Why Did Bulky Bumpers Disappear from Cars?

If you've ever operated a bumper car at an amusement park, you're likely familiar with its defining element—the bumper. This component is intended to cushion collisions, safeguarding riders inside the bumper cars. Similarly, the bumpers of regular automobiles have undergone significant changes since these vehicles were initially introduced. There has been considerable alteration in government rules governing them...

If you've ever operated a bumper car at an amusement park, you're likely familiar with their signature component—the bumper. This piece of equipment is intended to cushion collisions, safeguarding riders inside the fun-filled cars. Similarly, bumpers on regular automobiles have undergone significant advancements since those early days when cars first appeared on streets.

A significant change in federal bumper rules began with vehicles of the 1973 model year, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Federal Motor Vehicle Vehicle The Safety Standard "Standard No. 215" was implemented. Car manufacturers were required to demonstrate that their vehicles could withstand a 5-mph frontal crash without sustaining damage, leading to an urgent redesign effort.

Even the legendary Lamborghini Countach Was not exempt for U.S. versions, and underwent rhinoplasty deemed as sacrilege towards the legendary supercar. To comply with regulations, unsightly bumper additions were placed at the front of the Countach; perhaps it’s better if we collectively try to forget this look altogether.

The unpleasant aspect of bumper progression

Regulation Number 215 wasn't exactly a favorite among many, as you could probably guess, yet avoiding it just wasn't an option. As such, car creators were left pondering their next steps. While this rule did push progress backward in certain aspects, it also opened doors for innovative technologies to thrive.

From a design standpoint, before the implementation of the 5-mph bumper regulation, the prevailing trend for typical vehicles was incorporating the bumper seamlessly into the car’s general aesthetic," explained Wayne Cherry, Vice President of Design at General Motors. "The bumpers were being positioned further inward, integrated deeply within the vehicle body, and became an integral component of the entire frontal appearance. in an interview with Hagerty The requirement for bumpers to withstand impacts at speeds up to 5 mph hindered the progress of integrating bumper design into overall vehicle aesthetics for almost twenty years. This mandate also accelerated the advancement of flexible materials, elevating the incorporation of bumper design to a higher dimension.

From 1973 to 1982, vehicles became heavier as a result of adding substantial bumpers. However, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revised the bumper standards, things shifted once more. By 1983, the regulatory limits were adjusted to withstand impacts at speeds up to 2.5 mph from the front and 1.5 mph from the rear corners.

Bumpers come as a default component on every vehicle," says Vince Galante, Vice President of Jeep Design. "Today, they're often discreetly hidden beneath layers of exterior trim to enhance both looks and airflow, coupled with foam padding for shock absorption and safeguarding during minor collisions. Nevertheless, there remain notable instances of visible bumpers, such as those made from steel found on certain models. Jeep Wrangler And like "Gladiator," these bumpers serve both practical purposes and offer modularity. They enable you to add features such as winches, tow hooks, detachable end caps, bull bars, and additional lights."

Today’s bumpers

Jon Ruud, who serves as the senior manager of Safety Performance Engineering at Nissan Technical Center North America—the company's research and development site in Metropolitan Detroit—notes that bumper designs might not be as noticeable nowadays. Nonetheless, he asserts that these components continue to fulfill their purpose through more sophisticated methods, reflecting advancements made by the engineering team over time.

Ruud points out at Nissan, they incorporate three key components when designing and testing their cars: (1) a plastic front panel, (2) dense foam for absorbing impact energy, and (3) an underlying metallic bumper reinforcement. This configuration aids in reducing harm during minor collisions as well as offering enhanced safety in more severe accidents.

Safety standards have progressed, and consequently, so have our designs," Ruud states. "We continuously seek methods to strike a balance between safety, longevity, and the aesthetic appeal our clients desire. Despite not having an outwardly visible metallic bumper, the essential impact-resistant frameworks remain intact to function effectively when needed.

In a passionate diatribe on Jalopnik Regretting the loss of bumpers, journalist Jason Torchinsky asserts that bumpers aren't valued as much as they should be.

“He notes that a bumper ought to be forgiving. Ideally, it should endure slight harm without this damage becoming apparent. Its purpose is to self-sacrifice at minimal cost to shield the painted and costly sections of the vehicle. The material used for the bumper needs to maintain an attractive appearance despite some wear like scuffs and scrapes; hence, those much-maligned black rubber bumpers we often despise turn out to be the finest option available.”

Absolutely, bumper designs deserve recognition. However, I must oppose his opinion regarding the black rubber variants. This is particularly true for the Lamborghini Countach.

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