They are part of the cold start (aka fast warm up) system. A aluminum flex hose connects them to the heat shield on the exhaust manifolds. When cold, the flaps close, forcing air to be drawn up around the outside of the exh. manifolds (they are first to get hot) and through the tinwork, up the flex hose and into the air cleaner.
A vacuum hose connects the flap to a thermal switch on the intake. When the thermal switch is satisfied (coolant sufficiently warm) it opens the flaps and air is drawn through the snorkels in normal fashion.
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