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I have a '35 Twelve, and I've noticed that only some of the '35 Twelves have a bumper bracket—— the plate immediately behind the bumper. In the cars that have it, it's generally a straight black metal plate between the two ends of the frame where the bumper attaches.

See these two pictures, one has it, one doesn't.








Curious if someone knows if they all came with that bracket, or maybe some didn't? I don't know of it being an option. It's not obvious that it does anything, but maybe it helps secure the heavy front bumper? But I see it removed on a bunch of cars with concours winning restorations, so I am reluctant to say those cars are "wrong."

Any ideas?

UPDATE: One reason that I don't use this forum too often is that I've always had trouble attaching photos. Looks like I still don't know.

Maybe I'll try this with public links:

This car doesn't have it:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1935_Pac ... oupe_Roadster_%2821560223020%29.jpg

If you scan through the photos, this car has it:
classiccars.com/listings/view/1375050/19 ... -sale-in-saint-louis-missouri-63146

Can't help there, my dads is a 36

The front bumper looks the same, with the springs end caps.

My dad machined aluminum brackets. Spacers. Like a block.


That bumper weights a ton.

Attach file:

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  20250705_194337.jpg (4,344.63 KB)

Thanks, R H. I'm 99% sure the 36 Twelves used the same bumper.

Yes, the bumper is super heavy— I'm guessing around 75 pounds. The metal support bracket that is behind it is also heavy — probably 20 pounds.