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Hello, we're getting close to finishing the bodywork on a 1952 coupe restoration and hitting a few snags with the export-style rear bumper.

Would anyone know what type of brackets should go in this type of rear bumper? I have bought brackets and bracket sets that are for '52-'59 models but the brackets seem to be too big to fit in the bumper. Some parts suppliers list parts appropriate for '52-'59 cars, and also '50-'52. Could it be that these bumpers are an earlier, skinnier type? Car is October 1952 manufacture.

Can anyone identify what kind of bumper this is? It's in such bad shape I'd like to buy a replacement but hard to do without being able to properly identify it. We believe it to be original to the car as it has the same markings as the rear bodywork on the car.

Any help much appreciated
Scott

Hi Scott,

Your car is from mid-1952 and if this bumper is original to you car, seems to have had the standard bumpers from that period. Sometimes these are called "body bumpers" to distinguish them from the larger export bumpers used on all the Hoffman cars from mid-1952 to Oct 1952.

These bumpers would have had an aluminum strip with rubber moulding in it. The moulding has the same profile as the 1953-59 version but is longer.

See photo below of 11702 with these type bumpers. It mounts under the bodywork.

Reinhold Plank would be the person to contact to get info about mounting brackets or repair/replacement bumpers.

Here's photos of the front and rear mounting brackets for these bumpers.

There's also tabs that hang down and attach to the sides near the wheel arches.

Thanks James the car is an interim bumper car delivered to Hoffman’s I believe in October ‘52 (will check that when I get home). The bumper I pictured may then not be the original one if it’s a body bumper type. I had a couple of rear bumpers, one the above and another one here that is wider and shorter which seems to me to be a later type. The front bumper is definitely an interim type, I’ve attached a pic here of the mounting brackets coming through the little skirt that went on the bodies in absence of a body bumper.

And the later bumper shot

maybe upgrade to ugly export bumpers? What is your vin? Mine is September 52 and has A bumpers, but it's a Type USA.

Ha yes I prefer the body bumper look but the car came with export bumpers so thought it best to stay original.

these are very early interim bumpers. one of the earliest with the valence attached to the bumper and not the body. You may be missing a couple of mounting brackets on yours?

here is mine, September 52. It was a vague time

Beautiful car Jules. Those bumpers look like the slightly shorter, later type. I’m guessing mine got the interims as it’s a little earlier - just looked it up and it’s a 20/6/1952 production date - and it was delivered to Hoffman’s in NY.

Jules yes, I’m now looking for a replacement export bumper for the rear. The front was salvageable. Did you buy those from anywhere or were they with the car?

I have them as wall decoration... or just something to chat about over a few beers. They came off a very early cab.

Scott, yeah a July 1952 Hoffman car would have had export bumpers. You can verify that yours had export bumpers (if not listed on the Kardex) by looking at where the front bumper brackets mount on the side of the battery box. There will be a 2nd boxed section above the one used for cars with normal bumpers from this period. It will look like this:
Cars without export bumpers only have the lower boxed section with the mounting holes/slots for the bumper brackets.

The export bumpers that would have been on your car are not like those posted by Jules. They would not have had the valence attached to them. They would have looked like this.
I see you've recreated the little valences front and rear that was typical of these cars. Here's 11510 with its original front valence and bumper.
Notice the vertical angle of the valence either side of the pointed nose?

Finally, if you want to put export bumpers on your car (and you should!), contact Reinhold Plank, Tony Proasi and Lasse Knoppel. They will have the info you need. Also, Torsten Walsdorff has reproduced the chrome bumper guards for these bumpers. And the rubber/aluminum molding is VW bus, which is also reproduced. Hope this helps!

Fantastic to see an export bumper car preserved and restored with export bumpers. Too many have been removed and replaced with the standard "body bumpers" of the period.

Thanks James that's brilliant information. The mounting brackets for the export bumpers are present on my car. The valence is exactly the same as on 11510, and I have in the past been in contact with that car's owner. As for bumpers we've managed to save the front bumper but not the rear. I have though been in touch with someone at Sierra Madre who can source one. I've been wondering about where to get the trim, over-riders etc.

I can see why people replace them with the body bumpers - they're arguably more attractive and definitely easier to get.

Update: I have managed to source an export rear bumper through Sierra Madre. Although it's expensive it's going to be easier and hopefully less problematic than trying to bring this one back to life. Very helpful people there it must be said. @James I will keep those names for info on the bumper trim. Good to know the rubber parts are from the bus!