Question about Board Support in Front Trunk, Was this support on all year models? Options

[Craigers17]

So I am doing a lot of sanding/bodywork on my 76' project, and in the front trunk I noticed that it does NOT have what I am calling the "semi-circular" metal that supports the front part of the trunk board. My project has, at some point, taken a pretty good shot to the passenger right fender, and has been somewhat repaired. The headlight fixtures have also been removed. I ASSUME that is why the pieces I am referring to are no longer there.

That being said, I started looking up random pics of the trunk area in other 914's and noticed several that have the same missing metalwork. So my question is twofold, ....1.was this piece of metalwork omitted on some years and/or race models?, and 2. Is it structurally important that it be replaced?

I realize, in general, the more structural support, the better.... thanks in advance for any input. I have enclosed two pics of my car, and a couple others that I found on the internet. The LIGHT BLUE one, has what I would call the correct metalwork in it.

-Craig [attachmentid=618
888]