Good luck I bought a NOS set 3 years ago and I will not tell you what they cost. Just in case my wife reads this.
long stroke said
Jan 1, 2013
Vern is right, these bumper end caps are just about impossible to find. It might be easier looking for the HOLY GRAIL. I have gone to Carlisle and Hershey Penn., U.S.A. and not seen then there as well. As you know they were so prone to rust. The caps you show in your picture are the American Pontiac caps. Canadian 57 Pontiac caps did not have an exhaust hole in them. All you can do is check Hemmings motor news once in a while and go to as many swap meets as you can. Also get in touch with all the big Pontiac parts dealers in the U.S.A., Like AMES PONTIAC and Bill Fortune and check in with them once in awhile. To find them here in Canada is even worse, unless you luck out with someone out west in B.C., Alberta or Sask. Best of luck to you finding them. Cheers. George.
HuPar said
Jan 1, 2013
Thanks for your interest. i'll keep looking, it all comes to he who waits, grin. Keep me in mind. Happy New Year.
57poncho said
Jan 1, 2013
If you wait you will find them. I found mine on Ebay, drove my car for 2 years with out any.
73SC said
Jan 2, 2013
I recall seeing an ebay auction on these that settled at $674 for a used OE pair over a year ago. Maybe these went to the Peg. I belive there is also a person in Kansas that is reproducing these in aluminum for around $200 a pair.
Laurentian 57 said
Jan 2, 2013
Better not to buy these alu reproductions... There is a lot of very little holes in the surface of the part and when you rechrome it, there is always a lot of little holes in the surface...and a lot of little $ lost...
HuPar said
Jan 3, 2013
Thanks for the info, that is just what I was thinking about. I'll keep on looking for the real thing. Cheers
jimmysan said
Jan 9, 2013
This is my first ever post on the forum, but I joined about 18 months ago. I really enjoy reading all the great information available here. I have a '57 Laurentian and my rear bumper caps are rusted out as well. I bought a very nice set of O.E.M. caps on eBay last fall. No rust at all off a US car, but it set me back $650 plus shipping and duty. They come up every once in a while and I lost out on 2 auctions because I couldn't wrap my head around paying that much. You pretty much have to cruise eBay every day because when they come up, they go fast.
I was also told that some guys get ahold of 2 rusty sets and cut them in half and weld the good halves back together and have them re-chromed. It's always the lower half that rusts out. If you are good with a MIG this might be a less expensive option.
Happy New Year
427carl said
Jan 9, 2013
jimmysan wrote:
This is my first ever post on the forum,
but I joined about 18 months ago. I really enjoy reading all the great information available here. I have a '57 Laurentian and my rear bumper caps are rusted out as well. I bought a very nice set of O.E.M. caps on eBay last fall. No rust at all off a US car, but it set me back $650 plus shipping and duty. They come up every once in a while and I lost out on 2 auctions because I couldn't wrap my head around paying that much. You pretty much have to cruise eBay every day because when they come up, they go fast. I was also told that some guys get ahold of 2 rusty sets and cut them in half and weld the good halves back together and have them re-chromed. It's always the lower half that rusts out. If you are good with a MIG this might be a less expensive option. Happy New Year
Welcome
HuPar said
Jan 10, 2013
Hi Jimmysan, could you give me a few specifics of exactly what you searched for on Ebay. What wording etc. Thanks, Hugh
jimmysan said
Jan 10, 2013
I just search for 1957 Pontiac bumper. I've seen a few sets of both the open style cap which was only on US cars and also the closed style which was on the Canadian and U.S. cars. I'll keep my eyes open too and send you a message if I see something.
Cheers,
HuPar said
Jan 10, 2013
Appreciated. I'm looking for these for a good friend, doesn't know his way around a computer. He has a completely restored 4 dr pathfinder, nice job.
mikeswagon said
Jan 12, 2013
If you find some let me know !!!!
jimmysan said
Mar 4, 2013
I noticed a pair of the open stlye caps just came up today on ebay (I'm an ebay junkie. Is there a support group for people like me?)
These are the type that the exhaust exits through the bumper. Was not an option on Canadian cars but was an option on the Starchiefs and standard on the Bonneville in the US.
These are brand new reproductions. They look nice, but would require the adaptor flanges that go behind that the exhaust bolts up to. These come up on ebay once in awhile too. Those could probably be easily fabricated as well. Would also require re-routing the exhaust.
I've never been a fan of the exhaust coming out the bumper because it turns the bumper black with soot and would require constant cleaning.
That being said, it would look alot better than a rusty old set of closed caps like all of our canadian cars seem to have.
jimmysan said
Mar 28, 2013
These just came up on ebay today: new reproduction 1957 Pontiac rear bumper caps. Starting bid price is $650.00
I'm looking for both rear bumper ettes, would any one have such a thing, or maybe direct me to a place to purchase them.
-- Edited by HuPar on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 11:55:18 AM
Vern is right, these bumper end caps are just about impossible to find. It might be easier looking for the HOLY GRAIL. I have gone to Carlisle and Hershey Penn., U.S.A. and not seen then there as well. As you know they were so prone to rust. The caps you show in your picture are the American Pontiac caps. Canadian 57 Pontiac caps did not have an exhaust hole in them. All you can do is check Hemmings motor news once in a while and go to as many swap meets as you can. Also get in touch with all the big Pontiac parts dealers in the U.S.A., Like AMES PONTIAC and Bill Fortune and check in with them once in awhile. To find them here in Canada is even worse, unless you luck out with someone out west in B.C., Alberta or Sask. Best of luck to you finding them. Cheers. George.
I recall seeing an ebay auction on these that settled at $674 for a used OE pair over a year ago. Maybe these went to the Peg. I belive there is also a person in Kansas that is reproducing these in aluminum for around $200 a pair.
Better not to buy these alu reproductions... There is a lot of very little holes in the surface of the part and when you rechrome it, there is always a lot of little holes in the surface...and a lot of little $ lost...
Welcome
If you find some let me know !!!!
I noticed a pair of the open stlye caps just came up today on ebay (I'm an ebay junkie. Is there a support group for people like me?)
Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-NOS-repro-1957-bumper-exhaust-tips-chrome-57-Star-Chief-Chieftain-Super-/321083551537?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac2122f31&vxp=mtr#ht_141wt_1170
These are the type that the exhaust exits through the bumper. Was not an option on Canadian cars but was an option on the Starchiefs and standard on the Bonneville in the US.
These are brand new reproductions. They look nice, but would require the adaptor flanges that go behind that the exhaust bolts up to. These come up on ebay once in awhile too. Those could probably be easily fabricated as well. Would also require re-routing the exhaust.
I've never been a fan of the exhaust coming out the bumper because it turns the bumper black with soot and would require constant cleaning.
That being said, it would look alot better than a rusty old set of closed caps like all of our canadian cars seem to have.
These just came up on ebay today: new reproduction 1957 Pontiac rear bumper caps. Starting bid price is $650.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Pontiac-REAR-BUMPER-CAPS-CLOSED-TYPE-with-Mounting-Hardware-L-R-pair-/281084856928?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4171f68a60&vxp=mtr#ht_348wt_932
Cheers,
Jimmysan
Not sure if you are still looking, but I just posted "one" on ebay that I will not be using on my Pathfinder.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191171459683?item=191171459683&viewitem=&vxp=mtr