Question: Euro or US bumper overriders

[69Bimmer02]

Looking for thoughts or opinions on Euro versus US bumper overriders.

[BarneyT]

Second picture to me looks like a 72,  73s have a pointy face...my two favorite looks...

[1936spyder]

Either the Euros or the '73 specific over-riders as their silhouette echoes the cars' silhouette. The US overriders found on the three or so years prior (2nd photo) are just horribly awkward looking and do nothing for the car aesthetically.

[Conserv]

I believe the small Euro bumperettes, as in the first photo, were used up until April 1971 (introduction of the Modell 71). Then Euro-spec cars adopted the larger, pointy bumperettes, which were used through the end of ‘02 production.

 

U.S.-spec cars used the early Euro bumperettes during 1966 and early 1967, switching to the larger and taller U.S.-only bumperettes, in your second photo, until the end of the 1972 model year (August 1972). U.S.-spec cars adopted the pointy, “late-Euro“ bumperettes for the 1973 model year, but bumperettes disappeared on U.S.-spec cars with the advent of the square taillight.
 

I’d vote for the U.S.-spec bumperettes on your ‘69, @69Bimmer02. Why? Because it has the other U.S.-spec attributes, such as sidemarker lights and reflectors.
 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 2020 by Conserv

[AceAndrew]

I prefer the US overriders.  Note that the were "optional" on euro cars as well.  I think the taller overriders add some much needed subtle vertical lines to the design.

 

0.02

[69Bimmer02]

Thanks guys, appreciate the opinions.  The US overriders actually fit better as you can see.  Not sure why but the Euro's just don't hug the bumper for some reason.  Maybe the bumper has a slightly different form on this early model.

[FunElan]

I just went from US to euro. The euro ones should fit nice and tight, I'm wondering if yours are installed on the wrong sides?

[golf73]

Which ones are you yourself, leaning towards? Do you care more about appearance or originality, both or neither? It's your car, do what makes you happy. However, I'd just keep whatever was on the car originally if you're malleable and need another opinion.

[Oldtimerfahrer]

I agree with AceAndrew, I have a euro-spec 71 car, which came with the vertical style overriders. I was living in Germany at the time, the car was always in Germany so I suspect these larger overriders were also available in Europe...Not definitive evidence of course.

Andrew

[Conserv]

3 hours ago, Oldtimerfahrer said:

I agree with AceAndrew, I have a euro-spec 71 car, which came with the vertical style overriders. I was living in Germany at the time, the car was always in Germany so I suspect these larger overriders were also available in Europe...Not definitive evidence of course.

Andrew

And I agree with both Andrew’s. I just think that the super-sized overriders were a rarely-requested option outside the U.S.!

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

[John_in_VA]

Smaller pointy overriders are so much more aesthetically pleasing, to my eye (says the guy with the original big US bumpers on his '74 tii!).

[Conserv]

Based on the number of ‘02’s today with no front bumpers whatsoever, I’m guessing that most ‘02’s are no longer parallel parked, obviating the need for true “overriders” for those owners who choose to retain bumpers — for whatever reason.

 

As a past victim, time and time again, of The Bumper Wars of the 1970’s, however, I just want to point out that the standard, early Euro-spec bumperette, as shown in @69Bimmer02’s first photo, is truly a bumperette. If called upon to serve as an overrider (more accurately, “preventer of overriding”), or “underrider”, it will fail miserably, as it’s height dimension is not much greater than the bumper itself.

 

In my best Clint Eastwood, which is none too good, “Think about it, punk:”

 

1.) Do you ever parallel park your ‘02? And if the answer is, “Yes”,

 

2.) How much are your front grilles and hood worth to you?

 

BOOM! ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[John76]

1970 was the beginning of the government, insurance company and the auto manufactures' push to reduce the cost of minor collisions.

The US auto makers agreed to match bumper heights as much as possible...20" from the ground for the front bumpers!

Imports were required to conform, hence the taller bumper over-rides and shock tower spacers. Structural  strength and energy absorbing

gimmicks were also mandated....just compare the changes from our '68 cars to the "diving boards" on our "74 -'76's.

[Oldtimerfahrer]

Well, contact parking used to be a sport...you could always make a little space and if you had a Land Rover, whose bumpers were more like angle irons, there was no harm in leaving it on the street. I was always fascinated by the pictures of the small cars 2cv/fiat 600 parked in Paris or Rome nearly on top of each other...dents everwhere, not a straight bumper in sight....I am now afraid to parallel park because people don't understand how fragile those bumper are. My next project is straightening some early E30 chrome bumpers...lots of luck.

Andrew

[coloincaalpine RIP 2021]

+1 FunElan,    In the first pic the bumperettes are on the wrong sides.  "The Marty Feldman Syndrome"