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

[DRPHIL914]

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

@peteyd
defintely a late front for 75-76,
RE function wise, for the big rubber bumper cover, i think the original covers had a lip or tab under it that would hold onto that to hold them down and into place, - its beena while since i back dated my bumpers and cut that off, along with the side tabs that also were added for late cars that held onto the side tabs uder the rubber cover and held it tighter to the body on the sides,