05-21-2008, 10:57 PM
with the better designs, and better high-tensile strength steel alloys, they don't need to be as heavy as you think.
as an example. the steel reinforcing bars in the 2 doors of my '71 GSX and '72 Skylark add 125# to the weight of the cars. A '70 door is identical, but lacks the side crash bar, so thats why the weight is known. Racers figured out what the NHTSB wouldn't disclose. Now with modern steel, and a waffle weave or honey comb design, I bet they could meet standards with under 30#s. Better steel, better designs.
as an example. the steel reinforcing bars in the 2 doors of my '71 GSX and '72 Skylark add 125# to the weight of the cars. A '70 door is identical, but lacks the side crash bar, so thats why the weight is known. Racers figured out what the NHTSB wouldn't disclose. Now with modern steel, and a waffle weave or honey comb design, I bet they could meet standards with under 30#s. Better steel, better designs.