Aluminum bumper supports code VD6 VD7

[Alaskabuick]

Is this a very common option? I have heard this was standard on the WE4. Today I was decoding my turbo T and found it had these options listed on the trunk sticker?

How much weight does this loose?

Dennis

 

[turbofish38]

They are not an option per say but more like standard equipment on a lot of TR's. The only model they ARE NOT common on are the 1987 Grand Nationals. You'll find them on 1987 Turbo-T's,Limiteds,WE4,turbo Regals and GNX's and all 1984-1986 turbo models. Even the 86-87 307 V-8 powered Regals got them but no 87 GN's. I have seen a few turbo Regals with out them too, but this seems to be the norm. Why the 87 GN didn't get them is because of some strange federal law concerning the CAFE requirements for 1987. The GN with its steel wheels had to weigh a certain amount to skirt the law. Which is why you couldn't order one fully loaded too. It's a long story. Figure about a 20 pound per bumper weight advantage.

 

[Gary Wells]

I believe that's urban myth on the aluminum bumper supports being standard on the WE4's. I have seen quite a few without them. Come to think about it, I don't remember ever checking a WE4 with them.

 

[salvageV6]

My WE4 has them, the '87 GN doesn't.

I thought all the WE4's had them.

I wish the WE4 Registry was still alive. :frown:

 

[turbofish38]

I believe that's urban myth on the aluminum bumper supports being standard on the WE4's. I have seen quite a few without them. Come to think about it, I don't remember ever checking a WE4 with them.

I have about 100 SPID labels on file and I've never seen a WE4 without them. Two examples. Notice the WE4,VD6 and VD7.

 

[Gary Wells]

I have about 100 SPID labels on file and I've never seen a WE4 without them. Two examples. Notice the WE4,VD6 and VD7.

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Eric: I looked at 3 WE4's about 2 yeas ago, and maybe just by coincidince, but none of the 3 had aluminum bumper supports. I did not know what the codes were when I was inspecting the cars, so i did not look at the trunk codes, but I was using a magnet. Oops, my bad, I guess.

 

[strikeeagle]

I believe WE4s were intended to have aluminum, but I'd never bet that a WE4 or two didn't escape Pontiac with steel. For one thing, what would keep Pontiac from throwing GN bumper assemblies on WE4s somewhere along the way, being as they're, um, black?

I would say that I bet you'll never see a SPID with WE4 and steel.

strike

 

[turbofish38]

I would say that I bet you'll never see a SPID with WE4 and steel.

I'm still looking for the elusive steel WE4 too. I'll post a pic as soon as I find it.

You know, I wish GM would have stamped the VIN's into these things. Here's why. I see the aluminum reinforcements in the boneyards all of the time. 90% of them are on the NA cars and I would say everyone of them had been replaced at one time or another. Usually the fronts are bent and worthless. I have a nice collection of rears though. Now I'm thinking if the majority of these came on turbo cars there must be a surplus of TR's in the bone yards. Nope, I've never seen a TR in one of the self-service yards, seen a few carbo-turbos but never a SFI car. From the looks of some of these scabs of a car, I'm thinking there might be the slim possibilty that they could have came off of a stolen TR or two. If there was a VIN at least a person could confirm that a stolen TR was parted out.