Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz
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.
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I hadn't noticed the latch in that photo until you pointed it out. I can say that's definitely not the latch in my WCC. There's no exterior door handle on mine, and the latch bolted to the steel member certainly appears more robust than that photo. Would it meet current federal safety standards? No, but it's almost certainly stronger than that one.
Edit: I did a little research and discovered the latches on my WCC "Meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206 for personnel restraint applications ONLY when: Safety latch is installed with Eberhard Part No. 206-15 striker (included) AND safety latch is in installed in a certified FMVSS 206 door system."
I have no way of knowing whether Kellison or West Coast ever subjected the "door system" to the requisite testing to be fully compliant with FMVSS 206, but i can assure you the latches are robust, and the strikers are bolted solidly to frame members. The latch mechanism in the door is fastened to the side impact bars.