Abstract: A vehicle body consists of a plurality of independent body sections, i.e., an engine compartment assembly, floor assembly, a pair of body side assemblies and a roof assembly. The assemblies are prepared and painted independently and have joining portions which are to be lapped one upon another, respectively. The assemblies are joined together by fastening with bolts and nuts the joining portions while at the same time bonding the joining portions with a sealant adhesive which is applied to the joining portions prior to lapping the joining portions one upon another.

Abstract: A front structure for a modular vehicle body includes a dash lower panel, cowl box and a front pillar. The dash lower panel has at the upper end thereof a first horizontal flange formed with a first recess. The front pillar has at the front side waist portion thereof second and third flanges. The second flange is formed with second and fourth recesses at the front and rear end portion thereof. The third flange is formed with a third recess at a lateral end thereof. A first patch plate extends between the first and second flanges and is disposed in the first and second recesses while a second patch plate extends between the second and third flanges and is disposed in the fourth and third recesses such that the first and second patch plates cooperate with the first, second and third flanges to form a smoothly continuous joining surface with which a side portion of the cowl box is joined by interposing therebetween sealant adhesive.

Abstract: A front floor panel has at a lateral end thereof a first flange for joining with a body side assembly. A floor panel has a second flange for joining with the body side assembly of a modular vehicle body. The first and seond flanges are formed with first and second recesses, respectively. A patch plate is fitted in the first and second recesses to form a smooth continuous joining surface which is joined with the corresponding flange of the body side assembly by interposing therebetween sealant adhesive. The rear floor panel is nearly rectangular and has a continuous upstanding flange extending upwardly from the laterally opposed ends and the rear end thereof for joining with the body side assembly and another body side assembly and a rear end assemby of the modular vehicle body.

Abstract: A core material for automobile bumpers which is composed of a molded article of foamed particles of a polypropylene-type resin. The molded article has a density of 0.015 to 0.045 g/cm.sup.3 and a compression stress at 50% compression of at least 1 kg/cm.sup.2. The core material simultaneously has excellent energy absorbing property and dimensional recovery and a low density.

Abstract: A structure is disclosed which mounts functional parts (2, 2L, 2H), e.g. a lock device, hinge device, etc., on a closable member (1) of a vehicle, e.g. a back door, engine hood, etc. The closable member consists of a sheet material and is formed with an emboss (34, 34L, 34H) which is recessed from the general surface (32) of the closable member (1) toward the rear side thereof. A reinforcing member (4, 4L, 4H) is adhered to the outer surface of the emboss, and the functional parts are mounted on the rear surface of the emboss. The emboss and the reinforcing member are covered by a cover member (42, 42L, 42H) which is coplaner with the general surface (32) of the closable member (1), and are not visible from outside. The cover member consists of a finisher (42) or an extension (46) of a back door window glass whose rear surface is locally applied with a painted masking layer (47).

Abstract: Vehicle bumper device comprises an impact receiving member at a location distant from the longitudinal end of a vehicle body and two side bumpers fixed at their forward ends to the impact receiving member. At its rearward end each of the side bumpers is detachably attached to the vehicle body to prevent vibration of the side bumper. Upon frontal impact of the vehicle the side bumpers will be readily detached from the vehicle body without deforming of the vehicle body.