Triumph Repair: Triumph Spitfire 1500 (1974), gt6 mkiii, triumph spitfire 1500

Question
I'm trying to find a rear bumper for a 1974 Spitfire 1500 that
was bent in an accident, but I just have no idea where to look for
one or if rear bumpers from other years would do.

Do you have any idea where I could locate a salvaged (or new)
bumper that will work?  None of the places I typically check for
auto parts have anything from that era of Triumph.

Answer
Wilt,

There are three distinct bumpers for the squaretail Spitfires (Mk IV/1500 1971 thru 1980).

The 1971-1974 bumpers have a single main chrome section witout overriders.  This bumper was also used on the GT6 MkIII, although the license plate lamp was different with different holes in the top of the bumper, so you'd need the complete bumper with correct license plate lamp.

The 1975 thru 1979 1/2 had essentially the earlier chrome bumper bar with over riders added and a large chrome  reinforcing section added between the over riders

The 1979.5-1980 cars had plastic bumper covers.

Having said that, any of the bumpers can be made to fit any year squaretail.. with minor mods at most.  

But the "best" look is the early squaretail look.  And it's quite a bit lighter.

Where to find a good bumper bar?  Some of the specialist parts vendors used to offer new bumpers... but I haven't sourced one lately so I don't know if they're still in production/cheap foreign reproduction.

There are used parts available if you search a bit.  Some of the vendors listed on the VTR website (www.vtr,org) have used parts available.  You might also check the classifieds on the VTR website, or at www.nasshq.org.


Cheers,

Jim