First, I will apologize for what I'm sure is an old topic, but without much luck in several searches for specific answers I thought I'd start a new thread for my first post.

I now have a U.S. spec 1976 450 SL. This is my second 450 SL within a 25 year span, the first being a 1973.

Without starting the old purist vs. modified friendly discussion , I'll just say that the car wasn't stock when I bought it, but I'm not a fan of the U.S. bumper look anyway, so a set of euro bumpers purchased is now set for my first project.

I removed my rear bumper this morning since that was my Father's Day gift to myself before the major league ball game gift from my daughters happened at 1 p.m. I had it off without drama by 10 a.m. No rust under there...large sigh of relief.

On one rear euro bumper topic/thread search, I found the tip about the rubber plug removal for the passenger side bolt hole installation. The driver's side tip said to bore out the left top threaded hole for the old 5 mph shocks. It looks like it should be the right top hole to me, but that's without convincing the daughters to help me eyeball it yet. Any answers on that first question?

The second question is for the front euro bumper installation. I have not dropped that yet.

I have an AMG front spoiler, painted and ready to go. That's it for my modification tastes. I have the proper early grills for the early 107 cat eye turn signals, plus fog lights, for installation under the new euro bumper.

The question is this: Do I retain, or lose the original 1976 metal valance/semi-spoiler (under-bumper panel) with the grills? I would think it may need to stay for body rigidity to the fenders, thereby only dropping the grills out, proceeding to attaching screws through the abs plastic AMG spoiler lip to the metal inner fender area of the panel by each front wheel... then bolt the rest to the under side of the euro bumper.

Anyone who has attacked this with words of wisdom would be appreciated!

Happy Father's Day to all.