The History and Future of the Suicide Door

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The suicide door is one with a name that nobody can forget so-called due to the risks they involve when installed on cars in the past. So just why are these doors so popular, and why do they continue to make a huge statement?

The History of This Car Door

Common in the 1930s to the 1950s, the doors were attached at the rear as opposed to the front of the door. The idea was to make entering and exiting the vehicle easier, but as performance and speed improved there was a deadly realization to the impact of the hinge placement. At higher speeds, if the door was not fully closed, wind could catch the door and rip it from the hinges leaving the rider exposed or, if a seatbelt was not in place, flying out of the hole in the side of the vehicle. Herein lays the history of the name.

The 1971 Ford Thunderbird was the last model to utilize this feature off the production line. For many years, the suicide door was laid to rest due to safety concerns until car enthusiasts starting taking a look at what made vehicles in the 1960s so very appealing to collectors. It seemed easy to add spice and pizzazz simply by moving the hinges back a few feet and the result is the instant popularity of the suicide door.

Comparisons with the Auto Lambo Door

There is quite a difference between what is termed a Lambo and suicide feature on an auto. Auto lambo doors open up making the vehicle exterior resemble a bird when both are open. The suicide, on the other hand, simply opens backward. Other terms for this style include rear-hinged, coach and freestyle.

Modern Uses of an Old Trick

Today, there are plenty of vehicles utilizing the suicide design concept with a few safety angles thrown in. The Mazda RX8, Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, Honda Element, Ford truck series, and Rolls Royce Phantom have all made use of the stunning, yet simple, upgrade. These doors are protected from spontaneous opening, in most cases, because they are used on four-door models where the rear-hinged must be closed first before the standard-hinged. With this safety feature intact, there is no way for air to catch the edge and cause it to open.

Advantages

* Easy entrance and exiting from vehicle.
* Driver can easily open rear door.

Disadvantages

* Front and back passengers have limited room to exit at the same time.
* Passengers could be injured while exiting if traffic goes around the auto to pass.

As with any performance or beauty upgrade, there are pros and cons. This feature is one that died away more than three decades ago, only to be reborn in the hearts and eyes of auto enthusiasts. As long as automobile lovers continue living in the 1960s and 1970s, there will be a suicide door out there waiting to open.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Suicide doors are just one of the many accessories that can bring your car to life! If you're interested in finding the best deals on car parts, and want to be inspired about the ways in which you can improve your car, check out our custom car parts guide!

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