The one up top is a front bumper could be found on a BMW 68-73 E3 BAVARIA 2500 2800 3.0 3.3  

The one behind it is a '73 240z.

Thematically they seem to be on the same page, surprisingly the steel is the same gauge but I would be surprised if they were made of identical steel.

The BMW bumper is much more stout and the better quality is evident, I guess the late 60's early 70's Japanese production philospophy of "How cheap can we make it and how much can we make?" was in play.

Similar application of rubber, however there are pre-1968 Z designs with similar bumper and rubber over rider  design. Convergence rather than copying  I think.

 

 

Yes I have seen the pictures. BMW bumper guards had rubber back into the early 60's.

I guess the question for me now is who was being more derivative, BMW or Datsun?

Perhaps the design was somewhat common like a steering wheel or door handle.

Would this be the Albrecht Goertz contribution??

A lot of common aspects of design back then.

 

The A550X wheel well shape with more opening in back is similar to the Z.

 

I think Mr. Carl Beck enlightened me vis a vis  the A550x to 240z design "evolution".

 

A550x vs. 240z