A support system for the body of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, is constructed as at least part of a fender, extending between one of the walls of the passenger compartment and one end part of the vehicle. The support system comprises an inner wall component and an outer wall component which are relatively equally subdivided into forward and rear sections along their length. The forward section and rear section of the support system meet in an area at which chassis-connection elements are located and together the wall components define strengthening and force-absorbing structures which extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the structures being constructed so as to be less resistant to deformation in the forward section than in the rear section. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the structures comprise at least two superposed, substantially parallel frame-like members. More particularly, the structures are formed by deformations in the wall components and create frame-like members that are hollow and tubular with flanges extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom.