wow randy that does help. not only is the front bumper less curved, but it seems to be narrower which should work out great! I lucked out and found a rear bumper to play with for cheap (although I think it is too pitted to save, it was only 20 bucks). now I just need to get my hands on a front bumper to see if it will work (short of spending $400 on a new one only to find out it won't work.

bob- the funny thing about the bumper being so close to the fender with the short brackets is that the bumper is mounted to the body so if it gets hit, the body is going to be smashed anyway. that is if whatever hits the car actually hits the bumper. way back when in the late fifties when my dad was driving this car it was hit at the spare tire crushing the body and the bumper was usless anyway...and that was when the bumper sat 4-5" higher!

thank you both!