Chris the area in front of the rear tire is an overhang that the pontoon bolts too the overhang is at least an inch wide. I have four of Frans chassis and like Howard says they are tough and would be hard to Bend. The front structure as well as the back structure that the clam shells bolt to is aluminum [some early ones may have been square tubing] it bolts too the tub front and back, my bet is that it absorbed the impact without it transferring into the tub. The only way to tell for sure would be a close look, I think this could be a great car for someone but not without that close look. I think most of us on here would agree these things can sometimes be a challenge to work on but this good be a good deal.......m