Firebird front bumper assembly musings

[Wallington]

One of those things I've noticed over the years, didn't think much of them, forgot completely, saw again, then forgot, and now I've looked a little deeper.

(I have nothing to do tonight and am bored!)

On one of the 77-78 Firebird front bumper assembly diagrams, but not all, there's a small twisted strap bracket referred to as Locator. It carries no part number, is not available to buyers, basically appears to have been an assembly tool. I figured it was perhaps used to hang the main bumper assembly from the centre with a hook while aligning the main brackets.

See part #3 - Locator.

Firebird 77-78 front bumper nosecone locator diagrams (2) by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird 77-78 front bumper nosecone locator diagrams (1) by Ben, on Flickr


On 79-81 models, they also have a Locator strap #8, but it stays on the assembly, #10008062.

79-81 Firebird front bumpor nosecone locator strap 10008062 by Ben, on Flickr

79-81 Trans Am no nosecone by Ben, on Flickr


Then I thought, maybe the 77-78 assembly was similar to 79-81, in that the strap from the nosecone mounted to something as well, just to align the parts. But for some reason it was also removed again, a shop tool for setting up. Be handy if it stayed in place for correct mounting angles and distance.
And yes, the 77-78 nosecone centre support also has a small hole just above the centre bumper hole.

77-78 Front bumper nosecone support by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird 78 nosecone support bracket to bumper strap Locator holes (4) by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird 78 nosecone support bracket to bumper strap Locator holes (3) by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird 78 nosecone support bracket to bumper strap Locator holes (1) by Ben, on Flickr


And just to confirm other trivial details, the 74-76 Assembly diagrams don't appear to use a Locator strap here. Their centre support bracket #527696 has no hole in place. For 77-78 they also used the same bracket, while it still carried the number #527696, it was revised. It still had the holes to mount the 74-76 top bracket if needed, but also had the lower hole added for the Locator strap on 77-78 models. It also has the locating dowel hole at the rear.

74-76 support.

74-78 Firebird nosecone support bracket 527696 with 74-76 small bracket (3) by Ben, on Flickr

77-78 support.

76-78 Firebird nosecone centre support bracket 527696 (2) by Ben, on Flickr

So there you go. Does it help in any way, afraid not.

[b_hill_86]

Still interesting though. That’s something I haven’t done on my car…removing the bumper so things like still interest me cause it offers insight into something I haven’t experienced

[Wallington]

Even the most boring pics can tell a story when you check them years later, things you never noticed.

[roadking77]

Interesting.

[FormTA]

Interesting.  I'll have to check tye couple 77/78 front ends I have hanging in my attic for that plate. Which may or may not still be attached...

[Warren Seale]

I have the 10008062 from my 79.  It was broken in half but was still attached.  I removed it like about 30 years ago.  I kept it just to see if it will ever be reproduced.  The part number is stamped into the metal.

[Wallington]

I'm not sure how rare the 79-81 strap is, not something you see listed used. The number brings up nothing. Perhaps it wasn't always left in place either, but like the early years, wonder why removed too. Simple to make if had correct dimensions.

[Wallington]

4000 views?

Who are these people? How many replies on fbook or mentions that the Bandit was actually a 76?