Hey Papaduster,
That metal strip is on all A-Bodyrallye dashes from 67-71 . When you put the screw in from underneath the bezel, it tightens against this srrip to hold it to the metal dash frame. Without it, you would be tightening up against the plastic bezel only which would quickly punch through and the come loose.
Hope this makes sense and helps!!
Cheers!
