Abstract: A vehicle body structure having a pillar member maintains the shape of a pillar member in a substantially linear state when the pillar member deforms inward toward the passenger compartment during a side collision. The pillar member has a collision force converting structure that is constituted by the curved shape of the pillar member. When a side collision force is imparted to the pillar member, the collision force converting structure converts it into and maintains it as a force acting on the pillar member in the lengthwise direction of the pillar member. Thus, the collision force is absorbed as a lengthwise compressive load in the pillar member. A shape maintaining structure restricts the inward deformation of the pillar member 3 toward the passenger compartment and holds the pillar member in a substantially linear shape to increase the efficiency with which the collision load is transferred to the side roof rail and side sill.