Suicide Doors on C3 any pics?

[billyvette]

Does anyone have pics of a c 3 with suicide doors?

Is this possible? Just looking through a rod and custom magazine and wondering if anyone had ever seen this modification on a c 3 vette? :eek

 

[Stallion]

Ehhh..I haven't seen it, nor do I want to. It looks good on old 30s Chevy Rods, but I don't think it would be nice for a Vette. Just my $0.02.

 

[billyvette]

hello

anybody out there? opinions?

 

[KOPBET]

Well, I've seen a four door C3 limo but not anything with suicide doors. I would think it difficult (at best) to get support for a suicide door without a pilar in the back to mount the hinges. With the four door limo they could stretch the frame and put in anything they wanted to for the door support, but in the back ????

Good luck in your quest.

 

[Chas]

anybody out there? opinions?

i think i have seen pics of gull wing doors on a concept vette...

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I've not seen suicide doors on a C3 vette, but by just thinking about it, I think if you find one....that's all you'll find. One.

Imagine how you enter and exit your C3. The doors are very wide and I find myself standing next to the rear wheel when getting in or getting out. If a C3 had suicide doors...how would a person enter and exit if they were not able to stand next to the rear wheels? The doors would need to open nearly perpendicular to the vehicle for driver/passenger to have access. Another problem would be the angle that the rear of the door and body have. Unless changes were made to make that hinge point vertical, the door would open sort of up and down as it opened and closed.
For the body design on these cars, I think it'd be improbable to have suicide doors. But that's just my opinion.
Heidi

 

[Stallion]

I would have to agree with Heidi. I don't think it could be made possible. And if I could, it would be too much of a hassle to enjoy.

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-on committing Vetteicide...

-all do respect Heidi, -as an automotive-designer i rather like Billy's notion of front-opening doors (maybe someone can do a convincing Computer-artist's photo of this idea just for grins)! If one has the financial wherewithall, why not something different like this, as it does not defile the lines of the car, -but will involve considerable invasive-surgery; and since the largest portion of the door is at the rear, -it actually makes sense! Getting-in is really not awkward and little different than with a '33Ford-roadster, -you open the door 60*, -then simply back your fanny in/down onto the seat and swing your legs in as you close the door! Question remains as to how one would deal with the exterior/door-handles (to say nothing of structurally "hanging" the doors solidly, -guess you could use the same rigid-hinges by just turning'em upside-down, and mount'em to a 3/16"-steel plate secured to the aft-jamb; -then swap door-latches left-to-right)! If i saw this done at a Custom-car Show, i know i would think "Wow, -how kool/clever that guy is"; and if well engineered, would surely add considerably to the car's value owing its novelty. One major problem though Billy, where are you gonna find space on your mantle for all of those trophies...
~Bob VonHeck

-Incidently, here really is a far more outlandish (black-paint would have helped, especially if only fnt.cockpit were open, and had chaffuer in tan w/brimmed-cap emulating a '30's-Towncar -Ha!) 4dr.-'78Vette 30"-stretch currently for sale on Ebay.com (use words- " 4-door corvette "); --of six-made, just two-survive, it was a totally impractical idea mfg.by Calif.CoachBuilders-Inc. (chassis must emmit more groans than a drive through a grave-yard at midnight); but note here, -the oem-angle of the C3's rear/door-jamb is not so great as to pose a major problem with Billys front-opening doors (lower/hinge-axis would need to be located far aft as possible to bring the common/hinge-axis as near vertical as possible) ...
~B.vH

 

[billyvette]

thinking outside the "corvette box"

Finally, someone who can see where I am coming from. I am not seriously considering doing this right now, but maybe later. A friend of mine has a body shop and does excellent work of all types, I will be conferring with him on this idea. Think about all the custom touches corvette concepts have had in the past and all these corvette fans love them and the concepts are the ultra collectibles. All corvettes are not priceless automotive artificats to be preserved like pickles. My car would look stock totally including the door handles, just open backwards. It is called creativity. Harley Earl is not remembered because of his conformity, neither is Zora Arkus Duntov.

 

[Robin7TFour]

creativity is not formed in a vaccum, rather it is like-minded people sharing ideas and plans....i like to be creative and enjoy sharing and showing what i can do ..

ROBIN

 

[Chas]

it should be yours...

Finally, someone who can see where I am coming from. I am not seriously considering doing this right now, but maybe later. A friend of mine has a body shop and does excellent work of all types, I will be conferring with him on this idea. Think about all the custom touches corvette concepts have had in the past and all these corvette fans love them and the concepts are the ultra collectibles. All corvettes are not priceless automotive artificats to be preserved like pickles. My car would look stock totally including the door handles, just open backwards. It is called creativity. Harley Earl is not remembered because of his conformity, neither is Zora Arkus Duntov.

personalizing your vette is what really makes it yours. i dont think my vette will ever be "clipboard" judged...so i cut the bezel and put in a cd player so i can enjoy music as i enjoy my vette...i have edelbrock engine equipment....headers...the list goes on ....my point is ,this is what makes you happy, not someone else....and to see a vette that the doors open that way would have folks talking , im sure...good luck.
chas

 

[Stallion]

Well, I think there is a large difference than cutting the bezel and changing the actually body. In my opinion, there are just some things that you should not touch. And body modifying is one of them. I understand engine work, because the GM techs don't exactly have no-limit access to do what they want. But the body is something different. Even if you aren't mechanical sound or you are not an expert on a car, everybody can appreciate the body. And to change it?...that's not right. So you are telling me that the designers of your Corvette did not do the best job they could?

