Why do US Porsches have "bumperettes"...??

I assume its a crash standard regulation deal. You're right, they look like crap.

 

Yep.........it is our govenrment looking out for us. Same deal up here as well.

 

well then and must be it. The govt does know best!

 

Those are actually nothing compared to the 1973 bumperettes (big rubber blocks) and the 1974-1989 "accordion" bumpers.

The repeal of the 5 mph U.S. bumper law in 1985 or so pulled automotive design out of a tailspin. Before that, we had the horrible rubber-bumpered MGBs, the rubber battering rams on the Ferrari 308, the big rubber bars on the Triumph TR7/TR8, etc. That repeal paved the way for the 993 and Ferrari 328.

I guess it would be nice to get by without even those little bumps by the license plate (which look very 928-ish), but in the grand scheme of things I think they're pretty minor.

My other thought is that they solve a design problem for the States, where our license plates aren't as wide. Would be cleaner without them, but just a thought.

 

Shhh

There are those who will believe it.

 

They are for a USA regulation for sure.

To my understanding the bumperette regulation is that if the car is hit at under 5 MPH the damage to the car shall be ZERO dollars to repair. The bumperettes are there to make the car adhere to that regulation. You can thank the insurance industry & their lobbyist for this rule as if there is no damage in the 5 MPH impact then the insurance company is out zero dollars. Good for them 'eh? You get bumperettes, they get fewer claims to pay.

Now here is a weird twist for you... I actually like the bumperettes on Porsche's. I think when body color they are pretty well executed.
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I was just thinking that too, I don't mind or really notice the newer ones.....maybe thats because I've never seen one in person without them before too.

 

What would happen if you took them off?

Does someone go to jail or something? People 'mod' their cars all the time...

Just sayin'

Mike in Kuwait

 

I removed mine from my 928, much cleaner look. The DOT is responsible for a lot of unnecessary ugly crap for sure.

 

Lots of people up here take them off and fill the holes.

 

Same government meddling that caused those awful (and useless) third rear brake lights.

As long as we are on the subject, does anybody else dislike the angled parting line on the rear quarters of the 997 as opposed to the horizontal lines on the 996 and all the 911 types?

I think it just looks kind of "off".

 

Bumperette saved my stupid @ss as I tried to backout of the garage without putting the door up.

Bumperette got a half moon screw head impression from the door and saved the bumper.

And it's all because the car has no dipstick!

I sat there for the required 5 seconds to let the dash gauge do it's little dance and by then I had forgotten I didnn't raise the door!

 

Many things keep me awake at night, and this wouldn't be among them.

 

I think the bumperettes look good. They are obviously functional (beauty in function), and purposefully serve to break up an otherwise bland rear bumper.

My .02

 

i think these actually look OK at least theyre integrated a little.

the ones on the front of the 993 on the other hand, talk about ruining the look of the car.