rx1900
1981 X1/9
Yes they are finally available.
These special brackets are for mounting 73-78 euro spec. bumpers on later model ('79 up) X1/9s. A simple bolt on solution. No cutting - no welding - no drilling. They simply bolt on in minutes. I think they should also work on 75-78 U.S. spec. models, but I have not yet tried. Of course all X1/9s from '79 on worldwide shared the same bumpers and mounts.
They will NOT work with the '74 U.S. spec. bumpers. Although the bumpers look similar, they are in fact completely different in their mounts.
Fitting the euro spec. bumpers is not as easy as you would think. Although the bumpers fit over the outer bodywork fine, the mounting points on the early euro chassis are totally different and thus the euro brackets cannot be used (I know, I bought some and tried). Nor could they be modified to fit.
I finally concluded that the only way was to design and fabricate some new brackets from scratch. I decided to make a few extra copies to try to recoup some of my expenses.
They basically bolt on in place of the existing bumper shocks.
Tubes are sturdy 14 gauge 409 stainless steel.
Plates are laser cut 1/4" thick steel. The programming and set-up charges were quite substantial - especially since I had to re-do them several times to get it right.
After finally perfecting a set of prototypes, then a jig was made for each of the 4 brackets so that totally accurate finished products could be reproduced.
Epoxy paint coated - 3 coats - black satin
These brackets simply bolt on to the stock euro bumpers using their existing captive nuts. Note that the mounting holes on my brackets are slotted to allow adjustment while fitting - as I'm sure that not all X1/9 chassis and bumpers are exactly alike.
I have read complaints about the design of the original euro brackets. Look closely at the original and you will see that the rubber bumper blocks are - especially in the front - quite inboard of the bumper mounts and not at all supported by the original brackets. Any impact - which is most likely to be taken by the block - apparantly results in the inner ends of the bumper folding in and crushing the nose sheetmetal. Note I have extended the bracket to support the block as well. This should cure that flaw.....but I don't think I'd want to be the one to test it out....
I have tried to design - the fronts at least - so that in a minor impact the bracket will just bend and absorb most of the impact.
Because my brackets simply bolt on in minutes and require absolutely no alterations to the stock chassis or bodywork, you could - although I don't know why you would want to - revert back to the stock bumpers at any time. I seem to have this strange belief that it's okay to modify or update or backdate my X - as long as it is reversible.
Anyway, I have made up a few extra sets because I know that there are a bunch of you out there who have acquired some euro bumpers but can't quite figure out how to mount them.
They are finished and ready to ship.
Although the finished product looks pretty simple, believe me it was anything but ! Try bending 1/4" steel. The tubes had to be hydraulically reduced in diameter at both ends - differently - so that the big rubber grommets would fit into the tubes openings......
I went to a great deal of trouble - and expense - to try do everything right. I have made the brackets as inconspicous as possible. Tubing is stainless steel. Paint is 3 coats of automotive chassis epoxy. I had them professionally welded. The large mounting holes were done precisely at a machine shop on a large milling machine. All needed nuts, bolts, and washers are included and are zinc plated grade 8.8 . The nuts and bolts are the type with integral serrated washer. Sticky pads are 3M automotive grade.
Although I was able to do most of the work myself, it still involved about 10 different outside suppliers and subcontractors. By the time I figured out just how involved the the project was, I was too far along to back out, so I forged ahead and completed one batch. I'm telling you this to explain why this will most likely be a one-time only batch. I hope I made enough to cover demand.
So if you want some, I would suggest you order them before they are gone. Fair warning.
Set of 4 brackets, complete with neccessary bolts, nuts, washers :
Only $199 Canadian or U.S.$ plus shipping.
For those of you overseas, I would require Paypal payment in Canadian $. For England, I think this works out to about 125 pounds. For Europe, this is about 140 euros. For Australia, I think our dollars are close to par.
Please post here or PM me for a shipping quote and Paypal info.
Please fell free to post any questions or comments.
