Goodbye Bumper

[enigmas]

It's been a bit quiet here of late so I've decided to post this item a bit earlier than I had originally planned.
My car is slightly modified but this is not really too apparent from its outward appearance.

I've been meaning to repair the fire damage that occurred several years ago but as I was using it virtually every day I couldn't dismantle too much as it needed to be usable.
But hey, the universe intervened, so I bit the bullet and started some repair work. During the course of repairing the burnt paint I thought well, why not discard the front bumper...that really is a heavy piece of iron...for a different look. So this is where it went.

Some background info.
When I first modified my Mk3 I fitted a P76 engine and also an air conditioning unit. Not wanting to move all the drive train rearwards I needed to fit the A/C condensor in front of the radiator. As I didn't want to reduce airflow through the radiator I mounted it in front but lower down. There's also the original Mk3 trans cooler sitting behind these items and I didn't want to compromise cooling to this unit either. So I built a cover/air flow panel onto the front bottom centre panel. This was never visible as it sat behind the front bumper. But now that the bumper is gone it's quite prominent. Given this I decided to integrate it a bit better by modifying it to take a slimline number plate (372mm X 100mm) which will be black with white letters & numbers.
I've also added driving lights, fog lights and changed the headlights to Lucas tripods. The most difficult part was making the brackets for the driving lights (French Ducelliers) which needed to position both lights in the same relative position either side. These cars aren't as symmetrical as you'd like to believe.

Here are a few pix of the work in progress.


Note: The A/C condensor is not as low as it looks.


I added the number plate recess to this panel. The 'air' intakes are really just for the twin horns.



* All lights and the panel are now in place. The new slimline number plate should arrive in approx 8 days. More pix tomorrow.

[Kev]

Radical....Brilliant, can't wait for the finished pics,
Good work that man...do like a mod or 2

Big Kev.

[enigmas]

Here's a few more pix of the front almost finished...still missing the new front slimline number plate.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Nice work Vince you can't have too many Tesco Supermarkets in your area we need bumpers for the bumpers over here

[enigmas]

Thanks John. We have the same issues here...I'll just try and keep my distance.
Interestingly bumpers seem to be something of the past with cars traditionally like our classics. Modern vehicles have also dispensed with them. If you recall there was a time (1970's - 80's) when manufacturers needed to make vehicles that would withstand low speed collisions and bumpers were designed with recoil springs and the like. We then truly had some ugly cars (Volvos and MGBs of the period to cite 2 examples)

I'm just going to try and be careful with the Rover but I can still fabricate a 'nudge' bar if required.

[Pete Collins]

Sept 22, 2012 7:28:29 GMT enigmas said:

I'm just going to try and be careful with the Rover but I can still fabricate a 'nudge' bar if required.

I would have thought you would have called it a Roo bar

[cyf]

Nice work enigmas, as I already said I really like the shape of the car without the bumpers

[Dean Hovland]

Looks really nice .
Which car did you get your a/c unit from , any pics please ?

Dean

[mcgill]

couldnt you have got away with a p6b valance ?

[enigmas]

Deanhovland, the aircon unit is an aftermarket 'Unicla' system that was in a Ford Econovan (Mazda E1600) that I owned during the 1980's. I removed it from the van just before I sold it and fitted it to the Rover when I was first rebuilding it many years ago.



McGill, what would be the point behind fitting a P6 valance? Modifying the original unit wasn't that difficult...just time consuming. The current modification is both functional and has the added benefit of allowing the front bumper assembly to fit directly over it (as was the case for years) if I ever changed my mind.
What you don't see in the photo above, is that a slimline number plate fits into the recessed centre section. I wanted to integrate the placement/fit of the plate and not just screw it on top of the assembly. The recessed area (approx 1") can be seen in the second photo with the 'valance' in blue primer.

[mcgill]

Oct 1, 2012 23:00:17 GMT enigmas said:

McGill, what would be the point behind fitting a P6 valance? Modifying the original unit wasn't that difficult...just time consuming. The current modification is both functional and has the added benefit of allowing the front bumper assembly to fit directly over it (as was the case for years) if I ever changed my mind.
What you don't see in the photo above, is that a slimline number plate fits into the recessed centre section. I wanted to integrate the placement/fit of the plate and not just screw it on top of the assembly. The recessed area (approx 1") can be seen in the second photo with the 'valance' in blue primer.

Posts and messages can always be taken the wrong way....so dont take this the wrong way ,only my point of view anyway........
The coupe looks lovely with no bumpers,but you took a curvy car and stuck straight lines and sharp corners on it,rather like taking Serena Kozakura,(note aussie reference and putting two cardboard boxes where her k***kers are.I thought the v8p6 valance would blend in better.
Your right about these cars not being symetrical,the left is lower than the right.
Also your p700s,are they genuine lucas? I have the repros and theyre okay in the daytime,at night theyre great from where i sit behind the steering wheel but if your comming towards me,im blinding you,infact they blind you less if i switch to main beam..I bought expensive repros,i was mugged.Did a search on the subject after first night out in dark,found its so so common...I just use the rangey at night, cos the p700s do look nice......Must get a real pair

[enigmas]

Point taken McGill, I wasn't upset... just wondered why you would want to graft a P6 valance on. I don't mind the contrast.



Is this what you prefer. ~ Vince

[mcgill]

Oct 2, 2012 9:51:37 GMT enigmas said:

Point taken McGill, I wasn't upset... just wondered why you would want to graft a P6 valance on. I don't mind the contrast.



Is this what you prefer. ~ Vince

Vince,i think Rover missed a trick there,i weally really like it.with no bumper.
.I cannot believe you pulled all your hard work off that lovely motor,just to fit that p6 3500 valance for me to compare .....what a gent.!!!!
How you getting on with them p700s? real /repros?
Glad you took my comments as they were meant...

[Deleted]

Looks great Vince. Congrats! How does it look in profile now that it's finished?
...and what are you doing down there with an imported classic Dutch number plate?

[frans1950]

The Rover with this plate is from 30-07-1971, it is registered in Holland since: 11-02-1998 and has its last owner since: 19-07-2002. When I understand it good stays it in Austria?

[cyf]

I guess it's a photomontage and the result is stunning!

[enigmas]

Settle down boys it's just a photoshop exercise...hence the Austrian numberplate...but it does put me in 2 minds! ~ Vince

[petervdvelde]

Nice work Vince! It looks superb. Also nice photoshop work.
Peter

[Dean Hovland]

How did you fit the compressor ?
Looks good in the cockpit .

Dean

[enigmas]

Dean, my car is a modified Mk3 not a P5B. The engine is a P76 V8 (Aussie version of the Rover unit but 4.4 litre) and was made to sit lower. The compressor sits down to the right front of the engine if in the driver's seat (RHD) I'll post a pic later if your still interested? The alternator is on the left.

[Deleted]

Enigma solved?!

[enigmas]

Very funny Peter. ;D

[Dean Hovland]

Yes please to a picture.

Ive some thoughts on changing my existing heater assemble to a heater that works and has air con .

Dean