Chrome bars on E-types

Why do so many US supplied E-types have these IMO rather ugly bars attached front and rear? I've not seen them on other than US cars, or maybe that is just my impression? Do they perform any actual function, or were they just a "fashion accessory"?

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Those “Amco bars” (named after the company that sold them) were designed to protect the nose and rear of your E-type from careless drivers while you were paralleled park. Other drivers couldn’t see the E-type in their mirrors as they backed up since these cars are so low.

In fact, they were virtually useless in providing even a modicum of protection.

Happily, virtually no one parallel parks an E-type anymore.

Alan
N.J.

 

I never got a kick out of them, as Im still doing close to a 1,000 miles a month in my 1967 coupe!
In New York and the glass isnt bullet proof!!!!

 

I have them on mine, I'm not a fan of them. However, in my cramped garage, they do work well at keeping the front of the bonnet from getting scratched, I assumed that's what they were for.