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Austin Healey Bumper Over-Riders: Correct Profile & Construction

Chrome bumper over-rider fitted to a red Austin Healey 100

Correct Austin Healey Over-Riders Start with the Pressing

A bumper over-rider can be only slightly out of shape and still look noticeably different on close inspection. Small differences in the flat top, flat bottom, centre groove or the way the pressing meets the bumper can stand out to an experienced eye, even when the chrome itself looks excellent.

But the original shape and construction were not chosen for appearance alone. To reproduce both accurately, A H Spares invested in new tooling based on measurements from the original design, with a CAD model used to create CNC-machined tooling for the pressings. Made from original-gauge steel, the finished over-riders restore the defined profile while helping retain the strength and low-speed impact protection intended in the original front and rear bumper arrangement.

Austin Healey Bumper Over-Riders at a Glance

Why does the profile matter?
The flat top, flat bottom, centre groove, defined sides and the shape where the over-rider meets the bumper all contribute to the finished appearance of an Austin Healey bumper.
Why use original-gauge steel?
It helps reproduce the strength and substance of the original component, supporting the low-speed impact protection intended as part of the front and rear bumper design.
How were the over-riders developed?
A H Spares developed new tooling from a CAD model based on measurements from the original design, with the tooling CNC machined for precision.
Which Austin Healeys are covered?
BMP120P fits Austin Healey 100 BN1-BN2 and is also used as the front bumper over-rider on the Sprite MK1 Frogeye. BMP121P fits Austin Healey 100-Six and 3000 models from BN4-BJ8.
How many are required?
Austin Healey 100, 100-Six and 3000 models use four over-riders per vehicle, with two fitted to the front bumper and two to the rear. The Sprite MK1 Frogeye uses two BMP120P over-riders on the front bumper. Each over-rider is supplied with its fixing bolt and seal.
How are they finished?
Both versions are finished in triple-plated Premium British Chrome over the accurately formed original-gauge steel pressing.
Bumper over-rider on an Austin Healey 100

Why Shape and Steel Gauge Matter Before the Chrome

Chrome naturally attracts the eye, but the finish can only follow the shape underneath it. If the steel pressing has the wrong contours, polishing and plating cannot restore the missing definition.

That matters because over-riders sit prominently on both bumpers. A top edge that is too rounded, a shallow centre groove or poorly defined sides can become surprisingly noticeable once the bumper is assembled and fitted to the car.

There is also a practical reason to get the underlying construction right. The over-rider forms part of the bumper arrangement, so reproducing it in original-gauge steel helps retain the strength and low-speed impact protection intended in the original design.

The job therefore starts well before the plating stage. It starts with the tooling that forms the shape and the steel used to make the pressing.

Accuracy Starts in the Steel Pressing

A H Spares carried out extensive research before developing new tooling for these over-riders. Measurements from the original design were used to create a CAD model, with the resulting tooling CNC machined for precision.

This allows the important details to be formed directly into the component rather than relying on finishing work to compensate for a less accurate pressing. Original-gauge steel then gives the finished part the substantial construction expected from the bumper assembly.

Details Reproduced from the Original Design

  • Flat upper profile.
  • Flat lower profile.
  • Defined centre groove.
  • Defined sides.
  • Correct profile where the over-rider meets the bumper.

Construction with a Purpose

  • Measurements taken from the original design.
  • Tooling developed from a CAD model.
  • Tooling CNC machined for precision.
  • Pressed from original-gauge steel.
  • Helps retain the low-speed impact protection intended in the original bumper design.
  • Made by A H Panels.

See an Austin Healey Over-Rider Being Laser Cut

The work behind these over-riders goes beyond recreating the visible shape. This short clip shows an over-rider during laser cutting, one of the manufacturing operations involved in producing the component.

It is a useful glimpse behind the finished chrome: dedicated tooling and carefully controlled manufacturing are what allow the defining profile and original-gauge steel construction to be reproduced consistently.

Watch the Austin Healey over-rider laser-cutting video

Austin Healey 3000 BT7 rear bumper over-rider in Premium British Chrome

Premium British Chrome over the Right Pressing

Once the profile and steel construction are right, the visible finish can do its job. Both over-riders are finished in Premium British Chrome using a triple-plating process to give the accurately formed steel pressing a deep chrome lustre.

