Side impact bars?????

[Mr Fix It]

A while ago I saw a picture of a cerb with the door partially ripped open (I think after a crash) and there was a large ladder like tubular steel structure exposed. Can anyone tell me whether this is just to hold the door inplace- is it required because the door is so large, or is it a side impact bar?

If it is a side impact bar, does this just lie in the plastic somewhere ie probably no use what so ever, or is this bar secured at each end to the roll cage when the door is shut?

Cheers for any info.

[satman]

I dont think side impact tubes are fitted..ive seen a couple of smashed doors on TVRs in salvage yards but no sign of side impact bars...maybe you saw door glass runners that had fallen into the door at an angle?...trickery of camera pics eh?

[shpub]

They are there alright. They support the door and provide impact protection. Hinge into roll cage/chassis at one end. Lock at the other. Very similar in concept to that used on the Wedges.

[satman]

Well you learn something every day!...they certainley werent visable on the Chim's I looked at....looks like a made the right choice in car afterall!

[satman]

Just done a search regarding side impact bars...seems both the Cerb and Tuscan have them...but Griffs and Chims do not....

[suffolkfox]

Hi
This is probably the picture you mean:

www.wreckedexotics.com/tvr/tvr_122302_003.shtml

Yes the side impact bars are there, and more to the point appear to work.

[Mr Fix It]

Yep, thats the picture I saw. I knew the Chim did not have any, or should I say atleast mine didnt. I heard that the Cerb had them but was unsure about it. Thanks very much for the replies. I can now reasure my partner a bit more that a cerb offers more crash protection than our Chim did - those side bars together with the roll over cage makes it look like a very safe car, probably more so than most on the road.