I think the new bumpers have the oval slots to accommodate the special clips made to fit in the rubber strip. The clips are held to the bumper by pulling through the slots until they expand after seating. I think they went to this design to avoid the rusting of the bolts/nuts on the previous round hole bumpers. I would just widen the slot and/or make it a square and use stainless steel or chrome carriage bolts. Home Depot has them. Don't know if they make small ones but they have the size like the bolts for the mounting of the bumper.

I just bought a new '72/'73 bumper end section for my current project ('72tii - front end damage). The new piece came with several "slots" and two round holes instead of the all "round" holes on the original end section...is this the only way they come now?

I was wanting to use chrome bolts again for a more European look...no rubber strip, but the slots just don't cut-it without the rubber impact strip.

Anyone had this problem?

John
'72tii,'73tii,'74&'76