Ram protection, bull bar: why not?

[bike]

Just occurred to me that the Interceptor in MM1 had no front ram protection even though ramming seemed to be a standard way of interception? Bull bar or similar? Same also in the opening scenes of MM2 where Max reactivates the blower and rams the landau? Front of car has lights radiator cooler water pump steering pump etc so why take the risk? Why no bull bar?

[MFP1]

Just fan speculation on this one from me. 1st film, cars that were designed for less troubled times put into service as needed by the crumbling MFP department. New tactics with old equipment. Plus, meta explanation, how about that close up of the bumpers on the Yellow Interceptor and Nightriders stolen HQ Monaro Pursuit Special rubbing at high speed? Exquisite cinema right there....
2nd movie, well old habits die hard for officer Rockatanski and survival takes precedence in the moment, even if your rare last of the V8s has a irreplaceable piece of fiberglass up front..... or from the meta prospective, sure was dang dramatic seeing the nosecone smashed off on the back of the Landau. And how about all the fun people have had seeing the brief shot of the noseconeless interceptor approaching before bashing the nose off? 2nd take anyone?

[Taipan]

Max's Yellow Interceptor had a bull bar (or something akin to that) in the original version of the script. In the scene where he plays chicken with the Nightrider the bullbar would've clipped the Monaro's rear view mirror as he zoomed past him.

I think they opted out of this idea because:

1. The cars looked cleaner and cooler without it
2. It was cheaper not to install them
3. Removing them introduced an element of uncertainty if the cars are going to keep going or not. Especially with Roop and Charlie who crashed their car twice and somehow it still kept going.

As for Max smashing the front end of the BoB - that scene always pissed me off. That car was supposed to be Max's home, something he worked on and lived in for 3 years and the moment he's in yet another chase he just smashes the front like it's nothing. I know it's about survival and all but it was unnecessary, he could've PIT maneuvered the Landau right into the trailer.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

Novelization was written from the original script and it described all of the MFP Cars as Black on Black with bullbars.

I imagine the original intent was to put bullbars on all the cars, but changes were made.. probably due to budget.