To bumber or not to bumper, that is a question?

Wow! Is that all new skin or was it just in great shape and you stripped it?

Oh as to your question... Hamlet thinks that not all models/years were equipped wtih bumpers as original equipment. We have seen so many with "bare backsides" that it really couldn't have been any other way. Hamlet has one, and yes, it acts as a skid. We took quite a nice divot of of a piece of asphalt recently. (oops). So as far as having a rear bumper, Hamlet says, "could be or not could be."

Thanks for the quick replies. I really think I would feel "vulnerable" without the bumper I am contemplating. You both only reinforce that feeling so thanks a bunch. That is what I was looking for. Hamlet, yes this is all new skin. the only thing I didn't replace was the roof as it was in great shape so I simply cleaned it up. You might also notice I have used the existing cargo door, dents and all although I did put some effort into working out the worst of them. I am probably a month away from taking Chucks Waggin to the paint shop and the issue of that door is still a bit up in the air. I will probably take it to the same vendor that did the new skin and have a new one made.
By the way, I am working on a blog to cover my rebuild and hope to have it published sometime later this summer, early fall. I have posted a number of pictures on the old site along with a link to the photo album but that really don't do justice to the opportunity to share the steps it takes to get one of these to this point. If you want to take a look here is the link.
1961shastacompactrestoration.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

I also use photobucket because it is easier to post the kind of pictures I show here.
Again, thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

I have seen a brochure for the 1961 compact, having one myself, and it didn't show a bumper so if it had one, it must have been an option. Mine doesn't have one and I'd kind of like to have a hollow one to store the awning poles and give a little protection.

I LOVE IT!

Question on the skin. Did you have a choice of it being white on one side and bare on the other or is yours all bare? And what thickness skin did you use? I also noticed you went ahead and folded the front and rear skin over the sides and went with all J Rail. Some of the earlier years have that cap rail on butted corners.

Those baggage doors are easy to disassemble and rebuild. Just get another little piece of skin bent to match the breaks on the main body and you are in there. Very simple. You may want to replace the wooden frame inside. Just 4 pieces. I put one in the middle for added strength....

Nice job on the Bumper install.

Hey for something that small you should look up the "Wooden Hand Break" on You Tube. I don't have a link to it I don't think but that search should get you there. Shows you how to make your own hand break for small projects like the baggage door.

Oh wow! Thanks for that Bill. I have a 12 foot brake but most people must look around for a sheet metal shop to get this done. So after all this time it's spelled BRAKE? I always thought it was BREAK... LOL. The English language isn't so easy is it?

We really like having Bill around. I think he may have been around during the beginning of the industrial age because he knows everything about everything and has been there and done that. I gotta buy you a beer or what every you drink when we meet up Bill. You are the real answer man around here.