I’m planning on doing the bumpers on my 64 Galaxie this winter. I going for them to be close and even everywhere. No bumper bolts or front license plate either. I would think for my case I’m wanting less than a 1/4” from the body
I have a 1955 f-100 and bobbed the frame rails to tuck the bumper in closer to the splash panel behind it... I left about a quarter of an inch and that was a big mistake. The frame flexed enough & the body moved around enough to cause contact between the two...Not long there-after my splash apron was scratched and dinged.
I did the rear bumper on my avatar 41 olds because it stuck out 5 inches moved it in about 3 inches looks way better to me. Front needs the same treatment
Depends on the car, the car's theme year, which bumpers will be used, the look you're going for can only be determined by you and your ability to re-style a car to improve it's appearance. Think it out, double check and go for it.
Always felt the front bumper ruined the looks of the 56 Chevy. With the splash pan narrowed say 1-1/2 inch,and the bumper set back,and the bumper ends trimmed a like amount,and rechromed,and the center guards removed it would look as good as the 55.