Whoops

[AJay]

Due to an error in judgement on my part, i now require a new front bumper (and a few other parts).

It has come to my attention that there are a least two types of front bumper. One made of fiberglass and one made of plastic.

Although my car is a 1984 turbo it has the plastic bumper. I know this is fitted as standard to the HC but does anyone know when it was first introduced.

The plastic bumper has a lip where it joins the body.

[slade]

ouch!!! Looks like your painted one is actually made of fiberglass, the black rubber one like the back of your car is the plastic one, apparenly made from a material the consistency of old boots.

US cars all got plastic bumpers. Someone must have replaced your front with a fiberglass bumper after a similar bump Good luck getting her done, sounds like your damage was minimal anyway

I almost wanted to tell you to get a plastic black one to match the back, as I like the contrast of the black bumper 99% of the time. But it really looks great with that silver one

Wasn't the fiberglass bumper introduced on the86 HCs? I don't think it was fitted to any cars before that.

slade

[AJay]

Thanks for the comments

Unfortunatly 80mph into the tyre wall does a bit more damage than just the bumper

The car had the silver front bumper when i bought it due to a silght bump that damaged the drivers side front wing. It is made of a material like old boots. The rear is fiberglass.

I like the contrast with the black at the rear but also like the silver in the front as blends in with the lines of the car better.

Edited May 7, 2006 by AJay

[slade]

ow... did the front hatch fly off on its own or have you removed it for repairs?

So your bumper is the painted plastic at the front? Looks decent that way... a lot of the plastic bumpers warp over time and don't look good painted. (especially in California...)

slade

[WayneB]

The bumper on the US federal Esprits is quite different fron the UK/ROW ones.

The Federal is urethane foam filled with a thin flexible urethane skin. They are also held on with 4 extra bolts (visible on each end of the bumper where it wraps around the body) It is also cut back around the waistband finisher which continues around the front of the car.

The UK/ROW cars came with fibreglass bumpers (with plywood re-enforcement) till about 1982 (with the Clubman turn signals) They then switched to Sherpa van signals and the thicker(but hollow Urethane type) which extends up the nose further than the earlier one which finished at the body parting line.

Have you tried Nick Warren to see if he has a used bumper? I replaced my warped Federal one for an early fibreglass one I got from him (I had to modify the turn signal apatures for the different lights)

[Kimbers]

The bumper on the US federal Esprits is quite different fron the UK/ROW ones.

The Federal is urethane foam filled with a thin flexible urethane skin. They are also held on with 4 extra bolts (visible on each end of the bumper where it wraps around the body) It is also cut back around the waistband finisher which continues around the front of the car.

The UK/ROW cars came with  fibreglass bumpers (with plywood re-enforcement) till about 1982 (with the Clubman turn signals) They then switched to Sherpa van signals and the thicker(but hollow Urethane type) which extends up the nose further than the earlier one which finished at the body parting line.

Have you tried Nick Warren to see if he has a used bumper? I replaced my warped Federal one for an early fibreglass one I got from him (I had to modify the turn signal apatures for the different lights)

How do you know this stuff. Even I didn't know that they had plywood reinforcement........what am I saying even I, like I know the technical stuff

[slade]

Whoa... so there are basically 3 different sorts of bumpers. US spec, and UK urethane/fiberglass? Thought they basically just came in US (rubber err... urethane ) and UK (painted). Our cars may be as different as S cars and G cars are far apart if I hear any more of these wierd quirks

slade

[WayneB]

I get all this info from all over the place, but mostly from Ti*g*n

Slade, did you know that our federal version cars were called S4 (by Lotus) and are quite different from their UK cousins in a fair number of areas.

Its all Tony Kimberleys dads fault !

[gpz900r]

where is teigan? Sorry about the car dude that look really bad, never mind at least you didnt get hurt! Fate plays its hand in many a strange way,

[dazmans3]

Hi Andy

Sorry to hear about your little accident. Hope you are Ok?

If it helps, I think my front bumper is Fiberglass & she's a 85 turbo with the suspension & brake upgrade. Almost a 'G' car HC turbo.( I wish).

Hope you get sorted I will keep my ear to the ground for you

Daz

[AJay]

Thanks for the kind words.

The front hatch got ripped off!! it's not too bad.

I am ok thanks Daz thanks for the concern. Was it you that bought the HC motor?

I was having a great day, it is the risk you take at goodwod, no run off area, but if you don,t come off you ain't trying.

The car was going realy well and running with an SE and S4 down the back straight, so really pleased with engine mods.

A lot of work a head and thanks all for the bumper info, I have a fibreglass bumper coming and I will see how it works before deciding.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

MATE!!!!

OMFG I'm gutted for you!

Having been in almost that exact same poition I seriously feel for you!

If there's anything I can do to help at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Luckily it doesn't look too bad in that pic. Is the damage only to the front corner or is there any more?

Has the body itself taken a hit?

PS... interestingly, my bonnet flew up and off, before my eyes when I hit the crash barrier in '04

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Sorry to hear about that AJay.

Do not hold me to this but I may have sourced you a front bumper and a Lower Valance, the guy is getting back to me with what else he might have.

[dazmans3]

Thanks for the kind words.

The front hatch got ripped off!! it's not too bad.

I am ok thanks Daz thanks for the concern. Was it you that bought the HC motor?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Andy

Glad your OK, Yes it was me who bought the HC engine. Due to my possible Cylinder head gasket problem & I always fancied the HC version of the G car. I might put something on the Forum for ideas, thoughts advice on how to make fit ect.

You might want to try Mike Taylor of Lotus Bits, unless you ve already been there.

Daz

[john_ormston]

If its any help.. My 1984 turbo has the fibreglass type bumper in black...

doesn't help you source one, but may help you track down when they changed over..

John

[AJay]

Sorry to hear about that AJay.

Do not hold me to this but I may have sourced you a front bumper and a  Lower Valance, the guy is getting back to me with what else he might have.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have a fiberglass bumper comming, but if it is a plastic one i would be interested.

I think the lower valance is ok, i am getting up in the air on saturday to check every thing before i get quotes.

There are stress cracks along the top of both wheel arches and near side inner arch and the boot floor has split in a couple of places.

It drives straight and stops straight so i dont think there is any chassis damage, but will get the geometry checked out.

Looks like its going to be a long Lotus less Summer

[psteinb]

1. My 1980 Turbo Esprit has a black front bumper - would it be fibreglass ?

2. I have accidentally chipped the front right corner - about 20mm diameter - any suggestions on how to fix it?

Paul

[molemot]

Yup, that's fibreglass...grind out any cracks, fill with polyester filler, build up to correct contour (it's sculpture, really) then flat it all off and spray it ..looks like it's satin black. You'll have to spray the whole bumper to avoid obvious demarcation between different paints..best to take it off the car to do it,saves a lot of grovelling and masking. Should be able to get a perfect result, with a bit of effort. Fun, isn't it?!!

[psteinb]

Thanks for your help John.

"Fun, isn't it"?

"And loving it!"

Paul

[mfranke]

Guys

so I have a cracked rear bumper on a 1986 US bumper too. It feels like plastic with a not smooth surface. It has a slight texture to it. Is it better to try to get a old salvaged one or a new one from Lotus?

Thanks

Mark Franke