CW hitch install?

Swinging that rear door open is a pain though.

That’s probably a better tow vehicle than some I’ve seen. Caprice Classic station wagon from the early 80’s?

Way back when, the bumpers were made out of real thick steel, and lots of it. We used to use the universal type hitches that bolted/clamped on to the existing bumper all of the time to haul boats, etc.
In this case, I would say that the steel plate is the strongest part of the whole hitch and probably has more steel in it than the bumper does. :B

I wonder if the two chains tied around the bumper are for the safety chains.

By the looks of the tailgate I'd say he missed a few times.