View with the rubber bumper removed, exposing the supporting plates on the end of the rubber bumper chassis rails - these have to be cut back by 3 inches above the tray and about 1 inch below to make room for the chrome bumper grill and valance. It can be done with a decent hacksaw - but it is hard work.

Here the top half of the right-hand bracket has been removed exposing the chassis rail. Note the aperture in the rubber bumper wing (bottom right) to accommodate the back of the rubber bumper indicators. This must be enlarged to allow the Lucas sidelight/indicator units to be positioned so as to conceal this aperture.

In order to use standard bumper brackets, plates with captive nuts are welded into the sides of the chassis rails (using a chrome bumper car as a template). The chassis rails are then sealed by welding plates over the exposed ends. Finish-off the job with plenty of rust-inhibiting paint.

Here the two bolts which will secure the right hand chrome bumper bracket are test-fitted to the captive nuts inside the chassis rail. Note also the positioning of the Lucas sidelight/ indicator unit, just covering the aperture in the rubber bumper wing. (An alternative solution would be to weld in a plate to cover this aperture completely.)

Now the chrome bumper valance and bumper brackets have been fitted. The radiator grill and lights are test-fitted prior to spraying. The Lucas sidelight/indicator units are positioned about 1 inch out from their normal position but this is barely noticeable. Their mounting screws also have to be repositioned. The existing wiring is used to connect-up the new lights.

The finished front - the sense of achievement is enormous. Note the absence of over riders. This gives the car a cleaner, less-cluttered look. The worst is now over - conversion of the rear being relatively straightforward by comparison. Only the number plate remains to be fitted to the front bumper.