Is there a special trick to get the rear bumber off of a 1975 Camaro? And for that matter is there a way to lighten these heavy *** things up? All that extra metal makes them one the heavest bumbers I've ever seen.

 

They are aluminum, so really not that heavy. What is heavy is the energy absorbing mounts on the '75 bumPer. If you want to unbolt it you need to blast the bumper bolts with penetrant, and then unbolt them. It's sometimes easier to unbolt the mounts, and then remove tham after the bumper is off.
Lightening and streamining can be done by eliminating the absorbing mounts and building your own, but shorter to tuck the bumper in closer to the body. You can also trim the depth and width of the bumper if you can weld aluminum, and make it more compact.

 

So what you're saying is...penetrating oil, unbolting, pry bars and a BFH is what I need to get this thing off.
Secondly, I've seen pics of some cars with the bumpers painted black and tucked tight to body. Are there after market mounts for these things? Are there bumpers out there that gets rid of the rubber trim?

 

Yes, it's just a case of a lot of elbow grease and penetrant to get them off. Best to soak them well overnight before even trying the bolts. I don't know of any aftermarket mounts, or bumpers. I've seen people weld up the holes for the rubber, and also use stick on trim that was thinner to eliminate the trim. Painting and cropping looks good, and again takes some welding first.
If you don't own a welder for aluminum you could get all the filler pieces built for the holes, and then take the bumper to a welder to have him weld them in. Then you could do the grinding and the rest the work. Brackets to replace the heavy mounts can be built up also, but again would take some welding.

 

I got it off. The pin that "slides" when the energy absorber is compressed was rusted to the slide. What a PITA! Nothing my air hammer could not take care of.
I will think of something to do with these bumpers when the time comes. Thanks for the input.