Side impact beams were a DOT requirement to get the car certified and released as a legal gray market import in those days.

The registered importer had it done. Along with some of the other DOT requirements, like getting rid of the euro bumpers, euro headlights, first aid kit, safety warning triangle and fulfilling all the legal requirements that the DOT, in its infinite wisdom, laid down.

Don't you like lawyers building your car? And government lawyers, at that?

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)