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Technical 1950's Buicks- What is in the bumper guards/bombs?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Eric P., Feb 21, 2018.

  1. Eric P.
    Joined: Feb 16, 2018
    Posts: 7

    Eric P.

    I'm hoping to find an answer. I searched for about 3 hours last night looking to see what the "thingys" in the front bumper guards of the old Buicks are called. I know the Roadmasters had lights. I need to find a pair, but I have no clue what the heck they're called. All that was in my car when I bought it were plastic pieces cut into circles. The pic is of my 1953 Buick Super 56r. Thanks!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. FrankenRodz
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 892

    FrankenRodz
    Member

    They are called Bullets, but were nick-named Dagmars after a well-endowed Actress of the time.
     
  3. leon bee
    Joined: Mar 15, 2017
    Posts: 810

    leon bee
    Member

    Yeah, Dagmars, but I've mostly seen only a stainless dish in there.
     
  4. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 56,082

    squirrel
    Member


  5. gggholson
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 163

    gggholson
    Member

  6. In 1950, those were the signal lights, unless deleted. Then a delete plate

    Ben
     
  7. Eric's is a '53, they were all stampings as the signals were by the headlights.
    I tried to find them online, no luck. Here's the breakdown and factory part number (1161455) though.
    upload_2018-2-21_15-39-12.png

    upload_2018-2-21_15-40-0.png
     
  8. In the center were nipples. Big chrome nipples.
     
    Clay Belt likes this.
  9. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,874

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Dagmars are pointy and on Cadillacs ... Buicks wore a "Million dollar grin."
    The Buick guys should be able to tell us if a fog light option existed, but with it's small size, probably not.
     
  10. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 56,082

    squirrel
    Member

    looks like the proper name is "ornament"
     
    Sancho likes this.
  11. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,441

    Squablow
    Member

    If I was searching eBay and the like, I'd probably call them bumper guard inserts. I wonder if you couldn't get some parking light assemblies out of a 51 or 52 to fit in there though. 51-52 had them front and rear, and I think the diameter was the same although don't quote me on that.

    But as long as you're going custom, why not buy some aftermarket chrome bullets and put them in there. Might look nice, add a little chrome back to that (unfortunately) painted over bumper.

    Maybe something like this? Not my ad, just a suggestion. No rules when customizing.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/C8052-CHRO...ash=item33d7f70c25:g:-~QAAOSw22dZ1GL5&vxp=mtr
     
  12. FrankenRodz
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 892

    FrankenRodz
    Member

    I'm pretty sure the Buick's were pointy too, during the development stage, but too many guys played with them!
     
  13. dagmars were what Cadillac front bumpers were called in the 50's
     
  14. philo426
    Joined: Sep 20, 2007
    Posts: 2,097

    philo426
    Member

    Could you modify Caddy bullets to fit the Buick grille?
     
  15. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,914

    BJR
    Member

    You can do anything if you have enough talent and money.
     
  16. Eric P.
    Joined: Feb 16, 2018
    Posts: 7

    Eric P.

    Miraculously, I was able to find a pair of bullets on EBay. I literally looked for 2 months with no luck. After my post here I checked EBay again and there they were. Half the fun with these cars is the hunting for parts. The bumpers are in the process of being rechromed. Thanks for the help.
     
    Squablow likes this.

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