Help! OEM front bumper for 96???

[So Bay Vetter]

Some ditz on her cell phone put her trailer hitch thru the nose of my pristine 96 C/E.. Both the high end body shop and I have tried to find an OEM urithane front bumper I've checked GM, Corvette Central and Mid America, and several Vette shops here in So. Cal. It appears OEM's are no longer made and hard to come by. I'd really like to avoid a reconditioned one and I'm told the after market urethane is a bad fit. Does anyone have a lead on OEM???? Thanks guys.

 

[B17Crew]

Sorry to hear of the damage to your CE.

I just called a Chevy dealer here in central Ohio that has a large Corvette customer base. They have a ’96 OEM front bumper that is currently being shipped to them. It was ordered on July 2nd. I asked the parts guy the list price, it will be $538.12. If you call them anyone in the parts department should be able to help you. I was told it is currently not reserved, they try to keep at least one in their inventory.

Here’s the contact info.

Bob McDorman Chevrolet
5885 Gender Road And Route 33
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
phone: 614-837-3421 (ask for the parts department)

http://www.bobmcdormanchevrolet.com

B17Crew

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Thank you so much B17! I gave a copy of your post to my body guy (he's been looking all week confused ) I think the owner's gonna take over at his point. Thanks again! cool

 

[B17Crew]

You’re welcome, So Bay Vetter, I hope everything works out with your repair!

B17Crew

 

[svoch]

happy for you!!

Vetter good luck with your repairs on your c/e. You must have been sick when your beauty got hit.

B17 nice find on the part !!

 

[B17Crew]

B17 nice find on the part !!

Thanks, svoch. I hope his repair turns out as good as new!

B17Crew

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Sorry to hear of the damage to your CE.

I just called a Chevy dealer here in central Ohio that has a large Corvette customer base. They have a ’96 OEM front bumper that is currently being shipped to them. It was ordered on July 2nd. I asked the parts guy the list price, it will be $538.12. If you call them anyone in the parts department should be able to help you. I was told it is currently not reserved, they try to keep at least one in their inventory.

It appears that while the bumper shows on their inventory list, it could not be found in stock (sigh . . .) looks like I'm back to square one!

 

[B17Crew]

It appears that while the bumper shows on their inventory list, it could not be found in stock (sigh . . .) looks like I'm back to square one!

Sorry to hear about that So Bay.

Is the part still en-route? Do they have any options for you, can they call you when it arrives?

B17Crew

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Sorry to hear about that So Bay.

Is the part still en-route? Do they have any options for you, can they call you when it arrives?

It appears the standard answer (everywhere) is the cover is "back ordered" and will be shipped when it comes in. Which seems to be a nice way of saying "their not available we don't know when we'll actually get one". The body shop, to their credit and my dismay picked up a reconditioned one from J&D Corvette but said they didn't think they could give me the fit I was looking for ( "you Corvette guys want everything f-ing perfect" - their words). They're going to put my car back together (damaged nose & all) and I guess I'll take it to a Vette shop that will make it look f-ing perfect.ad

 

[B17Crew]

It appears the standard answer (everywhere) is the cover is "back ordered" and will be shipped when it comes in. Which seems to be a nice way of saying "their not available we don't know when we'll actually get one". The body shop, to their credit and my dismay picked up a reconditioned one from J&D Corvette but said they didn't think they could give me the fit I was looking for ( "you Corvette guys want everything f-ing perfect" - their words). They're going to put my car back together (damaged nose & all) and I guess I'll take it to a Vette shop that will make it look f-ing perfect.ad

OUCH! That’s pretty bad... and yes, us Corvette owners DO want things perfect.

It may be a matter of talking to local Corvette club members to find that “perfect” shop or individual that has the resources/connections. I’d even go as far as to talk to a Corvette only restoration shop and see if they can point you in the right direction -- or if they may even take on the job. I’ve heard nothing but good comments about a local Corvette restoration shop here in central Columbus, they are small, but I’ve seen their work and if I ever was in need of a body repair, I’d steer clear of the dealer and go to the guys that are Corvette specialist.

Please keep us posted!

B17Crew

 

[B17Crew]

To double-check:
I just got off the phone with another local Chevy dealer. I asked them to see if any bumpers were in stock. They would have to order the bumper, they are currently on back order as you already know. The parts person did tell me that if your VIN is supplied with an order, it can help expedite the process once the bumpers are delivered to GM’s warehouse. He also suggested to work with a local Chevy dealer in CA because they would have to charge for shipping and it would be expensive. You could acquire the same part and avoid shipping charges from Ohio that way.

There’s a pristine bumper for your car out there somewhere!

B17Crew

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Thanks for the input B17, Yes, It's going to a good Vette shop in Bellflower, (J&D) where I should have taken it in the first place but for the distance. To add insult to injury, the twit that hit me isn't admitting fault (so far) which means I have to pay a $500.00 deductable as well.:bash

 

[B17Crew]

Thanks for the input B17, Yes, It's going to a good Vette shop in Bellflower, (J&D) where I should have taken it in the first place but for the distance. To add insult to injury, the twit that hit me isn't admitting fault (so far) which means I have to pay a $500.00 deductable as well.:bash

Hang in there. It’s never a painless process having a vehicle repaired after an accident, even when your not at fault, there’s always an expense in time from your day and money from your pocket.

I hope it all works out for you so that your CE is as good as new.

B17Crew