Pinto Car Club of America

anybody out there who can help me with this question:  we have a 1978 3-door hatchback.  both bumpers are heavily oxidized.  I was told by bumper experts that the manufacturer put aluminum bumpers (chrome plated) on 1978 pintos.  it would cost $500 plus to have both bumpers re-chromed. If I can find good replacements, what year(s) would fit and work with our 1978 model?

The 77 models are about identical to the 78, but I have never seen "chome" bumpers on 77/78's. I have seen polished  with what appears to be a clear coat. I have about the same thing with mine, I was planning on geting them painted or powdercoated.

Bill

77-78 Pinto had aluminum bumpers with the reinforcement built into them but they were not chromed, maybe polished, clearcoated or anodized. Ford changed to these in 77 to cut down on weight. If you want chrome bumpers you can use 74-76 chrome bumpers + the reinforcement bar, but they are made of steel and much heaver than the original bumpers.

put some elbow grease into them with a tube of autosol, that what i did and so did my fatherinlaw on his '78.....made them look BRANDNEW! It took some time....but it was time well spent. First picture is before the elbow grease, second is after it was finished

or you could buy 2 new ones from bill in WV(he's a member of this site)