Quote:
Originally Posted by cycleguy55
West Coast / Kellison cars have side impact protection. I believe Arntz / Butler do as well. Those with ladder frames? Not so much.
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Most replicas have steel/metal reinforcement running from hinge to latch in between the inner and outer door skins and I have to chuckle a bit to myself when that is touted as an extra safety feature. The weak link is the flimsy door latch. Look at the picture and ask yourself what is stopping that steel reinforcement (along with the fiberglass skins) from crushing your ribcage when the little latch snaps like a twig in a side on impact collision.
Now, if the reinforcing bars butted up against a solid steel frame member to prevent intrusion into the cockpit, then they might offer at least a modicum of protection in a light side impact. But as they are, with only a flimsy little latch holding them in place, please don't take too much comfort in having them there.