Lambo/Scissor/Vertical doors, the reality? | FerrariChat
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Lambo/Scissor/Vertical doors, the reality?

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by ashsimmonds, Dec 14, 2005.

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  1. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

    Feb 14, 2004
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    #1 ashsimmonds, Dec 14, 2005
    with all the talk of scissor door conversions on Gallardos i've been hearing of lately it's reminded me of the actual reason scissor doors were implemented in the first place....

    i heard this some time ago and it seemed plausible back then, i can't remember the full story but it was something along the lines of that the Countach with it's wide kickplate and high sill made standard doors (even more) difficult for ingress/egress unless the doors went out to at least 90 degrees from the body.

    so some bright spark said they could widen the entrance by having the doors lift instead of swing.

    so, is it true that vertical doors are function over form (at least originally) or is it purely an attention whoore thing as everyone else seems to think?
     
  2. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

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    #2 Testacojones, Dec 14, 2005
    Bertone had design cars previous to the Countach with the doors opening in that fashion.
     
  3. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

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    #3 ashsimmonds, Dec 14, 2005
  4. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    #4 Nuvolari, Dec 14, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    To the best of my knowledge (and I am a LP400 nut) the door design was merely a styling detail used on the Bertone Cara concept car. It served no particular engineering purpose. This differs greatly from the Mercedes 300sl Gullwing as the doors were required because of the birdcage construction of its chassis that necessitated large door sills for stiffness. I think that factory installed scissor doors are way cool and look forward to having them one day. If everyone had them it would be great because I would not be so paranoid that some ass will open their door into my car.

    BTW save the Google time, here is a pic of the Cara:
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  5. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

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    #5 Testacojones, Dec 14, 2005
    ^^^You mean the Carabo
     
  6. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    #6 Nuvolari, Dec 15, 2005
    My mistake. The correct name is Carabo.
     
  7. jim501

    jim501 Formula 3

    Mar 29, 2005
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    #7 jim501, Dec 15, 2005
    Another reason (whilst not really the case in the 300sl) is that having conventional opening doors on the Murcielago or Diablo would mean that you would need close to 2 metres on either side of the car to open the doors and get out. The Gallardo's doors are a lot shorter then the previous mentioned cars.
     
  8. kayman

    kayman Formula Junior

    Nov 15, 2005
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    #8 kayman, Dec 16, 2005
    They are still a bastard to get out of though.

    i find i have to open it at least 45 degrees (and its quite a way out then) to just squeeze out. But im tall and lanky and my hair hits the roof (i have a little boof)!
     

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