Brackets Behind Bumperettes Options

[doug_b_928]

I removed these brackets (see pic below) from my 74 parts car front bumper. There were no such brackets on my 73 front bumper, but I supposed they could have been left off by a PO. The PET diagram doesn't show them... Are these brackets OE and, if so, were they on all 70-74 front bumpers? They look like stock pieces, fit perfectly between the bumper and the bumper mount bracket, and make sense to beef up the bumper a bit.

[Rusty_Rivets]

Likely the difference between models sold in the US and Canada/rest of the world. I think only the ones sold in the US had the bumperettes, due to the US 5 MPH bumper regulation:
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/09/50-years-...rs-fought-back/

My Canadian '73 doesn't have them.

[doug_b_928]

Canadian cars had the bumperettes the same as the U.S. cars. One of the few differences I'm aware of is that, as far as I know, all/most Canadian cars received the schutz undercoating, but not all US cars did. Oh, and the Canadian import sticker in the door jam, of course. But I digress... I'm referring to the steel brackets in the pic that sit behind the bumper and add reinforcement to the bumperettes by sitting in line with teh bracket that's welded into the bumper itself, which then receives the bolts to hold the bumper to the car. My 73 didn't have these steel brackets to help reinforce the bumperettes, but the 74 parts car did. I'm a stickler for originality but these brackets look like a good idea so I'll likely restore and use them on my 73 regardless, but I'm curious if my 73 would have originally come with them or not.

[dtmehall]

I have a 73 us model. my car has no such brackets.


mine was fitted (documented in many posts here) with 'dog bones' rubber reinforcements behind the bumper

i would think that a 73 bumper would be a different shape than yours since you have because of these much larger braces

[doug_b_928]

I should clarify, the braces pictured essentially bridge the back side of the bumper (where the bumperettes bolt on) and the front side of the bumper bracket (opposite side of the bracket to where the dog bones go). I should have taken a pic of them in situ. Sorry I’m not doing a good job of explaining this…

[bdstone914]

I should clarify, the braces pictured essentially bridge the back side of the bumper (where the bumperettes bolt on) and the front side of the bumper bracket (opposite side of the bracket to where the dog bones go). I should have taken a pic of them in situ. Sorry I’m not doing a good job of explaining this…

They are OE and i dont use them. All they do is dent the front panel. I dont the bumperettes either. Without them you have a few mire inches before you hit something.
If you hit anything with the bumperettes it bends the bumper.