A different kind of door!

[Miracleman89]

Hey guys, what do you think about having this option on the V1!

http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/

[CelticFlyer]

I saw that demonstration video on the Mustang forums a while ago. Ingenious and clever engineering. Funny, I was just thinking today how cool it would be for the V1 to feature a clamshell or gull-wing door. And it's not even past the prototype stage yet! It would certainly allow you to park in extremely tight quarters.

[rogwild]

Great Idea; BUT with the narrower bottom of the V-1, added weight, complexity, and COST (not to mention that the batteries are now located in the floor under the seats), I don't think it is practical (nor cost effective) to plan one on a light-weight vehicle in the $20-25k range.

[Derwin]

Wow! Those are really incredible doors. I would like to have those on ANY vehicle, including the V1. I wonder how much it would up the cost, though.

I thought the video said something about installing those on any vehicle, or at least I read that somewhere on the site. Is that something that is possible, or would those doors need to be made as they are manufacturing the vehicle itself? Either way, I think they are awesome. No more getting closed in when parking!

Derwin

[RAN]

They've definitely got the cool factor working for them, but I don't know how they'd work on a V-1, being so narrow, and with the battery pack in the floor, nor how much they'd add to the cost. They do say that there's not really a weight penalty.....

[Derwin]

I agree with you, RAN. They are really cool, but I have my doubts about them working on the V1.



Derwin

[CelticFlyer]

I'm almost afraid to propose this feature on the V1, in all honesty. I mean, would we really want to delay the production process by having to work out the engineering for this? lol Way cool idea, though.

Maybe on the V2... ;)

[Miracleman89]

I have my doubts as well and I have to wonder what impact they would have on the overall cost. However, I thought if it was possible to incorporate it in while still in the development phase, it would lower the cost of this option and increase the overall wow factor of the V1!

[Derwin]

I love the idea. I think it would definately be another "WOW" feature on this vehicle. Unfortunately I think they already have the design features with just the one door on the left. But like CelticFlyer said, maybe in the V2!

Derwin

[Miracleman89]

Well If nothing else maybe they can still install in on a V1 as an after market option!

[CelticFlyer]

There are companies that re-engineer doors for production vehicles. I no longer have the link. I trashed it when I sold my Mustang. You can probably Google it. They can give virtually ANY car gull-wing doors. THAT would be a sweet addition to the V1, and fitting, given it's aerospace-inspired design.

[Miracleman89]

I don't think I want gull wing doors. I had a friend of mine how owned one of those kit car gull wing Mercedes he told me he had problems at parking lots with getting in and out because people parked to close!

[CelticFlyer]

It depends on the design. Maybe I'm using the wrong word. These actually pivot forwards and up, so they move outwards very little, if at all. I'll have to scrounge around for that link to the site that alters the cars.

[Mark Tomlinson]

I like what the Aptera is doing with the doors, and I'd love to see it in the V1. the doors hinge along the window frame, so they go up and out like you suggested, Celtic.

What makes them work in the Aptera is that they don't extend out past the width of the front wheels (check out the Aptera site to see what I mean). That way you can't park too close to anything to get the doors open. The same thing would work on the V1 because it is so narrow and the rear wheels are wider than the body. Hinging them like that, the doors would swing out less than if they where hinged like a standard car door.

Problem is that the pillar and door frame have to be over-engineered to maintain the stress. And that could add weight to the top as well as reduce visibility.

[CelticFlyer]

Google yielded a few companies that offer the "Lambo" door conversions. Some just sell the parts you need to DIY, but others make the conversion for you.

Here's a pic of a modded Mustang:

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee299/GrabberOrange/LamboDoorMustang.jpg

Many on the Mustang forums argued (quite convincingly) that the Lambo doors did not belong on the retro-inspired design of the current Mustang. Too many "old school" vs "new approach" issues, I suppose.

[rogwild]

Yes, can even work on small light-weight, less expensive vehicles like the Raven.

[MVRacing]

I think Lambo doors on the V 1 would be excellent!!!

[Miracleman89]

Now see I would like lambo style but not gull!

[MVRacing]

I'm not up on paint shop or anything like that. Would like to see a shot of a V1 with Lambo style door open, if anyone has time to do that.

[Derwin]

Hey, that's a cool looking tiny car! The door is fantastic. I don't think Venture Vehicles is even considering this kind of door, but it is probably on my "TOP 10" Wish List!

Derwin

[Mark Tomlinson]

Seeing them on that Mustang make me think they are ideal for the V1. Not just cool, but practical as well. If you need to tilt the vehicle for service, they would allow you to keep the door open.

[Rpeek2]

Thanks MM. What a cool idea. Maybe I could convince my wife to install some on her Prius.