Abstract: A vehicle body member of a closed sectional construction extending in the widthwise direction of a vehicle body is provided between right and left roof pillars of a vehicle body. A cowl unit which comprises cowl member, at least a windshield wiper system is mounted thereon, and an instrument panel unit which comprises at least an instrument panel, a steering system, a brake pedal, a brake pedal bracket, and a brake multiplier are inserted from the top and the rear of the vehicle body respectively. By this arrangement, both units are mounted to the vehicle body separately with higher mounting efficiency and accordingly, the configuration of the side part of the instrument panel can be maintained. Also, the resistance to collision shock can be improved by restricting both units moving to the rear in a head-on collision by the above vehicle body member.

Abstract: A vehicle body side member of a closed sectional construction extending in the widthwise direction of a vehicle body is provided between right and left roof pillars of a vehicle body and a first unit which comprises at least a cowl member and a windshield wiper system provided in the cowl member and a second unit which comprises at least an instrument panel and a steering system are mounted in the front of the vehicle body side member and in the rear of the vehicle body side member respectively. By this arrangement, the assembling operation of members and systems attached around a dash panel can be easier and accordingly, the simpler and faster operation can be planned. Also, the endurance efficiency for collision shock can be improved by restricting both units moving to the rear on a head-on collision by the above vehicle body side member.