1.4 BodyThe body is of welded, unitized construction, meaning it does not have a separate frame. See Fig 1-2. This design forms a very rigid passenger compartment, with large crumple zones in the front and rear for energy absorption in the event of a collision.
Because the engine, the transaxle, and the driving wheels are all located at the front of the vehicle, the longitudinal hump in the front floor panel does not house the driveshaft. Instead, it serves as a strengthening member and houses the exhaust system, the parking brake cables, and the brake lines. For corrosion protection, all steel is treated and has a multi-layer finish, and the body seams are sealed using a PVC compound. The front fenders are flanged to allow moisture evaporation, and zinc plates are installed between the fender and the body to act as an anode. The body is undercoated and all interior cavities are flooded with a hot wax. |