Topic: 67-68 fold down seat bumpers

[ruppstang]

I am interested in determining when the change occurred from the tear drop style to the round style that looks like a hood bumper with the top open. 67-68 fold seat bumpers that rest in the pocket in the deck. I get some pictures soon.

[Fastback2013]

mine is January 12 built and tear drop shape...
Hope this is of any help,
kind regards,
Jeroen

[J_Speegle]

Marty started with San Jose only since (by adding in the Shelby's) that increased the total number of samples available to me

At this point for San Jose 67 through 68 production

Latest "tear drop" bumper found on a fold down was on a car built June 28th 1967 - 7R2138xx

Earliest round bumper found on a fold down was on a car built (projected date) Jan 4 68  - 8R12471x

Unfortunately not a detail that shows up in allot of pictures - nor the focus of pictures

Interested in all plants?

[ruppstang]

The car I am working on is a Dearborn 67 Fastback built 2-15-67 and it has the tear drop style. One was missing and when I checked the NPD catalog it listed the tear drop style 65-73. I know our 68 GT350 built 12-02-67 has the round style. It got me wondering If it changed with the 68 model year or if it could differ between assembly plants.
Here is a picture of the round style off a 68.
Marty

[TLea]

Don't think you'll find 68s with teardrop

[J_Speegle]

The car I am working on is a Dearborn 67 Fastback built 2-15-67 and it has the tear drop style.............
Here is a picture of the round style off a 68.

That is an interesting bumper. Don't recall ever seeing one of those on an original fold down

Will look to see what other cars from other plants can tell us but think we'll find that the change came with the year change

[ruppstang]

I agree with you and Tim that it most likely changed at the 68 model year. I will check the 67 & 68 assembly manuals and see if the same part numbers are listed for both years.It some what surprises me that Ford did not just use a hood bumper on the fold down, other than the open top on the rubber they are just the same.

[jwc66k]

This topic caught my eye simply because it's for Fastbacks (I like Fastbacks. I have several 65-66.).

I will check the 67 & 68 assembly manuals and see if the same part numbers are listed for both years.

The 67 manual indicates a C5 part number, the "teardrop" design. (I like the "special" description.) The 68 manual indicates a C7 part number and the drawing indicates a round design. This would imply that the change was made in 1967. Looking at the C7 design, I can understand why, the "teardrop" design is slightly more difficult to "assembly line" adjust.

It some what surprises me that Ford did not just use a hood bumper on the fold down, other than the open top on the rubber they are just the same.

They look the same but may be a different diameter. ("Hindsight designing" is fun.)
Jim

[J_Speegle]

..........It some what surprises me that Ford did not just use a hood bumper on the fold down, other than the open top on the rubber they are just the same.

I seem to recall the use of the (solid top style) hood bumpers being installed - at least at San Jose - now to find examples  but will guess this will take a while to find examples since they are not clearly visible when the fold downs are in the up position. How most are displayed.

Not the greatest picture but as mentioned not often the focus of a picture session nor a for sale ad

8R12471x




8R19063x





8R21107x






I do recall seeing restored cars (68 NJ since we see so many of those) with the style that you showed Marty. Not sure if they were original or changed out on those examples. Maybe Pete or Tim will come across this thread and comment on what they have found on original cars from that plant - that year

[TLea]

Never seen anything other than round with open top on that I would consider original for 68 NJ   Other difference besides bumper design is jamb nut. Hood bumpers were phosphate. Fold down what I would call hard plate or industrial chrome

[ruppstang]

This topic caught my eye simply because it's for Fastbacks (I like Fastbacks. I have several 65-66.). The 67 manual indicates a C5 part number, the "teardrop" design. (I like the "special" description.) The 68 manual indicates a C7 part number and the drawing indicates a round design. This would imply that the change was made in 1967. Looking at the C7 design, I can understand why, the "teardrop" design is slightly more difficult to "assembly line" adjust. They look the same but may be a different diameter. ("Hindsight designing" is fun.)
Jim

Thanks Jim for checking the assembly manuals. It looks like with a C7 part number on the round style we should be looking for examples in latter 67 production.