Bumper: Stylish Safety Feature

Anthony Fontanelle
January 7, 2008

Safety, performance, and style are the top factors motorists consider in getting a car. All three should be able to suit their needs and lifestyle. The external features, for one, are very important for these set the vehicle apart from others. A bumper, in particular, can do this, while protecting the passengers during minor, low-speed collisions. Mounted at the front and rear areas of a vehicle, it is designed to absorb and deliver the momentum if an accident occurs. A crumple zone is also integrated in bumpers to enable some parts of the bumper to flex during collisions. To increase motorists’ safety, a bumper has become a standard feature in today’s vehicles.

Aside from being a safety feature, a bumper also enhances the styling quality of a vehicle. Other car enthusiasts opt to replace their standard bumpers to get a more customized look. Some even ornament the bumpers with other accessories such as bumper covers, brackets, reinforcements, and fillers.

Bumper maintenance is important to keep it functioning well. In case of a damage bumper, a replacement can easily be done since replacements are widely available today. Its installation is simple as long as the right tools are within reach.

In the early days, bumpers were a little more than a strap of flat iron. Further enhancements were done by the 1960s when chromed bumpers were introduced. During the early 1970s, self-repairing bumpers were introduced and became mandatory, but did not last long. They went out of style by the end of the 1980s, and were replaced with fiberglass bumpers. Although these were lighter, they were not very durable since they could easily crack. While heavy steel used to be the primary material in constructing bumpers, various materials such as rubber, plastic, or painted light metal were also utilized later on. These materials were actually prone to damage even from minimal contact.

Source:  Amazines.com