Bottom of Mansfield bumper missing

What’s a Mansfield bumper?

 

Rear dot bumper. Old hand driver slang. Named after Jane Mansfield who in 1967 died when her boyfriend drove under a slow moving tractor frailer. 1968 Ralph Nadar got the dot bumper for trailers regulation passed.

 

Yes you can be put out of service for it if it is the trailing trailer in a set. It is a safety defect.

 

All the years around my dad and grandfather and their buddies I’d never heard that term. They always called it the ICC bar. Learn something new everyday

 

Growing up I was always told that the chrome nekked lady silhouette that has always been put on mudflaps popped up on the scene shortly after the accident as another tribute to her. But my research over the years has come up with another theory on that.

 

No. Those things first showed up in the late 1970's. Back when Jane died in 1967, putting something as 'suggestive' as that on your truck likely would've got you arrested for public lewdness, especially in the South, although I'm sure Boston cops would also write you up for it. As to whether the silhouette is supposed to actually be Jane, it might be......

 

Pretty suggestive for 1972 I’d say chrome silhouette was around prior to that

 

Let’s hear your theory Your always good for a learning experience