73 Monaco wagon

[MonacoBlue]

You're making good progress, won't be long and you'll be finished.
Not sure if your front bumper is tweaked or out of alignment, but there's only a couple bolts on each framerail to loosen if it's merely misadjusted. It helps to have a friend around when you do, that bugger is heavy!

Paul…

It’s been a long time since you wrote the note asking about the bumper…

I took some action…

I used a come-along and put some tension on the end of that bumper. I think it looks better now…it was definitely…tense…on my part. I probably should have been standing behind a wall or something. Glad the chain didn’t fly off.

See the new photos from today. Pleased with the results. “Kids don’t try this at home.”

 

[MonacoBlue]

“Before” photo from 2019-ish…

“After” photo, from today…

 

[MonacoBlue]

Wait. This is a bit better comparison. Forgot I took a “before” photo today…

 

[MonacoBlue]

Replaced both front parking light lenses today. Started on passenger side. Take out three screws from the bezel…

 

[MonacoBlue]

Old lens wasn’t too bad, just a little milky. Cleaned up a little surface rust on the galvanized part, took out the bulbs and cleaned out a little corrosion with a toothpick…did some touch up silver paint on the internal reflector…

 

[MonacoBlue]

Lookin’ better already…

 

[MonacoBlue]

Did the same thing on the driver’s side. Then this was the end result. Voila!

 

[saforwardlook]

Did the same thing on the driver’s side. Then this was the end result. Voila!

View attachment 599483

I know that opinions vary but in my case, I personally prefer seeing the bumper guards on the front of the cars.

 

[LocuMob]

I know that opinions vary but in my case, I personally prefer seeing the bumper guards on the front of the cars.

Me too, Steve. I'm a Slab guy and should know the codes for bumper guards, but I do know, and love seeing M85 on most Fuselage cars. But I can't argue with a clean front bumper, sometimes less is better. The struggle is real.

 

[MonacoBlue]

Well, funny you should mention that.

It’s my next project.

Personally I prefer a cleaner pre-73 look.

However - I recently decided - from a very practical standpoint, if that plastic grille ever gets damaged because I didn’t have the guards in place, I’ll be crying.

So… they are going back on.

 

[saforwardlook]

Well, funny you should mention that.

It’s my next project.

Personally I prefer a cleaner pre-73 look.

However - I recently decided - from a very practical standpoint, if that plastic grille ever gets damaged because I didn’t have the guards in place, I’ll be crying.

So… they are going back on.

Given that very distinctive front end on the 72-73 Monacos and in the case of the 73's especially, those big rubber guards kind of give the front ends that "don't mess with me" kind of aura that is similar to, though not nearly as evil as today's Hellcats that give that image in spades! No cars do it better than the Charger versions. Just terrific!

 

[MonacoBlue]

Given that very distinctive front end on the 72-73 Monacos and in the case of the 73's especially, those big rubber guards kind of give the front ends that "don't mess with me" kind of aura that is similar to, though not nearly as evil as today's Hellcats that give that image in spades! No cars do it better than the Charger versions. Just terrific!

A hardtop version…with a bull bar, 440, 140 mph speedo, and CA, WV, or Michigan State Police livery would look good.

(WV had dark blue and gold, which I like.)

And a big red (or blue) bubble light on top…of course.

That says “move over”, very effectively.

 

[saforwardlook]

A hardtop version…with a bull bar, 440, 140 mph speedo, and CA, WV, or Michigan State Police livery would look good.

(WV had dark blue and gold, which I like.)

And a big red (or blue) bubble light on top…of course.

That says “move over”, very effectively.

You don't have the personality for that kind of a vehicle.....................................................

 

[MonacoBlue]

You don't have the personality for that kind of a vehicle.....................................................

Ha! If you mean “insecure”, I’ll take that as a compliment.

 

[saforwardlook]

Ha! If you mean “insecure”, I’ll take that as a compliment.

You are too nice a guy for that kind of persona - it just doesn't fit your demeanor to be a wannabe cop. that was all..........................

 

[MonacoBlue]

I got the bumper guards out of the attic. Going to have to do some mix and match with the (1) replacement pad I got. And some cleaning…

 

[MonacoBlue]

A little chrome polish on the salvage yard chrome part. And some glycerine on the salvage yard black rubber part, to soften and shine it up.

 

[MonacoBlue]

The “new” RH bumper guard is cleaned and assembled.

 

[MonacoBlue]

The bumper. Amazes me how grungy it gets just sitting in the carport, as little as I drive it (seasonally). Where do the bug splatters come from, etc.

Kicking’ it old school with chrome polish, #0000 steel wool (thanks for the tip, Manny!), and Tar & Bug remover.

 

[MonacoBlue]

3 seconds with steel wool, before and after…