Bumper Conversion on a 450SL

[gtwendt]

I have a 1976 450SL and would like to know if anyone has any experience transforming the bumpers to the Euro look by shortening them.Can this be done or do I have to buy new bumpers. Seems like there should be a way to convert the original bumpers. Also, this 1976 has the cats underneath the car, not in the engine compartment. I was under the impression that the under the car placement didn't begin until 1977. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

[450sler]

I have a 76450SL and mine has the cats under the hood ;-( but I have a set of manifolds ;-)

I just painted mine and posted a pic of it all torn down with the fresh paint. I just posted a question about the ignition switch...you can see it without bumpers.

Mine is getting Euro square headlights, a 1980 front air dam (which gives the car a lowered look up front and euro bumpers. I found a set and so far it's been a trick figuring out how to mount them on the car...some fabrication will be required. I also found front turn singnal indicator off a 72slc that will integrate into the 1980 fron air dam and allow me to not use the square turn signal indicators up front.

Yes I know I butchered it from an originality POV but that's how I wanted it to be and I used all Mercedes parts LOL, just from different years The car was a total turd when I started...a really bad Ebay purchase...$9000 later, it's starting to look good again but will never be concours car.

It'll be just how I want it though...if I can just get her to come back to life now that she's got her makeover...I'll be doing good. The Euro bumpers look a lot better IMO but it's job getting them to fit right if you don't have all the right brackets and such...I have most of mine but have to make some of them, or find something on ebay that'll work...

MarkG

[unesl]

Here is the link to the: our SL site article. Its the actual pictures and info I took and sent in when I converted my 88 SL to the european bumpers which Roy published.

http://www.oursl.com/NewsLetter/NL0806/Euro-Bumper.htm

The best way to do it is to keep an eye out for used bumpers on ebay. Mine were from a gray market being dismantled. Spent $1000.00 on the complete set including the rear valances. I re-chromed the parts, sandblasted all the metal and repainted all components in a friends shop. Looks brand new for a total outlay of $2200.00. All new components would set you back close to $5500.00!