The invention relates to a body for a motor car, especially a small car, in which the load-bearing structure of the body is formed by what is referred to as a "space-frame" structure. In the floor region and in the side region behind the doors, surface elements are integrated in a sealing and permanent manner into the framework structure and are in part closed off by window panes inserted in a sealing manner or by a roof inserted in a sealing manner. At the front, the body is closed off by a nose module which can be bolted on in a sealing manner, can be preassembled ready for operation and can be closed off laterally and at the rear by a side door fitted in a sealing manner and a tailgate, respectively. The outward-facing flat sides of the sections of the framework structure which lie above the beltline are exposed and in this region the bars are in each case shaped to match the desired surface profile of the body and--apart from a paint finish--directly form the body exterior surface area. Below the beltline, the framework structure is covered with panelling components which are connected removably to the framework structure, do not have a load-bearing function and, together with the lower portions of the doors and of the tailgate and with the nose module, determine the shape of the body in this lower region. The vehicle produced in this way is not only very easy to repair overall as minor damage to simple manner alternatives to the body but it is for dimensional be produced and made regards relatively also possible in a and formal body available.

A vehicle body extension system is provided for mounting on the fenders and rocker panels of a vehicle. The extensions include fender flare extension units designed to fit each fender. The perimeter of each fender flare unit includes an inner edge which conforms to the shape of the wheel opening and an outer edge which is generally squared-off, with horizontal vertical portions that generally match the shape of the vehicle fender itself. When installed on the vehicle, the fender flare extension units blend with the vehicle's shape and contours to closely resemble custom body work rather than add-on fender flares. Each extension unit has a contoured cross section which includes a protruding region near the wheel opening, a shoulder region, a reverse-turned region and a nonprotuberant border flange region, immediately adjacent the outer edge. Matching molding strips are provided for installation over the rocker panels. A method of installation using adhesives is also described.

A high impact barrier for the exterior components of an automobile body to enable lightweight automobiles to better withstand collisions and provide a protective enclosure of the passenger compartment, accomplished by bonding precut sheets of heavy gauge SUNPRENE.TM. polyprene onto the outer surfaces of the body panels. Clear sheets of polyprene are also bonded to the interior and exterior windshield and rear glass surfaces, and to the outer surfaces of bumpers and headlight lenses.

An aftermarket kit comprised of protective and decorative vehicle body panels for attachment to existent vehicle body structures. The panels include a rigid, resilient substrate layer, such as ABS, to provide increased resistant of a vehicle provided with the panels to damage from impacts with other objects. The panels also include a decorative layer visible through an overlying protective layer. The decorative layer provides the appearance of desirable materials, such as wood or carbon fiber and, in certain versions, includes wood and/or carbon fiber material. The protective layer provides increased resistance of the panels to damage from impinging ultraviolet radiation. The panels can optionally be formed in complex three-dimensional concave and convex curves to provide additional aesthetic appeal and to better conform to complex vehicle contours.

A wheeled vehicle includes front and rear wheels. A frame supports the wheels. First and second covers cover the wheels or the frame. The first cover includes a first ridge. The second cover includes a second ridge that lies on top of the first ridge. A fastener fastens the first cover or the second cover to the frame in a first direction in which the second cover is placed onto the first cover.