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Mar 17, 2004 13:16:07 GMT
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I was looking around at cars on the way home trying to work out why I don't like many modern cars,.. and I've nailed it down to bumpers.
When did bumpers go from being the thinner type to the big fat ones we have now? I assume it somewhere in the life cycle of the Mk2 golf and Mk3 Escort.
Which were the last cars manufactured with the older thinner bumpers?
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Mar 17, 2004 13:20:00 GMT
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Year 2000 - Mini's were fitted with them right to the end of production.
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 I like long walks, especially when they're taken by people I don't like. |
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Mar 17, 2004 13:27:37 GMT
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That late??? Wonder why VW, Ford etc. started so much earlier,.. US/EU market??
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Big Bumpers!!?DarrenW
@darrenw
Club Retro Rides Member 74
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Mar 17, 2004 13:29:24 GMT
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Plastic bumpers came out in the late 70s... The Mk1 Golf and Mk3 Escort had them. I think the first car with fully integrated plastic bumpers may have been the Porsche 928?
I've got an issue of CAR somewhere from about 1983 with a feature on the increasing use of plastics in cars. I'll dig it out sometime... The Mk2 Golf MAY have been the first with a plastic fuel tank, not sure!
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Last Edit: Mar 17, 2004 13:30:56 GMT by DarrenW
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Mar 17, 2004 13:31:11 GMT
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Bingo, we have a winner!
Mini's for the US / Japanese market had to have the bumpers raised 6/7 inches to comply with safety standards. This is why MG had to converted their MGB's to big rubber bumpers in the mid-70's - all for the US market!
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I like long walks, especially when they're taken by people I don't like. |
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Mar 17, 2004 13:32:26 GMT
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The plastics not the problem,.. its the SIZE ,.. take the ml3 golf for example, the bumpers are HUGE,.. Now I'm sure this is to conform to some law in some market,.. but when did it start??
Have you noticed that body coloured bumpers or 2 colour bumpers try to make it appear much smaller than it is,.. its only when you look at the black plastic bumeprs on the base models do you see how big they are...
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Mar 18, 2004 11:51:33 GMT
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I'm still trying to find a good way to illustrate this ,.. Okay mk2 golf ,.. small blade-ish bumper Looking Good :  Big Bumper,.. looking less good.  Mk3 Big fat hefer of a bumper looking rubbish :  |
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Beemer02Perv
Part of things
1971 BMW 1602 ,2002 Ti Running gear
Posts: 49
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May 17, 2004 14:18:24 GMT
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I quite like big bumpered Mk 2 golfs....
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If you have to ask you wont understand........
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May 17, 2004 14:24:27 GMT
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I get the feeling you've been trawling through the depths of the board hehe  |
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May 17, 2004 14:25:21 GMT
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Yep, seen lots of posts today I haven't seen in a long while.........! |
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I like long walks, especially when they're taken by people I don't like. |
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SkoCan
Posted a lot
Quando omni flunkus, mortati
Posts: 1,916
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May 17, 2004 15:14:59 GMT
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Mid to late 70's North American market rules.
1. Bumpers had to fall between certain distance(s) from ground. Just to make some accidents "bumper to bumper". First step to larger bumpers for lower vehicles.
2. Minimum crash ratings. Any given bumper should have minimal damage with no damage to vehicle or passengers at (x) miles per hour. Easier to do with larger soft plastic and foam bumpers with the side benefit of lowering some of the weight
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May 17, 2004 21:48:50 GMT
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Whats wrong with big bumper Mk2 Golfs  ;D I was considering changing mine back to small ones though  |
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Beemer02Perv
Part of things
1971 BMW 1602 ,2002 Ti Running gear
Posts: 49
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May 18, 2004 13:45:56 GMT
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Porsche had to modify the 911 bumpers in 74 to meet US crash protection regulations and it looked a lot worse for it  Goddamn yanks!  |
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If you have to ask you wont understand........
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Bolf
Part of things
Posts: 507 
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i remember a period in the lateish 90's when people where retro fitting MK2 Big Bumpers to MK1 Golfs .
Makes me cringe looking back now.
BTW , If anyone has a set (or knows the whereabouts) of the original small bumpers for a Mk1 (the ones that end at the wing , not wrap around) gimme a shout. Chrome or black any condition.
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May 19, 2004 10:06:14 GMT
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Yeah, big bumpers are the fault of the Americans  For an really good example, check out the difference between the bumpers on a 240Z and then a 280Z (no, not a ZX a 280Z even though you can see the difference with the ZX as well)  240Z (note: thin nice bumper)  280Z (note: the big chunk of horrid!) |
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Last Edit: May 19, 2004 10:38:03 GMT by kyteler
Skyline: 1963 - 1973 - 1983
Sunny: 1982
450SLC: 1973
Navara: 1992
Gloria: 1992
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May 19, 2004 12:04:22 GMT
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May 19, 2004 14:12:21 GMT
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May 19, 2004 14:50:15 GMT
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I've been trying to find pictures of the changes that were made to Mini's for the US Market, but can't - maybe as a mini man Jim you could get hold of some.........?
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I like long walks, especially when they're taken by people I don't like. |
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May 19, 2004 15:43:26 GMT
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really horrible...  this one is canadian. i don't think the US got them because minis weren't imported from late 60's because of crash regulations - i believe. |
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May 19, 2004 17:38:42 GMT
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