And if that isn't enough, the resale on that would be terrible. It wouldn't sell. Nobody would want it!

 

[Mac]

And if that isn't enough, the resale on that would be terrible. It wouldn't sell. Nobody would want it!

There's much more to life than resale, trust me!

If resale was the objective, do you think 67Heaven would be installing off-set trailing arms and mono-spring suspension? Realistically, if he wanted maximum cash, he would restore his 67 to 'factory correct' condition. After all, we're talking about a one-owner original big block 427-435 HP 67 coupe, fully documented, one of the most sought after of all Corvettes, commanding big big bucks. Instead, he's building his car HIS WAY, and that's a good thing.

billyvette, if you decide to try this, keep us in mind and post lots of pictures!!

 

[Stallion]

I see what you mean, Mac, but I have to go back to my original arguement. He's saying that the GM designers didn't do a good job? And I think 67HEAVEN can and will get his money back at least for that ride. Especially with the job he is doing, it is turning out nice.

 

[Mac]

He's saying that the GM designers didn't do a good job?

If he won't say it, I will. I'll go back to my example... why did 67Heaven install offset trailing arms and flares? The GM designers & engineers made it so the widest wheel that would fit inside the rear wheelwells were only 6" wheels. 435 HP and 6" wheels? Hello? Welcome to the wonderful world of design flaws.

That being said, I don't think billyvette is commenting about the design at all. He's talking about changing how the door swings, not how it looks, even to leaving the handles intact. It's just for custom effect, not for esthetics. To be honest, I think it would be an interesting concept. Will I be doing it to my 73? Not likely.

 

[billyvette]

Thank you mac

you have already applied to stallion with the exact thoughts i have, personalization of corvettes is what the car hobby is all about.

stallion has the fellings that many outside of the corvette culture say about us.

that corvette people often think we have the perfect car and GM never made any mistakes. obviouslyl this is not true on either account.

i must repeat a previous post and think about the concept vettes of the past and how they had custom touches.

it is the same reason people put pace car front and rear spoilers on non pace cars- this is just a little more extreme.

the entire purpose of this thread was to stimulate discussion and thought and it worked.

the suicide doors are a ways off, but I am considering it after my engine and drivetrain upgrades

 

[Blue82]

Billyvette, I think if I were going to change the way my doors open I would go for doors similar to the Lamborghini opening up and forward. I applaud your creativity but I think it will be a huge feat and it will open at a strange angle because of the rear door jamb angle.

Good luck. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[C3RVETTE]

-all do respect Heidi, -as an automotive-designer i rather like Billy's notion of front-opening doors (maybe someone can do a convincing Computer-artist's photo of this idea just for grins)! If one has the financial wherewithall, why not something different like this, as it does not defile the lines of the car, -but will involve considerable invasive-surgery; and since the largest portion of the door is at the rear, -it actually makes sense! Getting-in is really not awkward and little different than with a '33Ford-roadster, -you open the door 60*, -then simply back your fanny in/down onto the seat and swing your legs in as you close the door! Question remains as to how one would deal with the exterior/door-handles (to say nothing of structurally "hanging" the doors solidly, -guess you could use the same rigid-hinges by just turning'em upside-down, and mount'em to a 3/16"-steel plate secured to the aft-jamb; -then swap door-latches left-to-right)! If i saw this done at a Custom-car Show, i know i would think "Wow, -how kool/clever that guy is"; and if well engineered, would surely add considerably to the car's value owing its novelty. One major problem though Billy, where are you gonna find space on your mantle for all of those trophies...
~Bob VonHeck

-Incidently, here really is a far more outlandish (black-paint would have helped, especially if only fnt.cockpit were open, and had chaffuer in tan w/brimmed-cap emulating a '30's-Towncar -Ha!) 4dr.-'78Vette 30"-stretch currently for sale on Ebay.com (use words- " 4-door corvette "); --of six-made, just two-survive, it was a totally impractical idea mfg.by Calif.CoachBuilders-Inc. (chassis must emmit more groans than a drive through a grave-yard at midnight); but note here, -the oem-angle of the C3's rear/door-jamb is not so great as to pose a major problem with Billys front-opening doors (lower/hinge-axis would need to be located far aft as possible to bring the common/hinge-axis as near vertical as possible) ...
~B.vH

NAHHH!

 

[Stallion]

"stallion has the fellings that many outside of the corvette culture say about us."

Okay, wait a second. I do take offense to this. I think that some of the hottest Corvettes are the ones with the flames on the hood and the big 12 inch tires. It puts a smile on my face to see an 800HP engine inside a Shark. Don't get me wrong. And for your information, I am not outside of the Corvette culture. I just think that if you want that little facet for your doors, then buy a Lamborghini. I'm not critisizing your opinion, just merely stating mine. So please don't offend me like that. I am in the Corvette culture just as much, if not more, than you or any body else that you can bring.

Stallion

 

[C3RVETTE]

"stallion has the fellings that many outside of the corvette culture say about us."

Okay, wait a second. I do take offense to this. I think that some of the hottest Corvettes are the ones with the flames on the hood and the big 12 inch tires. It puts a smile on my face to see an 800HP engine inside a Shark. Don't get me wrong. And for your information, I am not outside of the Corvette culture. I just think that if you want that little facet for your doors, then buy a Lamborghini. I'm not critisizing your opinion, just merely stating mine. So please don't offend me like that. I am in the Corvette culture just as much, if not more, than you or any body else that you can bring.

Stallion

:cool