Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle bumper assembly is provided which includes at least two rigid mounting members with rigid rectangular plates attached to the distal ends of each of the mounting members. Resilient energy absorbing means are attached to the face of each of the plates. A bumper beam comprising a generally hollow channel member having a generally rectangular cross section with an open, longitudinally extending groove in its rear side is mounted over the plates and energy absorbing means with the distal ends of the mounting members in the beam groove so that the bumper beam will move toward the mounting members when an external load is exerted on the beam and will return to its original position when the load is removed.