"Dagmar" Bumpers - Plus or Minus

[1974ChargerSE]

I am slowly getting my 74 Charger SE (F8 Green, 19k miles) back together and have to make a decision: Keep the rubber bumper extensions (I call them "Dagmars" after the 50s Cadillacs which had large, protruding, conical bumper guards, and were named after an actress named Dagmar, who had a prodigious bosom. Some even had rubber tips, sort of like nipples. Bet the GM guys had some private laughs designing them.), or remove them.

I know some of you have removed them and I think it looks more "streamlined". But, they were designed with the car and don't look too bad...

The car was in an accident in 1975 with 19,000 miles, but never restored. When I got it about 15 years ago, it had sat in a garage, waiting. I had some things done to it (replaced the windshield, left front fender and right rear quarter, which was damaged, then it sat again), so it is not a true "survivor" and will be mine until the end, so whatever I choose, goes.

Any thoughts or pictures of 73-74 Chargers to help make my choice?

 

[YY1]

They are relatively easy to remove.
You may break a bolt but I think they use standard bumper bolts.

I took the front ones off my 73 Satellite but left the rears as I use them to rest items on while I open the trunk.

It did clean up the look of the front end.

I really don't mind them, I just wanted to see what it looked like.

 

[#41]

The 73 - 74s look a lot better when you take them off, and even better than that if you get rid of the rubber that surrounds the bumper and tuck them in like a 71 - 72. Just understand that when you take them off the current bumper, you will find that they have left some scratches, indentations, and discoloration on the bumper chrome that is not easily fixed without chroming or painting the bumper. It's easy enough to fill the empty holes with bumper bolts. Also, on the rear valance you will have two empty slots where the bar that holds the bumperettes on is located. So, the bottom line is that it's not as clean and easy as it seems to just take them off.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I know it looks cleaner but I’m leaving mine alone. I like the stock look, and they get a lot of comments because you just don’t see them anymore.

 

[YY1]

Mine without-

 

[chargervert]

I know it looks cleaner but I’m leaving mine alone. I like the stock look, and they get a lot of comments because you just don’t see them anymore.View attachment 1730843View attachment 1730844

The comments most people get are ouch I whacked my knee on those effing things.

 

[Coelacanth]

I personally don't like the Dagmar bumper guards...or the Dagmar sidemarkers post-1971.

 

[chargervert]

I personally don't like the Dagmar bumper guards...or the Dagmar sidemarkers post-1971.

 

[Coelacanth]

I believe I commented on that Charger previously, I definitely approve of the sidemarker mods on that car.

 

[1974ChargerSE]

I took the rears off (broke one and fought hard to get the other bolt to come off), and think it looks better without. I am going to remove the front before I put them back on...

 

[Runcharger]

I took them off my 73 SE when I bought it and it was one year old. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The 73-4's are still sleek cars, they don't need the warts on either end detracting from that.

 

[T2R9]

Going flush on my 74 with 71-71=2 bumper guards. I fit them up before body and paint.

 

[Detective D]

I don't mind them on the front.
I think the back looks a lot more sleek when they are gone. This is why the choice is so hard

I am leaving mine on the 78 Police Monaco, but that is a bit different being a 4 door, somehow the utilitarian stuff fits better with it I think.
I would opt to remove I think on a 2 door.