Over-riders

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Tue 28 Oct 2008 15:21
Over-riders - L'escargot
Whatever happened to over-riders? Those on my Phase 1 Vanguard were a joy to behold. And the front bumper was strong enough for me to be able to stand on it to work on the engine. Ah, the good old days. Not!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 28 Oct 2008 15:30
Over-riders - cheddar
They were often status related, i.e your GT, GXL or E would have them though your Deluxe or L wouldnt.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 28 Oct 2008 15:30
Over-riders - boxsterboy
I remember Dad putting a pair of Morris Minor chrome overiders on the front bumper of his Citroen GS (chrome bumper). They were a perfect fit and prevented parking cars from reversing into his settled GS and damaging above the bumper line.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 28 Oct 2008 15:50
Over-riders - Lud
They were supposed to compensate for different bumper heights of course, but often failed in practice owing to the springiness or weakness of bumpers, which used to twist and let them slip over. It was quite common for cars to be stuck together like model trains or copulating dogs after minor traffic shunts, and it could be awkward to separate them, sometimes requiring passers-by to weigh one car down and lift the other while one of the drivers backed off. That was why overriders, especially on flimsy cars, were often a bit dog-eared after a while.

But bumpers mounted on springs and themselves made of tough spring steel were quite good at absorbing shocks without any damage. It would have been better to double or treble them than to fit them with overriders, but of course weight, expense and styling all got in the way.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 28 Oct 2008 15:59
Over-riders - Lud
I have posted this before, but in the seventies I knew a gloomy New York artist whose car was a Porsche 356 cabriolet - long past its best - fitted with horrible looking, large bumpers and overriders made from scaffolding, complete with clamps. When I asked if they protected the poor little Porsche from the behemoths around it, he said morosely that they didn't, but they discouraged people with new cars from coming too close.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.

Honest John's Guide To Winter Tyres