DaDoc, What you are seeing is ONLY the tip of the iceberg,so to speak,if there is spread at both ends,it basically means the impact force was spread throughout the area,(both sides and rearward)on the front fascia,and also to the HDF(high density foam) structure underneath the fascia and possibly the metal framing of the HDF structure,and onto the black fiberglass under body,possibly cracking the under body,since this section of the under body is basically a "hanging shelf" or cantilevered Aka: a weak-point in the black body,that can get damaged even in a minor collision. Unfortunately the ONLY way to get this right again,is to pull off the front fascia,and repair/replace any damaged parts or areas,the Delorean is one of the few cars out there,that has the unique one piece fiberglass under-body,that absorbs the impact of a front collision (Lotus Esprit is the other) throughout the black-body.Meaning that on a VERY hard front impact,the whole fiberglass nose could/will shear-off almost up to the front firewall will shear-off,but yet the passenger compartment/interior WILL stay untouched,with the doors(both) still able to open,because the impact will be absorbed throughout,and through the cavities of the black-body that are filled with HDF,absorbing the impact of the collision.(Like a sponge absorbing water)I hope that gives you a prospective of what engineering went into the Development of the black under-body.By the way,here is a little Trivia: THE original reason the ERM,was not used was that, Lotus were most unhappy about it all, not merely because the prototype's roadholding and general rigidity were not helped by the big cut-outs in the shell dictated by the gull-wing doors, but also because of the safety limitations. Their own vast experience of both glassfibre- based bodies and backbone chassis-frames led them to surmise that in its original guise the DeLorean would fare very badly indeed in a barrier crash test. Very shortly Grumman ? the US aerospace concern ? were invited in by DeLorean to analyse the structure on their most sophisticated computers; they did so and predicted that the rear- mounted engine and gearbox would catch up with the occupants in the front footwells in a 26mph crash test!.... Meaning that the whole backend would crush flush with the dash!! You did not want to be in that car! The reason to have a full length frame under the car. cbl --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "dadoc2791" <gekko@xxxx> wrote: > > When I bought my '81 the previous owner had apparently driven it into a > post, dead center, tweaking the front bumper. It is barely noticable > from a couple of steps off, but up close you can see the seam between > the stainless and the "rubber" rear edge of the bumper is spread at > either end. Does anyone know of a way to "pull" or restore the normal > shape without replacing the bumper? > > Thanks in advance for any help > > DaDoc > To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/