"Laura G." wrote:
> There was a picture on the cover of this months TRSC newletter of a GT6 in a
> crash test-I guess it was built and designed for the bonnet to buckle
> up-sort of fold
> in half. And that's exactly what Greg's did! Saved his life. And that's why
> he restored it!
What saved his life was the frame, not the bonnet. The bonnet is
extremely weak, especially across the tops of the wheel arches (that's
why there are reinforcing tubes over the inner fenders--so the bonnet
doesn't deform in normal use). And, that's why the bonnet folds up as it
does, rather than through any designed-in controlled deformation.
Unlike a car with unibody construction, the GT6 body depends upon the
frame for rigidity. The frame, in any serious head-on accident, is
absorbing the bulk of the impact energy. The GT6 and Spitfire bodies are
basically tin cans tied to a much stronger stick.
But, still nice to hear it's repaired and back on the road, with no one
seriously injured.
Cheers.
--
Michael D. Porter
Roswell, NM (yes, _that_ Roswell)
[mailto:mporter@zianet.com]
`70 GT6+ (being refurbished, slowly)
`71 GT6 Mk. III (organ donor)
`72 GT6 Mk. III (daily driver)
`64 TR4 (awaiting intensive care)
`80 TR7 (3.8 liter Buick-powered)
`86 Nissan 300ZX (the minimal-maintenance road car)
`68 VW Type II Camper (Lancia twin-cam powered, but feeling its age....)
Remember: Math and alcohol do not mix... do not drink and derive.
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