NOS Front latch panel, Parts research Options

[peteyd]

I have this NOS front latch panel here. It is unique in that it has an extra lip on the front.

I also have an NOS from clip that I know is from a 70-71 car as it has the unique impressions from that MY.

I have checked my boneyard where I have MY 72, 73, 74. None of these cars has this front lip.

It also has five little square impressions when looking face on.

So I'm trying to determine what year this lip came on cars, and its actually function.

I'm thinking that it could have started in 1975?

Can anyone confirm this and also its function?

Thanks,

Pete

[mb911]

how can it be late but yet not have the bumper shock holes like the late but rather have the bumper bolt holes for the 70-74 bumpers?

[mepstein]

how can it be late but yet not have the bumper shock holes like the late but rather have the bumper bolt holes for the 70-74 bumpers?

Good catch. Interesting question. Maybe a Porsche replacement panel that was made to fit all cars after some mods to fit the particular model year. Definitely late with the extra lip to hold the big bumper covers in place. Strange….

[SirAndy]

how can it be late but yet not have the bumper shock holes like the late but rather have the bumper bolt holes for the 70-74 bumpers?

Good catch. Interesting question. Maybe a Porsche replacement panel that was made to fit all cars after some mods to fit the particular model year. Definitely late with the extra lip to hold the big bumper covers in place. Strange….

I'm pretty sure the shock absorbers were US mandate only. I vaguely recall euro spec cars not having them.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[wonkipop]

how can it be late but yet not have the bumper shock holes like the late but rather have the bumper bolt holes for the 70-74 bumpers?

Good catch. Interesting question. Maybe a Porsche replacement panel that was made to fit all cars after some mods to fit the particular model year. Definitely late with the extra lip to hold the big bumper covers in place. Strange….

I'm pretty sure the shock absorbers were US mandate only. I vaguely recall euro spec cars not having them.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

see post #6.
its a euro front panel.
the big bumpers were mounted on dog bones in ROW.
same as earlier cars. you can see the dog bone mount drilled holes either side.

[Root_Werks]

how can it be late but yet not have the bumper shock holes like the late but rather have the bumper bolt holes for the 70-74 bumpers?

Good catch. Interesting question. Maybe a Porsche replacement panel that was made to fit all cars after some mods to fit the particular model year. Definitely late with the extra lip to hold the big bumper covers in place. Strange….

I'm pretty sure the shock absorbers were US mandate only. I vaguely recall euro spec cars not having them.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

see post #6.
its a euro front panel.
the big bumpers were mounted on dog bones in ROW.
same as earlier cars. you can see the dog bone mount drilled holes either side.

That would be an easy way to shed 30lbs, just swap from shocks to dogbones.

[mepstein]

how can it be late but yet not have the bumper shock holes like the late but rather have the bumper bolt holes for the 70-74 bumpers?

Good catch. Interesting question. Maybe a Porsche replacement panel that was made to fit all cars after some mods to fit the particular model year. Definitely late with the extra lip to hold the big bumper covers in place. Strange….

I'm pretty sure the shock absorbers were US mandate only. I vaguely recall euro spec cars not having them.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

see post #6.
its a euro front panel.
the big bumpers were mounted on dog bones in ROW.
same as earlier cars. you can see the dog bone mount drilled holes either side.

That would be an easy way to shed 30lbs, just swap from shocks to dogbones.

I weighed everything a couple years ago. If I remember correctly, one bumper was 38, one was 42 and the shocks were about 9lb per pair. I’d have to re weight it all to be sure.