disappearing door? Have you seen this?

If Ferrari were to integrate it in their own designs, that would be one thing. But a 3rd-party mod will look out of place.

Besides, what if the mechanism broke and you were unable to close the door?

Worse yet, what if it closed while you were getting your precious cargo from the back seat, as they show in the video?

~shahedc
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The BMW Z1 had similar doors

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=MkoTZVKT7wg

 

Right... and the Z1 was made by BMW to do that, right?

Thanks for the video... I didn't know that's how it worked..!

I did see a picture of the car in the past (with the door down), but I didn't know where the door was... !

But I think an F-chat member has a Z1, and had posted the picture here...

~shahedc
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This is BIZARRE.. that promo was shot in front of the Fox theater here in Detroit.

I detailed these prototype cars before they went to get shot for this promo video - I was sent by my shop (classic appreciation in Rochester) back in.. probably was 98 or 99. It's weird that they're still doing it because those cars aren't being built anymore. They also did a prototype for the big cadillac's of the day, the last of those full frame biggies.

Weird bunch of guys but pretty cool. I had to sign non-disclosure agreement to get into the shop. The button was one-touch, they used the power window switches on the door as the buttons to open/close the door. The mechanism to do it was insanely complicated. Freakin' sweet. They had all kinds of safety's though so it wouldn't just "open" on you, or close for that matter. I guess they're still trying to sell it nearly 10 years later, but seems a waste as the big 3 never bought into it (that was their hope) and those cars aren't manufactured.

Anyway - thought I would share.

Jim

 

http://www.ronsusser.com/vehicles.asp?c=da&id=857

I've got one of the prototypes available.
Ron
www.ronsusser.com

 

Its better than those "Lambo" doors! They should've done it in a better donor car too IMO.

 

What a small world... Last time I saw that car the door was still being installed.. a lot of it was in pieces. They were rushing it and a couple others out the door onto a truck. I wonder what happened to the guy who designed and built it? There were actually 3 guys, one old dude w/the $, and 2 engineers who were doing the building. Their shop was right off Telegraph Road, somewhere near 8 mile if memory serves. Cooooool!

Good luck w/the sale - should bring a pretty penny!

 

The Kaiser Darren, built in the early '50s, had sliding doors that disappeared into the front fenders. IMHO, that was a better idea than this contraption. Someone asked what happens if the door goes down and won't come up. My bigger concern would be what happens if the doors are closed and something happens, like a minor accident or an electrical failure, and the door won't open? Jaws of life? That would be quite a mess.

 

1954 Kaiser Darren:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That car was for sale on ebay (did you put it up for sale or did you buy it?) around maybe a year ago (there was a thread on FChat about it I believe).

When I saw the ad on ebay, I think I remember the passenger side glass was broken (assumably from the door mechanism messing up), but other than that, it looked nice.

I also seem to remember the mechanism for the door was air pressure controlled (?) by a huge system that took up most of the trunk, making the trunk useless.

Cool concept though. Not exactly sure why this is in the 308/328 section, dont think a 308 nor 328 could have that done to it, doors are not shaped to allow it.

James in Denver

 

I can't believe this keeps showing up. Not practical, how do you get out in an accident, what happens in the winter when the car ices up, etc.

 

What do you mean you can't believe it keeps showing up? It worked for the Kasier Corporation! I mean, look where they are now... wait.. um.. crap.

 

The worst part is, and why no one ever picked up the idea, is that you can't have anything on the inner door panel. There's no arm rests or anything. You probably can barely get door beams into it.
I am sure it is also a liability nightmare.

 

yeah... anyone with sliding doors at home can attest to this.

imagine trying to get in and out in a hurry, and the door sticks...

~shahedc
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