Drop top chassis

[Anand]

I was just wonderring about the chassis for convertibles.. I know I COULD do research but I am kinda lazy and I am at work... I was talking to a friend of mine and he claims that the chassis for a convertable is suposidly heavier than a hard top..

is that statement true? somewhat true? I know they have more safetly features which make them heavier but I thought the chassy was the same!?!?!? can anyone clarify that (if they know anything about it) please? if not, I guess I'll have to do the research myself..

thankx for your time!

[MetaOrbit]

It's been my experience that convertibles are typically heavier than their hardtop brethren.

Now, I can't exactly tell you why, because I don't know, but I always chalked it up to additional body/chassis reinforcement as well as the equipment used to raise/lower the top.

[DAEDALUS]

With no real structure on top, convertibles are mechanically far less efficient at taking and transferring loads, particularly torsional loads. Imagine trying to twist a solid square metal channel. If you cut the channel in half lengthwise, you will find it far easier to twist. I am guessing that the designers have to compensate for the lack of torsional rigidity in convertibles by beefing up the frame, though in all but a few cases, the hardtop models still end up stiffer. Some shapes are far more structurally efficient than others.