71-72 front notched urathane bumper question

I heard that some early production 1973 Mustangs received the 71-72 notched urathane bumper version instead of the 73 heavier urathane bumper. Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

Well, I suppose it could be possible, but I seriously doubt it. 1973 was the year that industry wide the manufacturers were required by the federal government to have bumpers that could withstand a 5 mph static impact. Seeing as it was a federal mandate, I think Ford was careful not to allow any of the early models to "slip" through with the 71-72 urethane bumpers... legality issues and all, it wouldn't be worth it for them to let that happen.

I've been to many car shows, and occasionally someone tries to pass off a 73 as being "factory" equipped with the 71-72 urethane bumper...but no one I've seen has been able to 100% prove it...usually it turns out to be someone in the past didn't care for the larger 73 bumper and swapped it out for the slimmer 71-72 version...and then when the car is sold, they of course tell the buyer that the car is all original...so naturally they tell everyone who see it the same...hence the start of urban legends.

Not that I by any means am an expert on the subject, but the 71-72's are my area of true love in the Mustang world, and I've owned enough of them and read just about all I can find on them and I feel pretty confident is what I said...could be wrong though, but I doubt it .

Mike

Since Model years start in Sept of the previous year, maybe the law took effect in Jan of 73. and a few months of production were allowed with smaller bumbers.
I really dont know....

Originally Posted by jorgem2

Since Model years start in Sept of the previous year, maybe the law took effect in Jan of 73. and a few months of production were allowed with smaller bumbers.
I really dont know....

Interesting point, but if that were the case you would have had a production run for about 3 months...so more than just a few would have possibly been made, so using that point I am sure there would be verifiable proof of that happening, but....

Like I said before, it could be possible...but from what I read, the mandate for the bumpers was for the 73 model year, not physical calender year, so there really shouldn't be any "leftover" bumpers being used...just doesn't seem too likely to have happened.

On the other hand, maybe Ford had a few "prototypes" made up early for the 73 model year show off, prior to being equipped with the new mandated bumper they received the 71-72 urethane bumper, and somehow slipped through into the factory use lineup...and eventually they maybe got sold. Who knows!

Just like the 71 Boss 302...there were pictures of the prototype shown, stripe kits sent to dealers...but it never came to production...but what is believed to be that prototype in the pictures just surfaced recently. So again, anything is possible when it comes to the wonderful world of autos!

Mike

Just adding my 2 cents to the discussion. I believe I have read that the only mustangs that came from the factory with the urethane front bumpers was the 71 Mach1. I believe the 71 Boss came with the chrome front bumper also. I have a 71 Mach 1 that My father purchased new in the fall of 1970 that came with the urethane front bumper. I restored the car about 5 years ago and had to take the front bumper to a bumper specialty shop to have it restored! $200 bucks and about four months waiting for them to get off their rears! An aftermarket chrome front bumper goes for about $100.Hope this helps

Originally Posted by Richmond

I heard that some early production 1973 Mustangs received the 71-72 notched urathane bumper version instead of the 73 heavier urathane bumper. Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

Most likely not. The 73 front apron rails are different from the 71/72 specially for the 73 impact bumper (reinf) and isolators.

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Most likely not. The 73 front apron rails are different from the 71/72 specially for the 73 impact bumper (reinf) and isolators.

No, they aren't different, 71-73 use the same apron/rail assembly, with a D1ZZ part #. You could bolt a 71-2 nose/bumper/valance onto a '73 and vice-versa. You can't accomplish a bolt-on swap without the proper fender/bumper set, since the 73 bumper sits lower and the fender was modified to suit.



If any '73 prototypes made it out into the public, I'd be very surprised. Federal regs were a lot tougher that year and the vehicles had to be right.

Regarding that 71 B2 proto, I can't imagine the original owner didn't complain about the 4.11 rear gears....

Originally Posted by Hemikiller

No, they aren't different, 71-73 use the same apron/rail assembly, with a D1ZZ part #.

Correct you are, I stand corrected...