bored, so what is your opinon here?

[Jim Ratto]

really off the wall here, but here it goes...

you guys that don't think bumpers are cool enough can move on...

What about a Type 1 sedan, early or late model and instead of chrome-plated bumpers, what about a satin-nickel type of finish? Yes, on full US-style bumpers or pre-68 European -spec or (especially) on post-'68 bumpers?

can you get what I am saying? Not chrome, but a more matt finish, but not silver like paint either..

With the right colors, personally I think it would look very stealth and subtle and cool. Zenith blue would look ideal....

[Zach Gomulka]

I love the look of nickle plating instead of chrome. Never seen it on a beetle, but I think you could be on to something I do think it would look best on a euro style bumper without the US towel rails though.

[javabug]

Definetly has potential on late-model bumpers, for sure.  Altho...

It might remind me too much of 81+ US Rabbit bumpers.  They were aluminum with clear anodizing; the anodized finish would get cloudy and dull.

[louisb]

There was a 32 roadster featured in the hot rod mags several years ago that had all the hardware nickel plated instead of chromed. I thought it gave the car a real race car feel to it. Not glitzy but still very sharp. I think a set of T-bars would look good that way too. But I forget, no non-bumper guys allowed. 

--louis

[Bewitched666]

i like the bumper look next to t-bars or nothing at all.

Had a beetle where i lowered the bumpers a bit so the car looked more in the weeds

[Jim Ratto]

maybe find a cheap set of bumpers and experiment....

[Sam K]

Sounds cool to me. It would look good on a color like white, tan or maybe that grey on Audi TT's. I  think you might have to do a similar plating on the rest of the chrome and the wheels for it to look right.

[Jason Foster]

I didnt think nickel plating was all that matte. I do agree it would change things up a bit and that is something not so often seen anymore. How bout some flat black blades? You got something in the works Jim?

[sam P]

Isn't nickel plating what they used on early rolls royces? Still looks pretty shiny to me. Or is it more of a brushed stainless look you're after?
Would work allright with late model bumpers, but I can't really imagine it on a full US bumper setup.

[Rennsurfer]

Nickel can be buffed to look like chrome. When I used to race bikes, my favorite race frame was nickel. Had to polish it for every race, but it looked nice for a week. A lotta upkeep on a car with bigger area.

I like the idea of not having any chrome on the car and having all of the metal trim powdercoated or painted in pewter or silver. That would look COOL and stand out from the rest of the cars. I've also wanted to see something like that since the late '80s.

[SlingShot]

Cadmium plating may look good as well.

[gibber!]

Do you mean something similar to this...?









I washed the car today and Vaseline'd the bumpers after (a ritual we perform in wetter areas).
The pictures aren't too good, but they have a brushed look....