80 series OEM front bumper colour help

[MGC]

Hi all, I set about replacing my front bumper with a new centre section from Toyota to remove the additional spot lights that had been cut in to it (didn’t like them as looked too busy/bug eyed).

I thought I would go original colour, because I quite like the way it looks, where I believe the bumper and corners are a grey colour and not colour coded from factory like mine is today. Is this correct?

I’ve got the bumper colour spec sheet and my body shop could either make it up or match to the new centre section for my existing corners. After getting a quote of £300 all in to get the corners painted I had a look at new and it was only £60 more so went for them optimistically thinking they’d all match and be the OEM colour. I’ve put the new bits together and they are different shades of grey. Now I’ve had a look at some original brochure photos, etc and it looks like the centre section should be the same darker shade of grey as the new corners. However some photos I have seen do show a difference between the centre and corners or look like the lighter centre section grey. I am very confused.

Existing colour coded bumper with cut outs:

New bumper centre and corners from Toyota:

Some images I found of stock:

Toyota spec sheet:

Could anyone please help confirm if OEM is the darker grey, as per the corners, before I get the metal centre section sprayed please? Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[Towpack]

In the brochure I have for the last run of the 80 series (August '97), the VX comes with colour coded bumpers, ie, body colour and the GX dark grey bumpers.

 

[Ben Stratford]

My green gx 80 from 1997 had the mat grey centre section like the middle picture. But my white vx 80 from 1997 had the darker grey gloss colour like the bottom picture.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

As TP says Mart, the 97 " Amazon" badged VX 80's had colour coded bumpers. TBH I havn't seen one without. As has been said, the GX had grey bumpers.Both my 97's have colour coded bumpers which I think look more up to date.
THF none of the images are of the UK Amazon model.

 

[Shayne]

Wasn't it late 80's early 90's colour matching whole car became a trend ?

Something else to tempt the buyer away from base spec and opt VX trim .

 

[MGC]

In the brochure I have for the last run of the 80 series (August '97), the VX comes with colour coded bumpers, ie, body colour and the GX dark grey bumpers.

Yes mine is an August ‘97. On closer look of the brochure there is definitely a blue VX with colour coded bumpers.

 

[MGC]

My green gx 80 from 1997 had the mat grey centre section like the middle picture. But my white vx 80 from 1997 had the darker grey gloss colour like the bottom picture.

I do like the two tone look to be honest hence thought I’d give it a try but now not sure it worth effort/money

 

[MGC]

As TP says Mart, the 97 " Amazon" badged VX 80's had colour coded bumpers. TBH I havn't seen one without. As has been said, the GX had grey bumpers.Both my 97's have colour coded bumpers which I think look more up to date.
THF none of the images are of the UK Amazon model.

Thanks for confirming Andy. I think the grey bumpers above are US spec. I’m sure the idea will pass and I’ll get them colour coded in the end

 

[MGC]

When I removed my current bumper there is overspray on some of the fixings so it’s been painted after but I guess it would have had to have been painted when the spot lights were cut out.

 

[MGC]

There’s something about the two tone colour scheme I quite like (various non UK cars which could also be repainted)

 

[Towpack]

Bring back chrome bumpers with overiders I say!