Patent ID: 7207617

Claim:
A vehicle body structure comprising: a vehicle body panel including a main panel portion defining an exterior fascia surface of a vehicle and a panel mounting flange extending from the main panel portion at an angle to form an exterior edge between the exterior fascia surface of the vehicle body panel and a mounting surface of the panel mounting flange such that the exterior edge is visible when installed; and a mounting bracket fixedly attached to the vehicle body panel such that the mounting surface of the panel mounting flange is exposed to mate with at least one additional vehicle panel, the mounting bracket including a bracket attachment portion having an overlapping part overlying the panel mounting flange on a side of the panel mounting flange that faces in an opposite direction to the mounting surface of the panel mounting flange, and an extension part extending parallel to the panel mounting flange and beyond a free end of the panel mounting flange, the extension part of the bracket attachment portion including a fastening structure that is located beyond the free end of the panel mounting flange of the vehicle body panel such the extension part is configured to be attached to the at least one additional vehicle panel by the fastening structure.