It’s not very clear what’s happening here, but it appears that the men are demonstrating some sort of safety scoop on the front of this car. Nevertheless … bizarre.
Source: Shorpy
Unusual Safety Device Demonstration on Car in 1924 Washington, D.C.
Car hits you with that thing attached, here’s what happens: Your feet get trapped under the bottom of the cowcatcher, preventing you from bouncing off the car, and it proceeds to run you over, with the cowcatcher ripping into your body as the car passes over you.