I bought a replacement front valance for my car and it does not have a mounting bracket that is welded in the one that was on the car (on the center portion). Why did Pontiac make 2 different valances for the 67? What is the purpose of the additional bracket?

There was only one 67 valance and I don't recall a brace welded in. You have a picture. Maybe someone welded a brace to yours.

I was thinking the same thing. The repro valance I put on my '67 was exactly the same as the original I replaced. The original was pretty good with only a dent or two, but the reproduction piece was so nice - I went with that instead.

Here is a picture of the valances laid on top of one another. The one that came with the car had the center section bracket, the one I bought to replace it did not.

Also, I was looking on EBay and there is a picture of a valance for sale that has the center bracket. Which one is correct and what is the difference?

I'm stumped. Perhaps one is '67 and one is '68?

My '68 has that bracket. It holds the valance to the hood latch support. I have washers between to shim it to keep from distorting the valance.

Yes, my extra valance has that bracket.

And then I found this on EBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Pontiac-Firebird-400-Sprint-NOS-Lower-Front-Valance-9789297-/131855399194?hash=item1eb331b91a:g:WX0AAOSwnNBXadlG&vxp=mtr

I have no idea what, if anything, mounted to that bracket. I have the whole front end off back to the firewall so time will tell..

Link created...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Pontiac-Fir...dlG&vxp=mtr

The hood latch support bolts to it like Jim posted above. You have to have that piece.

Oops.

1) I went back through my disassembly photos and yes, I can see a bracket of some kind with two holes on my original front valance and where it bolts to the center support bracket.

2) I went through my '67 Camaro assembly manual. Camaro valances have sheet metal across the two radiator openings created a boxed opening:
Camaro Standard Front Valance

I wish I could verify completely based on my original and the one on repro on my car, but the former is up in the attic and the latter is with the car in the paint shop.