womble99 wrote:
What difference would it make being on the guard to being on the door? It still protrudes the same distance and is on the side of the car?
I'm not sure if they'd have a problem with it, but they do have a problem with scoops, emblems, gauges, anything really mounted to the bonnet/guards that sticks out. Their philosophy from the last time I spoke to someone about it (was looking at running air filters out the bonnet) is that if you run over someone, that person slides up the bonnet or over the guards and will catch on anything that protrudes greater than 50mm and tear that person open. While I understand this for things on the very front of the car (fishing rod holders, bonnet mascots/emblems) I don't see their reasoning when it moves further down the car. If you've been hit hard enough to be sliding over the bonnet I think you have bigger things to worry about than a bonnet scoop or gauge.
Look at things like the Jaguar emblem/mascot. Old style was solid mounted and I could see how that could cause someone some damage in an accident. Answer was to make the jaguar spring loaded so if you hit it, it moves around and shouldn't cause as much damage. Then they just moved to a badge (probably cost related more than anything).
As I say, I don't know if they'd have a problem, or what the rules are in other states. Inspectors will probably be cool with it, or they might not. I know I've been defected/questioned over silly things before, just depends on their mood

Cheers,
Keels.