under hood brace Anyone fab a one piece unit?

Help me out....what is the purpose /function of the factory brace.

along with the 5mph (100 lb) bumpers, later with shock absorbers attached....was it to reduce crash damage ($$$) ? They only appeared in 73 and after, the same time the first 2-1/2 mph bumpers showed up.

Where they attach on the fender mount I do not see and other reason.....anyone?