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I dug around a little and got some data to support this. Removing the package tray and rearseat strainer on a Taurus reduces the torsion stiffness of the body structure by 17%!!! Probably why we put it in there in the first place. 8^) As I said early, this effect is probably a bit less on our cars because of the hybrid body construction, but I would bet it still reduces it more than 10%. I would say that is significant. On the Squareback vs. Fastback or Notchback question, the Square would be less torsionally stiff than the other two since the roof panel is larger and the size of the rear opening is bigger. Unless of course VW did something to compensate. I will see if I can find data comparing sedans with wagons to get a sense of how much of a change there is. As a side note for those DARKSIDERS out there thinking about cutting the roof off of their car, a convertible is typically less than HALF as stiff as its sister coupe, even after all compensations that can be economically made are! Later, John Jaranson '71 FI Auto Fasty (Jane) http://hometown.aol.com/jaransonT3 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitch in! Send your pledge of support! mailto:support@vwtype3.org