Thanks, Doug
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These special brackets are for mounting 73-78 euro spec. bumpers on later model ('79 up) X1/9s. A simple bolt on solution. No cutting - no welding - no drilling. They simply bolt on in minutes. I think they should also work on 75-78 U.S. spec. models, but I have not yet tried. Of course all X1/9s from '79 on worldwide shared the same bumpers and mounts.
They will NOT work with the '74 U.S. spec. bumpers. Although the bumpers look similar, they are in fact completely different in their mounts.
Fitting the euro spec. bumpers is not as easy as you would think. Although the bumpers fit over the outer bodywork fine, the mounting points on the early euro chassis are totally different and thus the euro brackets cannot be used (I know, I bought some and tried). Nor could they be modified to fit.
I finally concluded that the only way was to design and fabricate some new brackets from scratch. I decided to make a few extra copies to try to recoup some of my expenses.
They basically bolt on in place of the existing bumper shocks.
Tubes are sturdy 14 gauge 409 stainless steel.
Plates are laser cut 1/4" thick steel. The programming and set-up charges were quite substantial - especially since I had to re-do them several times to get it right.
After finally perfecting a set of prototypes, then a jig was made for each of the 4 brackets so that totally accurate finished products could be reproduced.
Epoxy paint coated - 3 coats - black satin
These brackets simply bolt on to the stock euro bumpers using their existing captive nuts. Note that the mounting holes on my brackets are slotted to allow adjustment while fitting - as I'm sure that not all X1/9 chassis and bumpers are exactly alike.
I have read complaints about the design of the original euro brackets. Look closely at the original and you will see that the rubber bumper blocks are - especially in the front - quite inboard of the bumper mounts and not at all supported by the original brackets. Any impact - which is most likely to be taken by the block - apparantly results in the inner ends of the bumper folding in and crushing the nose sheetmetal. Note I have extended the bracket to support the block as well. This should cure that flaw.....but I don't think I'd want to be the one to test it out....
I have tried to design - the fronts at least - so that in a minor impact the bracket will just bend and absorb most of the impact.
Because my brackets simply bolt on in minutes and require absolutely no alterations to the stock chassis or bodywork, you could - although I don't know why you would want to - revert back to the stock bumpers at any time. I seem to have this strange belief that it's okay to modify or update or backdate my X - as long as it is reversible.
Anyway, I have made up a few extra sets because I know that there are a bunch of you out there who have acquired some euro bumpers but can't quite figure out how to mount them.
They are finished and ready to ship.
Although the finished product looks pretty simple, believe me it was anything but ! Try bending 1/4" steel. The tubes had to be hydraulically reduced in diameter at both ends - differently - so that the big rubber grommets would fit into the tubes openings......
I went to a great deal of trouble - and expense - to try do everything right. I have made the brackets as inconspicous as possible. Tubing is stainless steel. Paint is 3 coats of automotive chassis epoxy. I had them professionally welded. The large mounting holes were done precisely at a machine shop on a large milling machine. All needed nuts, bolts, and washers are included and are zinc plated grade 8.8 . The nuts and bolts are the type with integral serrated washer. Sticky pads are 3M automotive grade.
Although I was able to do most of the work myself, it still involved about 10 different outside suppliers and subcontractors. By the time I figured out just how involved the the project was, I was too far along to back out, so I forged ahead and completed one batch. I'm telling you this to explain why this will most likely be a one-time only batch. I hope I made enough to cover demand.
So if you want some, I would suggest you order them before they are gone. Fair warning.
Set of 4 brackets, complete with neccessary bolts, nuts, washers :
Only $199 Canadian or U.S.$ plus shipping.
For those of you overseas, I would require Paypal payment in Canadian $. For England, I think this works out to about 125 pounds. For Europe, this is about 140 euros. For Australia, I think our dollars are close to par.
Please post here or PM me for a shipping quote and Paypal info.
Please fell free to post any questions or comments.
Thanks, Doug