Are Fastback rear bumpers reversible ?

[Qldelsie]

My rear bumper on my 1970 Fastback is a bit bent at the moment, courtesy of the PO, so it is difficult to see the exact correct shape.
In addition, the top of my bumper is a lot rustier than the bottom - And I can't afford rechroming at the moment.

So I was wondering if the bumper could be turned upside down so the worse chrome side was on the bottom ? I realise a new hole would have to be drilled for one of the support bolts, but thats not a drama and the existing hole could always be plugged with a small plastic plug or a spare chrome headed bolt.

Just an idea !!

Thanks, G

[Intrinsic]

I believe that they are reversible, mine are upside down due to the corrosion on the top surface. There is a VW stamp which will be visible, for me a small consideration.

[Bobnotch]

Another option would be to contact Harrington Co. (see the Ghia forums as they have more info on them) and see about getting a set of stainless steel bumpers from Vietnam (for USA customers, there's a company in Florida that's selling them). Or another option would be to seek out a rear Ghia bumper from a late Ghia, since they are the same part (I have one on my wife's 70 Fastback). That might be easier to find, since it doesn't limit you to finding a harder to find t-3 part.
I hope this helps.
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[Qldelsie]

Yes, what is the deal with the numbers 4 and 9 on each side of that VW stamp ?

Good news, because as you can see, my bumper is not too bad. The inside was HORRIBLE, but I wire brushed all the rust out, and although it was badly pitted, the good old German steel will surivie a lot longer yet now it has been acid treated and given 4 coats of rust inhibiting paint !
You can see the two bends at one end of my bar - A sharp vertical crease which looks like the PO backed into a post or something, and then a bend on the top side which probably was caused by the first incident. I am thinking of using a strong press to ease out the crease, and that will hopefully pull the other bend into line.
Rust wise the original top side it is more "unsightly" than "bad". I read about the "Aluminium foil and white vinegar" trick on the internet and was stunned by how well and how quickly it removed the rust discolouring - Much quicker and easier than a chrome polish like Autosol. But unfortunately the pitting is still there - thus my idea of turning the bumper upside down because the (original) bottom side is almost perfect.
Bobnotch, thanks for the info, but get a replacement bumper all the way from the USA would be just cost prohibitive for me, and as mine is in relatively good condition apart from that crease, I intend to keep mine as is. My rebuild is not intended as a "concours" effort - My intention is for the car to be totally usable as a daily, and not looking like something the cat dragged in !! So my money is going on mechanicals, suspension and brakes, and electrics, and the rest will get done over time. I had to do the inside because that was almost totally rotted out because of the leaking window rubbers, but lots of "fancy bits" can wait till I ship her to USA for my Alaskaa trip, and I can then buy them local !!!
G

[EverettB]

Bumper date stamp, probably 4/1969 production, although that does seem a bit early for a 1970 model, especially since the bumpers changed style for 1970
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[Qldelsie]