Patent ID: 7093870
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. A flexible passenger vehicle body capable of being transformed into at least two different classes of vehicle styles, comprising: a body shell having front and rear openings and at least one pair of transversely opposed door openings; a front panel closing the body shell front opening; at least one pair of door panels closing the body shell door openings; a roof panel including a fixed portion and a movable portion, the fixed portion having at least a generally planar configuration, the movable portion having at least a generally planar configuration and having attached thereto a pair of transversely opposed rear pillars extending generally downward therefrom to engage the body shell; a back panel coupled to the roof panel movable portion and extending between the rear pillars; a pair of opposing retractable rear side panels affixed to the body shell behind the door panels; and a tailgate affixed to the body shell, the tailgate, the retractable rear side panels, the roof panel movable portion and the back panel collectively enclosing the body shell rear opening when the vehicle is in a first body configuration, the front panel, door panels, roof panel, back panel, tailgate and retractable rear side panels defining a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area within the body shell in the first body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in a first position, the front panel, door panels, roof panel and back panel defining a contracted enclosed passenger space in a second body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in a second position, thereby creating an open cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passenger space.