Why don't they manufacture cars with an exposed metal bumper now days?

Question

I love the way an exposed bumper looks. The last car that I really remember seeing one on was the '96 Ford Bronco - now they all have plastic and fiber glass around them.... why?

Answer 1

Air Flow. Less air flow means less MPG.

The first use of the "body bumper" was used on the Pontiac GTO 1968. It was called ENDURA.

If you take a look at my web page you can see it on my 1972 GTO.

Pontiac got tons of awards for it for many years.

Answer 2

President Reagan bowed to the pressures from the auto industry and signed away the V-5 collision rating for bumpers which means no visable damage at a 5 MPH collision.

What made the V-5 rating great was low insurance costs and added safety. Now instead of replacing a $200 bumper, you are into $1,200 in parts and paint and labor unless you are in a more expensive car and this can run in the $5,000-12K range. A fender bender now can cost more than a new car cost when they all had V-5 rated bumpers in the good old days. The auto companies want to sell more parts and pieces when you get in a crash, not just bumpers.

Good Luck!