I cannot speak for the engineer who designed them but I will say that from my experience those bars were put there in part at least to provide a bit of insurance from the bellhousing/trans bolts from loosening and creating problems for the consumer. Likewise, given that these were/are unibody cars the engine and trans become a part of the overall structure of the car to a point and I believe that these bars were a part of that concept.
As far as whether or not they are important or needed, well I would say that the vast majority of 60's, 70's and perhaps 80's cars don't have them if they were ever messed with (hot rodded, engine pulled, etc.) so from a strength aspect I do not think they lend any value. I am not saying you shouldn't use them, I am saying that if you don't have them your engine and trans are not going to break in half.
I will say this up front, I once cracked a 727 case doing a burnout because the bolts had loosened up and the trans was flopping around some, had I had these bars that probably wouldn't have happened (although I couldn't use the drivers side due to the headers).
Put another way, they will not hurt anything so long as they fit, therefore use them if you have them.