[DML] Re: New composite underbody

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I took "WHO IS GOING TO BE YOUR DADDY?" (Kayo's caps, not mine) to be chastisement, especially in context with the rest of his post (Message #82832). There are similar messages from other owners in that general time frame as well, including some from Marc Levy (Message #82889 for example). 

General gist was that I was screwed, from an insurance liability standpoint, for changing my lower control arms. If that is true, then owners who swap out their underbodies are screwed as well. The same standard applies to everyone.

As Claude pointed out, in the case of an accident all we have is our underbodies. The frame runs down the middle of the car, providing very little protection itself (unlike a traditional ladder frame). As far as crash worthiness is concerned, DeLoreans are basically "plastic" unit body cars. 

Imperfect though it may be, at least the original body design was crash tested and certified.

Bill Robertson
#5939


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Marc Levy <malevy_nj@...> wrote:
>
> While I know nothing about what DMCH has done to test their new under bodies, and for sure don't know what liability protection they (or their contractors) carry, I think comparing your suspension modifications to their under bodies for liability purposes is apples and oranges.
> 
> While the possibility exists (and is likely) that crash performance will be impacted by the new under body, I don't think we can know if it will be improved or harmed.  However, I don't see a likely scenario where the new under body could be blamed as the CAUSE of a collision. 
> 
> Significant modifications to the suspension of the car can easily be blamed as the CAUSE of a collision (even if it is not actually the cause!).  With that said, I am told you have been saying that *I* claimed your LCA modification will cause ARB (or ARB mount) failure.  This is INCORRECT, I never made this claim-  When I mentioned it (since I am sure you have it handy), I was repeating a quote that was attributed to Mike Loasby himself..  It was posed on the old DMCTalk site.  The man that first tried the true wishbone LCA was also the man that warned it *MAY* cause a problem with the ARB.  Even so, I have a spare set of LCA's I may try this with.
> 
> IMHO, from a risk point of view, changing the under body is MINOR compared to modifying the suspension. 
> 
> No one chastised you.  Why is it any time someone has an opposing opinion, warning, or even a question about something you do-  you are being chastised?   The messages warning of possible liability concerns with you advocating that others modify their suspension were and still are valid.  Just like the concerns of liability of new under bodies are.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- On Sat, 3/10/12, content22207 <brobertson@...> wrote:
> 
> > I was severely chastised, from an
> > insurance liability standpoint, in October 2011 for changing
> > out my lower control arms and adding a pair of Ed Uding
> > brackets. That is minor beyond words compared to changing
> > out the entire body structure of the car.
> > 
> > Anyone who chastised me care to opine what an insurance
> > company might say to a person or passenger injured or killed
> > in an untested aftermarket carbody?
> > 
> > Bill Robertson
> > #5939
> >
>




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