That is a very good question. What is the difference between the BlackDragon 260Z front bumper bar and a regular 70-72 240z front bumper bar ?

In theory, the 260Z bumper is/was heaver, reinforced, and I believe thicker top to bottom. I don't think '70-72 bumper guards will fit a 260Z bumper bar. In addition, the license plate mounts were relocated, I believe.

How about fitting a BlackDragon 260z bumper blade on a 73 ? With no bumper guard, in order to get that 70-72 look...

My 74 260 has the 72 bumper guards in place of the 74 rubber blocks

Also note that the '73 240Z and the 260Z have different bumper bracket mounts than the '72 and earlier bumpers, as well as a slightly different curved shape to work with the rubber packing pieces that go between the bumper and the fenders on each side. The bumper brackets are also larger, have a completely different mounting for the bumper, and stick out farther to accomodate the rubber packing and spacer piece.

For example, I cannot just take my very nice '73 240Z bumper, and put it on some earlier bumper brackets to bring it in closer and have it look like a '72 or earlier 240Z - unfortunately they are "apples and oranges". (the overriders are also in different spots (closer together) on the '73 versus the 72 and earlier).

I am in the process of coverting my car to the earlier '72 bumper look right now. Got all the parts, except I need some '72 overriders as the '73 overriders are bigger and the hood will hit them if I put them on the earlier bumper (not to mention I'd have to cut the rubber strip on the bumper)

Edited February 10, 200917 yr by DougN

Thanks Doug......wonder why the early bumpers (70-72) that BlackDragon sells are so much more expensive....like $499.00 vs $150.00? Has anyone ever purchased the early bumper from BlackDragon, and if so, are they OEM ? If not, are they a good copy? Guy

Thanks Doug......wonder why the early bumpers (70-72) that BlackDragon sells are so much more expensive....like $499.00 vs $150.00? Has anyone ever purchased the early bumper from BlackDragon, and if so, are they OEM ? If not, are they a good copy? Guy

I would be happy to buy a new 70-72 new bumper at 499$ given the cost of rechroming in my area. Was unable to locate any new one in the BlackDragon catalog :

http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icatalog/z/full.aspx?page=24

Any pointer ?

I called BlackDragon......The early bumper is not OEM, it's a knock-off. It may be a good knock-off, but still not original.

"Also note that the '73 240Z and the 260Z have different bumper bracket mounts than the '72 and earlier bumpers, as well as a slightly different curved shape to work with the rubber packing pieces that go between the bumper and the fenders on each side. "

Anyone have good side by side pictures of the differences?

My parts car has a front bumper that was rechromed and looks great except that it was bumped and sprung so it looks like the one in the first picture.

Here you go (steel colored ones are 70-72, black ones are 73):

Heres what they look like side by side on the car. The blue one is a 7/73 and the black one is a 12/69 (#110).

Bonzi Lon

thanks! That finally cleared it up for me.