Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic construction member, in particular an impact-absorbing external body panel, such as an engine hood or mudguard for a motor vehicle. The body panel is formed of a sandwich construction having inner and outer skins bonded to a soft core of, for example, hard foam, a honeycomb structure or paper webs. The connection between the surface of the skins and that of the core is selectively interrupted. In this way, crumple zones are formed in selected regions of the body panel.

Abstract: A side member support is provided for the front part of a self-supporting motor vehicle bodywork of the type having a floor panel comprising a tunnel. On each side of the front part of the vehicle, front side members which are formed from side member panels and have a box-type section and which are each divided in the region of the dashboard or the front part of the floor panel into two bifurcate side member arms. In conjunction with the floor panel the arms form box-type sections, and the side member arm towards the inside of the vehicle adjoins the vehicle tunnel and the side member arm towards the outside of the vehicle adjoins the sill. The front side members are formed from two side member panels integrally with the bifurcate side member arms, and the two side member arms are joined in the lower region of their forking by means of a strongly profiled reinforcement panel.

Abstract: A body side wall for motor vehicles, in particular for passenger cars and station wagons, which includes a rear side door opening and a rear pillar formed adjacent the vehicle rear wheel opening from inner and outer panels of the side wall together with a reinforcement panel. The invention wall construction includes a one-piece reinforcement panel which is formed in a U-shape and is positioned adjacent the door opening extending from the roof frame along the rear pillar and the front part of the wheel housing, the reinforcement panel being connected to the side wall inner panel and the side wall outer panel to form a box support extending from the roof frame to the sill.