pic of the earliest Civic chrome bumpers, although there's some question of whether they actually were delivered like that. Certainly not outside Japan or after the first year or two of production.

I've been distracing myself with a few retro Honda steering wheels I might try in the Accord soon just for fun.

[1GCustomAccord]

Looks like it will be a very wild creation, hope all goes well !
Custom moulded bumpers, skirts & wheel-arch extensions all round?

I'd noticed the Polish B20 Accord had a pair of mk1 VW Golf rear wheelarches welded on.

Must admit it's not really to my taste though -since I'm headed in the exact opposite direction;
I've now paid a little too much for a pair of Holden / Isuzu Gemini bumpers and have started trying to cut & grind away their construction spot welds to widen them.

Really tempted to mount discrete rear numperplate lighting on them too & remove Honda's big chrome lamps but the rear panel is embossed with mounting shapes & holes for them & I don't feel like cutting up & re-welding the rear panel to eliminate them.

The BMW E28 rear bumpers would look good too & are actually about the right length for the rear of a sedan but I wanted to stay with small bumpers, more chrome & less rubber.

Also found another pic of the earliest Civic chrome bumpers, although there's some question of whether they actually were delivered like that. Certainly not outside Japan or after the first year or two of production.

I've been distracing myself with a few retro Honda steering wheels I might try in the Accord soon just for fun.

Yeah, an all-around work will be performed,including something in the doors to make them ticker,that must be done because of the 15x205 wheels,to make everything look ok.
It looks like these Holden/Isuzu bumpers would look really tight in the Accord,i think that they´ll look sweet! Hope to see pictures soon!

[1GCustomAccord]

About the chrome license lights,the 79 ones are nice 4 me,i believe that the 80/81 ones are way too big.. if u want to eliminate them,u will have a lot of work making the holes and molds disappear..
The steering wheel of my Accord is from a 83 Prelude,they fit just perfect,and looks nice!

[2ndGenGuy]

^^^ Good work so far man. Looks like your project is coming along nicely. I woudln't wanna mess with your dog either!



^^^ That is exactly what we always hear about happening on those camshafts. Definitely a weak point in the engine to have that long shaft driving the oil pump, but that's off topic to this thread I suppose.

[1GCustomAccord]

^^^ Good work so far man. Looks like your project is coming along nicely. I woudln't wanna mess with your dog either!

^^^ That is exactly what we always hear about happening on those camshafts. Definitely a weak point in the engine to have that long shaft driving the oil pump, but that's off topic to this thread I suppose.

THANKSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am working hard to finish my accord before december. Lot of work still to be done .. and yeah,my dog Drago,he is a good guardian of my car hehehe.
About the camshaft,when that happent to my Accord i was thinking of installing an external oil pump (electrical) but i found a good cam later so my engine is healthy again .

PS:New head from an 1983 Quintet EL engine is about to be in my Accord very soon,reason?? HUGE valves (more power) .. Yeah,yeah..this is off topic too.

[79cord]

PS:New head from an 1983 Quintet EL engine is about to be in my Accord very soon,reason?? HUGE valves (more power) .. Yeah,yeah..this is off topic too.

Just to warn you that an '83 Quintet head is unlikely to fit on the earlier Accord block, the head-stud pattern having changed for '82.. along with swapping of the intake & exhaust valve locations & attendant intake/exhaust manifolds.

Still appreciating all the effort you've gone to matching your bumpers shapes to those of the bonnet.
In some ways it matches better than Honda's effort!

[2ndGenGuy]

Just to warn you that an '83 Quintet head is unlikely to fit on the earlier Accord block, the head-stud pattern having changed for '82.. along with swapping of the intake & exhaust valve locations & attendant intake/exhaust manifolds.

Still appreciating all the effort you've gone to matching your bumpers shapes to those of the bonnet.
In some ways it matches better than Honda's effort!

That's true. I found out the hard way, I had an '82-'83 cylinder head from an EL and found that they'd moved 3 of the head studs, it woudln't fit on my '81 block... You could get your current cylinder head machined though to fit those bigger valves, and then you'd see some similar power gains!

[1GCustomAccord]

Just to warn you that an '83 Quintet head is unlikely to fit on the earlier Accord block, the head-stud pattern having changed for '82.. along with swapping of the intake & exhaust valve locations & attendant intake/exhaust manifolds.

Well,i compared the head pattern and is the same as my Accord EL head/engine,but yes,the intake and exhaut manifold is different as well as the camshaft and carb,thats why i purchased the whole thing,head,intake & ehaust manifold,camshaft and carburetter to make everything fit just right. I´ll post the result of this swap soon.