DDMWorks ProBeam for Solstice / Sky

Beginning in the early fall of 2007, we began testing prototypes for a stiffening brace on our test Pontiac Solstice. The objective was to improve on some shortcomings built into our beloved car due to the nature of production vehicles. We began with some very simple and straight forward concepts. However, our test mule proved to be quite a fighter. Feeling good about a brace design, we merrily bolted up several prototypes and went blasting down the back roads. At least 3 different design concepts met their untimely demise this way. The problem? Our primary test vehicle is lowered and has an aftermarket exhaust. Most of the concepts that we modeled would work perfectly on a stock Kappa, but being lowered and having an aftermarket exhaust killed several designs we had spent days modeling in the computer. Below the photos show several design that, obviously, did not make the final cut. We continued our quest with what we called the "X-brace". Very functional and VERY cool looking from the rear. But the lowered vehicle and Center exit exhaust setups still proved to be a problem.