What were rear bumper splash panels for?

[Tofufi]

As the title says really...

Do they stop rain water spraying off the wheels towards car behind, or dripping from the bodywork perhaps?

Never had them on my van, just wondered why they were fitted.

Were they fitted to all bays originally?

 

[Clem]

All earlys and crossovers should have them, I assume they stop the spray goung up the van from the rear wheels. I like then as they hold the bumper in place at the ends.

 

[Araon]

There to hold the bumper ends rigid and contain the splash....vintage multi tasking..

 

[Tofufi]

Cool

Presumably, the brrackets my bay has holding the rear bumper to the bodywork aren't original then :lol:

I've never noticed any splash, but I now have mudflaps

 

[clyde]

Dont think the water will splash up the rear corners much due to the distance from the rear wheel. I think it stops the build up of crud inside the inner bumper and they do a good job of holding the bumper in place in the corners.
Lots of Vans have them missing due i think to the fact they are a git to fit correctly on what is an already heavy bit of kit (bumpers, mounts and splash pans not to mention over riders if youve got them all have to be bolted in together)