Leif in Calif Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I was searching for something else and found a small article about water bumpers. They came out in the late sixties and as you would guess, were bumpers that were filled with water and they absorbed an pretty good impact with no damage to the vehicle. Here's a Wagoneer hitting another car at 20mph: And here's a guy filling them up...on the down side, they were heavy and ugly! Unlike toilet paper oil filters, it doesn't seem like any of these survived... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Wouldn’t work well in northern climates 😀. 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I remember seeing a few of those back when I was in high school! Yeah, an interesting idea, not thought quite all the way through. Some damage prevention advantages, but also significant downsides. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Many DOTs use water filled barrels in front of gore point appurtenances to help reduce damage to the vehicle and the roadway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 5 minutes ago, TerryB said: Wouldn’t work well in northern climates 😀. They caught on with a few transit systems for buses, including cold climates where its mixed with methyl hydrate. Barp.ca- Bus and Railway Photos Craig 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif in Calif Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 24 minutes ago, zepher said: Many DOTs use water filled barrels in front of gore point appurtenances to help reduce damage to the vehicle and the roadway. I believe those were developed by John Fitch, who raced for Mercedes in the 50's 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 (edited) 18 hours ago, 8E45E said: They caught on with a few transit systems for buses, including cold climates where its mixed with methyl hydrate. Barp.ca- Bus and Railway Photos Craig Your basic home owner guy wouldn’t think about the freezing and antifreeze use until it went BOOM. Where I live the change from warm to cold goes up and down quite often and many people get caught with freeze damage. “Dear, did you remember to put antifreeze in the car bumper?” Edited February 27 by TerryB (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 I recall seeing a few taxi cabs using these in about 1970. They didn't catch on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Nascar might still use water barriers. I know I have seen them get clobbered in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 21 hours ago, TerryB said: “Dear, did you remember to put antifreeze in the car bumper?” But of course without a leak, you would never need to check the antifreeze!👍 Fitch Sprint is also by John. As was the Fitch Phoenix. All AACA eligible.👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Frank DuVal said: But of course without a leak, you would never need to check the antifreeze!👍 Fitch Sprint is also by John. As was the Fitch Phoenix. All AACA eligible.👍 Just a second Frank, page 22 of the owners manual clearly states changing the coolant every year or 12,000 miles will ensure longest bumper life (and the boys in the shop make some extra $$$ for the dealer)😀. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 On 2/26/2024 at 4:06 PM, Leif in Calif said: It seems to me that that guy looks like Richard Nixon. So instead of "Watergate" it would be "Water tailgate" ??? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 On 2/26/2024 at 4:00 PM, TerryB said: Your basic home owner guy wouldn’t think about the freezing and antifreeze use until it went BOOM. Where I live the change from warm to cold goes up and down quite often and many people get caught with freeze damage. “Dear, did you remember to put antifreeze in the car bumper?” That often happens to those who own motorhomes, that are parked in the backyard for ten months of the year. They forget to empty their potable water holding tanks, and have to buy an expensive replacement in springtime. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Hagen Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Well, I still a toilet paper oil filter. Not in use but n ver throw anything away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Seems like the water could be adding a to of weight to the vehicle. It was an idea that was evolving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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