The three elements work together: dedicated tooling establishes the shape, original-gauge steel provides the substantial construction, and the chrome completes the exterior finish.

Choose the Correct Austin Healey Bumper Over-Rider

Two over-rider versions cover the Big Healey range, with BMP120P also used on the Austin Healey Sprite MK1 Frogeye front bumper. Choose the application for your Healey below.

Austin Healey 100 BN1-BN2

Also fits Sprite MK1 Frogeye front bumper

Austin Healey BN1-BN2 and Sprite MK1 bumper over-rider in Premium British Chrome

Dedicated bumper over-rider for Austin Healey 100 BN1-BN2, also used on the front bumper of the Austin Healey Sprite MK1 Frogeye.

  • Part: BMP120P
  • Sprite use number: XBMP102
  • BN1-BN2 OE reference: 1B8784
  • BN1-BN2 quantity: 4 per vehicle
  • Sprite MK1 quantity: 2 on the front bumper
  • Construction: Original-gauge steel
  • Supplied with: Fixing bolt and seal
  • Finish: Triple-plated Premium British Chrome

Developed from original design measurements to reproduce the defined over-rider profile, while original-gauge steel helps retain the substantial construction and low-speed protection intended in the bumper arrangement.

View BMP120P Over-Rider

Austin Healey 100-Six & 3000 BN4-BJ8

For six-cylinder Big Healey models

Austin Healey BN4-BJ8 bumper over-rider in Premium British Chrome

Dedicated bumper over-rider for Austin Healey 100-Six and 3000 models from BN4 to BJ8, covering the later Big Healey range.

  • Part: BMP121P
  • OE reference: 11B5308
  • Quantity per vehicle: 4
  • Construction: Original-gauge steel
  • Supplied with: Fixing bolt and seal
  • Finish: Triple-plated Premium British Chrome

Dedicated tooling reproduces the defined BN4-BJ8 over-rider profile while original-gauge steel helps retain the substantial construction and low-speed protection intended in the bumper arrangement.

View BMP121P Over-Rider

Replacing more of the bumper assembly? Browse Austin Healey bumper parts.

Why the Correct Over-Rider Is More Than Cosmetic

The differences between over-rider pressings can appear minor when the part is viewed on its own. Once fitted to the bumper, however, the flat surfaces, centre groove, side definition and relationship with the bumper all contribute to the familiar Austin Healey appearance.

Austin Healey 3000 BT7 rear bumper with chrome over-rider fitted

The steel matters just as much. Reproducing the over-rider in original-gauge material helps retain the substantial construction and low-speed impact protection intended as part of the original front and rear bumper arrangement.

That is why A H Spares went back to original design measurements and invested in dedicated tooling. The finished over-riders bring together the correct profile, original-gauge steel, triple-plated Premium British Chrome and the fixing bolt and seal required for installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How were the A H Spares over-riders developed?
A H Spares developed dedicated tooling from a CAD model based on measurements from the original design. The tooling was CNC machined to reproduce the required profile and definition accurately.
What is Premium British Chrome?
These over-riders use a triple-plated chrome finish over the accurately formed original-gauge steel pressing, providing the deep chrome lustre expected from this prominent exterior component.
Which over-rider fits an Austin Healey 100 BN1 or BN2?
Use BMP120P for Austin Healey 100 BN1 and BN2 models. Each over-rider is supplied with its fixing bolt and seal, and four are required per vehicle.
Which over-rider fits Austin Healey BN4-BJ8 models?
Use BMP121P for Austin Healey 100-Six and 3000 models from BN4 through to BJ8. Each over-rider is supplied with its fixing bolt and seal, and four are required per vehicle.
Why does the shape of an Austin Healey bumper over-rider matter?
The flat top and bottom profiles, centre groove, sides and the point where the over-rider meets the bumper all contribute to the appearance of the completed bumper. A good chrome finish cannot replace these details if they are missing from the underlying pressing.
Why is original-gauge steel important?
Original-gauge steel helps reproduce the strength and substance of the original over-rider as well as its appearance. As part of the bumper assembly, that construction also helps retain the low-speed impact protection intended in the original front and rear bumper design.

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