1974 Rear bumper unused holes

[kram350kram]

In the chrome rear bumper I have there are two 3/8" diameter holes equally spaced each side of the license plate location in the chrome rear bumper. Anyone know what these holes are there for? Seems like a lot of cars, twin cam specials have these? Was going to weld them up before re-chroming the bumper?   

[BDA]

The four holes in the "peak" of the bumper is for mounting. The other two holes (the ones I think you're referring to) are not used.

[Roger]

I suspect they were used for number plate mounting in their original British Ford usage.

[4129R]

A picture to explain.

[Certified Lotus]

 I welded those holes before chrome plating. Makes the bumper look more “finished”.  If your a “keep it original fan, just ignore me. 

[bert knip]

That is a nice picture of a Ford Cortina, but it is not the type where Colin sourced the bumper from.
The bumper is from a later Cortina, as far as I know.
I bought new stainless bumpers from Asia, they look great, even came with the bolts.  ($650) a year ago, free shipping, took 6 days.
They sell lots of differend sets, not a set for a lotus europa, but I presuadet them to sell an Anglia and a Cortina bumper.
Even advised them to advertise with a lotus europa set, because it might boost business for them.

[4129R]

The Mk 2 Cortina.

I rest my case.

The Mk 3 Cortina started production in 1970.

[4129R]

More evidence. Let the jury decide.

[tedtaylor]

for the knowledgeable out there.....
those two inward holes on the Europa bumper were originally fitted with little poly/rubber "buttons" as I would describe them.  Very original cars will have them, but I have never seen a replacement part to equal/replicate them.  Next time you see the buttons in place, you should compliment the owner for retaining its original specification.
FYI only.

[lotusfanatic]

The bumpers are as follows:

Ford Anglia 105E front bumper = Europa front bumper
Ford Cortina Mk1 front bumper = Europa rear bumper

[4129R]

The bumpers are as follows:

Ford Anglia 105E front bumper = Europa front bumper
Ford Cortina Mk1 front bumper = Europa rear bumper

Agreed.

I phoned up a chrome plating company located in the shadow of Wembley Stadium.

He asked me what bumpers I had.

I told him a 105E and a MkI Cortina.

He said "So you have a Lotus Europa then".

[Nisswa Collision]

I paid to have mine removed and the bumper looks great. However, now after making the decision to leave the offset license & lamps realize it was a mistake. An easily repaired mistake tho, I have a spare original rear bumper. I never realized the rear bumper was actually a front bumper prior to learning from you fellows. Thanks.

[BobW]

Yeah, I still have the little rubber fill buttons on the rear bumper. I've grown used to them  . If I remember, the Cortina front bumper is upside-down on the rear of the Europa. Or is the inverted one the Anglia bumper?

[lotusfanatic]

The Anglia 105E front bumper is used the same way up on the front of the Europa.
I have always thought that it looks very neat where the bumper blends into the intake shape below it