So what's it like on the edge of nowhere? Would
carbonized bamboo be any help?
But, getting back to Permalink #9; a plausible [to me] scenario would be vertical-grain balsa wood slabs skinned with .007" aluminum, similar to Polymetal. I'm sure such material exists. Monocoque boxes. For low-volume production, steel tube 'roll cage' for the roof structure like this Porsche:
