Simply it looks so much better, why not use a rose joint? The brace is there to help prevent the strut tops moving on the horizontal plane, no brace solid or jointed, will prevent any vertical movement, the nut and bolt on solid brace ends will just pivot no matter how tight it is with the weight of the car bearing down on it under cornering.

All braces work along their axis, so it doesn't matter how they are attached at the ends, in the case of a Mk1 engine bay brace it is helping prevent the strut towers moving closer together or further apart.

Hi Steve, yes i have noticed a difference with the brace fitted, the rear feels tighter to me.