Abstract: The present car door has an interior panel forming simultaneously a frame, nd an exterior panel. Hinges and a lock base plate are secured to the frame. Two supporting rails are pivotally secured to the frame. One rail extends substantially horizontally between the upper hinge zone and the lock base plate. The other rail extends at an angle relative to the one rail from the lower hinge zone to the lock base plate. A cable which is expandable in a nonreversible manner extends at least along one of the rails, preferably along the horizontal rail. The cable has a loop at each end. A bolt which also journals the respective rail end to the frame extends through the respective loop of the cable.

Abstract: The present door, such as a motor vehicle door, has a central member extending from the hinges to the lock. The central member carries an interior and an exterior door panel. The central member is a body of compound synthetic hard foam material having embedded therein an energy absorbing element. Additionally, the central member is encased in two shells. This structure is lightweight and yet stiff against shearing and torsion loads as well as impact forces.