Abstract: A vehicle construction comprises a series of modules which can be individually fabricated and assembled to include vehicle operating components before the modules are combined in the final assembly of the vehicle. An underbody module, including a passenger platform is preferably integrally constructed with a chassis frame comprising a pair of longitudinal rails sandwiched between upper and lower flooring panels and extending longitudinally beyond the flooring panels, is a support structure for the remaining modules. A second module comprising a cowl having a windshield frame integrally constructed with a dash panel frame provides structural support for vehicle controls and adjacent modules or body panels. Preferably, the underbody and cowl modules are joined by additional structural supports to form a cage enclosing passenger area of the vehicle. A third module encloses the vehicle area in front of the passenger compartment and a fourth module encloses the area behind the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A rail assembly which is especially advantageous for use in constructing the frame and underbody of a motor vehicle comprises an upper channel member, a lower channel member and an intermediate member or web in the form of a corrugated sheet secured between the channel members and whose margins abuttingly engage the peripheral walls of the channels. Each furrow and ridge preferably comprises a planar panel portion.

Abstract: A vehicle body roof construction of the disclosure includes an improved edge structure adjacent closure members thereof such as a side door or rear tailgate and also includes an improved pillar structure for supporting a roof panel whose edge portions are stamped to define integrally connected flanges that constitute components of the improved roof edge structure. At the side and rear edge portions of the roof panel, roof inner members have extreme outer edges secured to extreme outer edges of the roof panel so as to cooperate therewith in providing a side roof rail and a tailgate header that define the upper extremities of side door and tailgate openings, respectively. An associated side door and a tailgate are mounted for movement between open and closed positions and include upper window frames that overlie the adjacent roof panel edge portion in their closed position. Pillars support the side edge portion of the roof panel at its juncture with the rear and front edge portions of the roof panel.

Abstract: A vehicle air deflector of the disclosure includes an air scoop mounted by an adjustable connection on a support portion of a support member that also has a mounting portion which is positioned between an associated vehicle side door and a detachable exterior rear view mirror support of the door. The adjustable connection for mounting the air scoop is preferably of the ball and socket type so as to permit adjustment of the horizontal and vertical directions of air deflection independently of each other. As disclosed, the rear view mirror and air deflector are located adjacent a front inclined edge of the side door window. The air scoop of the deflector has a curved shape and is positionable in a streamlined position so as to be concave in a downwardly and inwardly facing direction. In this streamlined position, a curved forward and upper edge and a curved rear edge cooperate to give the air scoop a swept-back shape.