<VV> "structural integrity"

[airvair]

Actually, it's stronger than it looks. My buddy Mike McKeel has a LM 
4door that had been T-boned on the left side, and it held up remarkably 
well. Don't know the circumstances in the crash, but the degree of the 
car's damage protection is impressive.

It's been acknowledged before on this list that the 4door is a more 
ridgid shell than a coupe.

-Mark C

mhicks130@cox.net wrote:

>>Message: 1
>>From: Wrsssatty@aol.com
>>Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 10:06:59 EST
>>To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
>>Subject: <VV> "structural integrity"
>>
>><My problem is with structural integrity (or lack there of) with a rag top.  I
>>like a roof with an old car as I feel it does a great deal to "solidify" the
>>car.  This can be especially important when old metal starts to get rusty.  I
>>have been told in the past that the door pillar that exists in a 4 door makes
>>it the stiffest platform of all.  
>>*snip*
>>I think
>>that my Canadian made four door is a rare commodity indeed - as it was one of
>>less than 900 built in 65>
>>
>>What door pillar?  If your Corvair was built in '65 it's a late model and a 
>>hardtop and therefore doesn't have a B pillar!  If structural integrity is all 
>>that important to you and you want a Corvair, get an early 4-door. 
>>
>>Bill Stanley
>>
>>--__--__--
>>
>>    
>>
>There is too a B pillar - it just doesn't go all the way to the roof is all.  The poor thing, saying it doesn't even exist.  What would hold the rear doors on fer goodness sake?
>
>Does it add structural rigidity?  Probably a little more than not having it at all but nowhere near as much as connecting it to the roof would.
>
>mike