On Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:45:12 -0800, David Nebenzahl
wrote:

See attached pic (small GIF).

I've found two of these the last few days, one small (~1"), the other
several times larger. Just wondering what the proper name for them is.

(Please disregard mis-drawn left-hand threads.)
One of my cars came with 2 of those. I believe they are used for
towing. There are 2 small round tabs in the plastic bumper. If you
remove the tabs, you can insert these things and use them to pull the
car.