Patent ID: 8491045

Claim:
A vehicle body side structure comprising: a first pillar a second pillar, an inner side panel defining an inner window opening and an attachment flange formed adjacent to and surrounding the inner window opening; and an outer side panel having an uninterrupted outer surface, the outer side panel extending between the first pillar and the second pillars, a section of the uninterrupted outer surface being contoured and shaped to define an outer window-like area and a window sash formed adjacent to and surrounding the outer window-like area, the attachment flange of the inner side panel being rigidly attached to the window sash of the outer side panel along a connection area to prevent movement of the inner side panel relative to the outer side panel, the outer window-like area being located adjacent to the connection area and the outer window-like area completely covering the inner window opening, the connection area being located between the first pillar and the second pillar and spaced apart from the first pillar and the second pillar, with respective lateral end portions of the inner panel and the outer panel defining an enclosed area as viewed in cross-section between the connection area and at least one of the first pillar and the second pillar.