Triumph Repair: Bumpers 1980 spitfire, chrome bumpers, rubber bumpers

Question
Jim,

You have answered questions on my 1980 spit before and have been a great help...thanks.  I have a quick question concerning the front and back rubber bumpers on my spitfire.  Mine look OK but could really use replacing.  I haven't found anyone that sells the covers.  Do you know anyone that does?  Is it because this may have been the only year used, so there is no big demand?  I thought about converting to one of the earlier chrome bumper combinations but I would like to keep it original.  Would it hurt value if changed?

Thanks again,

Dan

Answer
Dan,

You're right, the rubber bumpers are tough to find as they were only used for the last year or so of production.  You might be able to find a set from a parts car, if you hunt around a bit.  Leaving a "parts wanted" classified on the Vintage Triumph Register (www.VTR.org) website might work.  I  had a set lined up for someone else, I can check to see if they're still available.

Most people prefer the look of the chrome bumpers.  There are a couple of ways to do it.  You can retrofit to the latest set of chrome bumpers (rear bumper has an additional beefed up center section) and claim your car "came that way" ;)  Or go to the early bumpers from a Mk IV and drop an extra 10 or 15 pounds.

I recommend hanging on to any parts you do remove so if/when you decide to sell the car you can offer them to the new owner.

Cheers,

Jim