Front bumper and spoiler

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eddieinoz
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Front bumper and spoiler

Post by eddieinoz »

Can anyone recommend a replacement front bumper supplier for an '89 excel? This is the later two part bumper. SJ Sportscars have these listed on their website but I assume these are aftermarket as their part numbers start with an SJ. Has anyone fitted these and if so would you recommend them?

The research I have done suggests that the original ones are RRIM type bumpers that cannot be repaired. The bottom half (spoiler) is definitely GRP but has probably met every sleeping policeman in the country, by the looks of it, so is probably not worth the time and effort to repair it.

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Hawaiis0
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Search the forum posts.

There was one for sale by a member just recently
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

richardw
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by richardw »

eddieinoz wrote:
Tue Oct 13, 2020 22:17
Can anyone recommend a replacement front bumper supplier for an '89 excel? This is the later two part bumper. SJ Sportscars have these listed on their website but I assume these are aftermarket as their part numbers start with an SJ. Has anyone fitted these and if so would you recommend them?

The research I have done suggests that the original ones are RRIM type bumpers that cannot be repaired. The bottom half (spoiler) is definitely GRP but has probably met every sleeping policeman in the country, by the looks of it, so is probably not worth the time and effort to repair it.
Probably the best place to try is Lotusbits.

Cheers, Richard
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Johnwindwood
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by Johnwindwood »

It won't be RRIM- as far as I'm aware they were 85 model year only. I fitted a later SE bumper to replace our RRIM one and it was flexible plastic.
Kind regards

John

John Windwood

1984 Lotus Excel (1985 MY wide body)
1952 Austin Sheerline A125 Harold Radford Shooting Brake
1949 Austin Sheerline saloon (Parts car)
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rbgosling
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by rbgosling »

I ordered one of the SJ ones, must have been about 6 years ago now. It took, if I remember, a couple of months from ordering to actually turning up, presumably was made to order rather than sitting on a shelf. Fitted just fine and was a good match to the original.

To my knowledge Lotusbits don't do new ones, but they may have some usable used ones.
"Farmer" Richard

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CHRISYD
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by CHRISYD »

yes, SJ make their own to order. ive had 2 fibreglass lower spoilers and a front bumper over the years and they are very good.
I REALISED YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT A LOTUS!!! Until now :oops:

eddieinoz
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by eddieinoz »

Thanks guys, looks like SJS are going to get a chunk of cash again.

'Boss motors' advertise in absolute Lotus magazine 'Brand New' Excel bumpers. Anyone had any dealings with them?

Sorry for the late reply, new house forces lack of restoration time unfortunately :(

eddieinoz
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by eddieinoz »

Johnwindwood wrote:
Wed Oct 14, 2020 15:34
It won't be RRIM- as far as I'm aware they were 85 model year only. I fitted a later SE bumper to replace our RRIM one and it was flexible plastic.
Just checked the service notes, definitely RRIM after '89, the bumper I have is not purely GRP as it is flexible, bottom half is just GRP though

Pete Boole
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by Pete Boole »

My '89 MY had the rubber-like bumper - presumably RRIM.

Pete

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AndyD
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by AndyD »

My '86 SE had Rubber, presumably RRIM.

If you use a heat gun to get the old paint off it goes rather flexible. Don't ask me how I know that... :oops:

Andy

Johnwindwood
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Re: Front bumper and spoiler

Post by Johnwindwood »

RRIM is a version of GRP-not like the later rubber. It isn't really possible to repair it, unlike conventional GRP. Used in 1985 MY only as far as I'm aware.
Please see
:http://compositeslab.com/composites-man ... ding-rrim/
Kind regards

John

John Windwood

1984 Lotus Excel (1985 MY wide body)
1952 Austin Sheerline A125 Harold Radford Shooting Brake
1949 Austin Sheerline saloon (Parts car)
1997 BMW Z3 1.9
2002 Volvo V70XC Cross Country AWD

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