Klaus -

I followed your suggestion, and the Ebay seller actually gave me her father's phone # since she is selling the cover for him. And he picked up the phone - who does that these days from an unknown number? He said that he was able to use a plastic trim tool to work into the slots where the strips go through to release the strips from the bumper cover. He noted what I have which is that over the years the plastic hardens and the joints were extremely tight. He said that he broke one of the three slots due to using a screwdriver, which was too sharp. He also said that it took 2-1/2 hours and a lot of patience.

So, this gives me some hope and a direction. I appreciate your tip, which I had not considered.

Don