Wooden G-car bumpers?

[jimmybondi 4]

Somebody mentioned to me that Lotus has used (Ply)wood inside the non-rubber bumpers of the G-cars

And that I should check wether the wood has rotten.

As I backed into a low post some time ago I took the rear bumper off last night, but I cannot check the inner structure as it is also laminated from the inside.

Will I find wood if I open up the bumper ?

[wolf 0]

Somebody mentioned to me that Lotus has used (Ply)wood inside the non-rubber bumpers of the G-cars

And that I should check wether the wood has rotten.

As I backed into a low post some time ago I took the rear bumper off last night, but I cannot check the inner structure as it is also laminated from the inside.

Will I find wood if I open up the bumper ?

Hello jimmybondi,

I didn't find any plywood in the bumpers of my S1 but there was rotten plywood in the pop up lights.

Now I am using aluminium-sheets instead of the plywood.

[markt 70]

Quite right Jimmy

Found a few pics on Andy Hills website to show you...

Here you can see exactly what happened - looks like Andy glassed in an aluminium sheet to replace it.

Cheers - Mark

[jimmybondi 4]

Thanks.

As Andy's car is a '81 I am pretty sure that there's no wood in my bumpers. there is a GF plate laminated instead of wood. This does not help with my repair though. I thought I could glass the damaged section from the inside of the bumper.

[WayneB 2]

Jimmy, I found plywood in the replacement fibreglass front bumper I fitted on to my car last year (I got fed up of the warped foam Federal one).

As it was a used one (from Nick Warren), the plywood was somewhat rotton! (mega understatement)

I ended up cutting a new piece of 1/4 inch thick exterior plywood and glassing it to the existing outer. (as per original spec.)

It should last another 20 years at least!

[jimmybondi 4]

I was wrong! I got plywood, too. It was painted, so does not look like wood on the first sight... But in a quite fair condition.

Shall I thrash it, shall I keep it??

[dodgy 26]

jimmi, if it aint rotton, it don't need replacing, just treat it with a good wood preserver and re-fit.

if its rotten in the slightest, replace it 'while you have it off the car'

ooooh sorry, posting while drinking again................ dam its 3am

bed time

[slade 1]

At Lotus PBC today, I was VERY tempted by the replacement paintable fiberglass S1 bumpers they have...

(but think of how many "my car has wood" jokes that will forfiet. Actually I don't think the federal rubber bumpers have wood at all anyway, so)

[AJay 1]

The front fiberglass bumper definately has wood!

Here are some pics of one that i am restoring.

Ok i can only post the one (computers, i think i'm to old for them)

[jimmybondi 4]

I would recommend you all to check your bumbers !

If the plywood has not rotten over the years, the nuts and bolts definitely are!

There is nothing more humiliating than bumpers that are falling of...

What kind of material should I use to replace the plywood? Wood planks or MDF - which one is more resistant?

Edited November 27, 2006 by jimmybondi

[USAndretti42 311]

I would use marine-grade plywood. MDF is heavy and has little strength in tension so will break at the slightest knock. Plywood is much stronger. Should last years.