Bendy Bumper

BigBob52

BigBob52

Member
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366
And finally...

Never use Google Translate to communicate with anybody!

My latest response in Italian went something like this according to one of my Italian students - who checked the Bendy Bumper Italian thread for me and then fell about laughing!

Apparently I wrote in formal Italian that:

‘Maserati are homeless cars only driven by perverted old people!’

So much for international harmony and understanding amongst like minded friends! It’s definitely not what I meant; but the real translation had us rolling on the floor - legs in the air laughing. I had to get my Italian student to write a ‘lost in translation’ apology.

Also, I apparently managed to insult the whole of Bologna - whilst inadvertently extolling the virtues of English Spag-Boll as an alternative to the real thing!

...And there is no such thing as a 4200GT according to Claudio!

It’s a wonder that anyone bothered to respond politely to Miss Bendy Bumpers earnest enquiries!

Thanks Google!
 
BigBob52

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
Okay. To reprise the Bendy Bumper saga so far... It's my understanding that the 3200 had a rear bumper design fault which needed reinforcement for the 4200GT - as we know it! The part numbers are different. The 4200 bumper will fit the 3200 with modification as it is the same shape - small under bumper fixing indicate the difference between the two from the outside but this only becomes really clear when you take them off the car - or find used fixing points for the 4200 type reinforcement under the spare wheel?
Does the above make sense to anybody?
 
Zep

Zep

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9,211
I’ve not heard about this issue anywhere else, so design fault is probably a bit strong. There is only one way to see if it will fit and what mods are needed and that’s to try it. There might well be subtle differences in the shape of the bumpers even if on the face of it they look the same.
 
BigBob52

BigBob52

Member
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366
Zep said:
I’ve not heard about this issue anywhere else, so design fault is probably a bit strong. There is only one way to see if it will fit and what mods are needed and that’s to try it. There might well be subtle differences in the shape of the bumpers even if on the face of it they look the same.
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Hi Zep,

You are probably right; I am no expert. However, the two types of bumper do seem to be very different in terms of internal reinforcement. It looks like the later 4200 version has been strengthened to compensate for the weakness in the 3200 bumper design. Both seem to be exactly the same externally but beneath the skin I am guessing that they are very different - not only in terms of part numbers. I can't take the bumper off the 3200 yet as it has an MOT next week - which is why I bought a spare and tried to contact my Forum friends in the UK and Italy before p1ssing everyone off with my poor Italian Google translation. Luckily, a few found the errors highly amusing - only at my expense.

On a more serious note, Dave had already noticed something similar happening to a few 3200's, when I sent him a message and first started looking into it. I am a compulsory picture straightener in real life and a bendy bumper on what I consider to be one of the most beautiful 'modern' cars made is just plain offensive.

Rob.
 
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Zep

Zep

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I don’t doubt that they took the opportunity to strengthen it and the different design of the spare wheel well may have presented an opportunity. We know that there are bumpers out there with bars bonded to the inside.

Things sag with age (well, I know I do!) so at this point it’s hard to say if it was too floppy from the factory, if a bar has gone missing or it is just advancing years.

I hope you find a solution! :)
 
BigBob52

BigBob52

Member
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366
Zep said:
I don’t doubt that they took the opportunity to strengthen it and the different design of the spare wheel well may have presented an opportunity. We know that there are bumpers out there with bars bonded to the inside.

Things sag with age (well, I know I do!) so at this point it’s hard to say if it was too floppy from the factory, if a bar has gone missing or it is just advancing years.

I hope you find a solution! :)
Click to expand...
If all else fails, I will probably bond in some Viagra!
 
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BigBob52

BigBob52

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366
Zep said:
I don’t doubt that they took the opportunity to strengthen it and the different design of the spare wheel well may have presented an opportunity. We know that there are bumpers out there with bars bonded to the inside.

Things sag with age (well, I know I do!) so at this point it’s hard to say if it was too floppy from the factory, if a bar has gone missing or it is just advancing years.

I hope you find a solution! :)
Click to expand...
The bar is definitely there on both - I just have to raise it!
Jesus the garage floor is COLD!
 
BigBob52

BigBob52

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366
FIFTY said:
Get a pack of these, water proof and oil resistant, the padding also stops fatigue from crawling around on your back on cold concrete/alsphat/etc.

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-t...ials/rolson-6-piece-floor-mat-set-120-x-180cm
Click to expand...
Softy Old Southerner loves the idea! Thanks Fifty.
Bendy Bumpers loves ya!
2583537357.jpg
 
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BigBob52

BigBob52

Member
Messages
366
Learnt from Giallo today that the simple way to tell the difference outwardly between a 3200 and 4200 bumper is the 3200 has reflectors - duh! - so I definitely have a late model 3200 spare bumper from the scrap yard to play with; now going to reinforce and bond in hollow rectangular section edge reinforcement to the upper edge - and set straighten with clamps - sparing the old ladies blushes, before I take the old one off the car for a further look-see.
 
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