In a world full of cars, every car needs at least one car door… Maybe some racing cars don’t have them, but being it’s a race car you cannot drive them on the roads.
The history of car doors is quite awesome, and engineers have come up with several unique door designs along the way. Some of them are rather weird, others are loaded with sensors and technology. Which one do you like to have on your car?
#1 — Lincoln Mark VIII Concept (disappearing door)
This “JaTech Disappearing Door” was used on several car models, including some Lincoln cars and Ford Thunderbird SC concept cars. While it provides a huge space to get in and out of the car, some claim that this design won’t be as safe. Structural engineers proved them wrong and even if the servos fail, there’s a manual mode to open the door.
#2 — BMW Z1 (disappearing door)
Rather similar to the disappearing door above, BMW also built a car with slide-down-doors. The difference on the Z1 is that the door will slide down vertically instead of rolling under the car floor. But to be honest, being a cabriolet the BMW Z1 was not in need of a door at all.
#3 — Koenigsegg CCR (Raptor- or Dihedral doors)
Asking $1.33 million for a new one, the Koenigsegg CCR, which is the most expensive car in this list. With these doors, opening by sliding out and rotating 90 degrees, Koenigsegg created something new. Until now no other car manufacturer dared to install such doors.
#4 — Kaiser Darrin (sliding doors)
Even 65 years ago sliding doors were featured on the Kaiser Darrin, but this design is still in use today, maybe the sliding direction has changed from forward to backwards and they removed the pockets the doors would slide into. One of the most famous cars for sliding doors is the Volkswagen Bully or so called “Hippie Bus”.
#5 — Lotec Sirius (Butterfly doors)
Besides martial appearance and the immense speeds, butterfly doors are part of the magic of super cars. To name just a few cars, shaping the classic sports car image: Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, Ferrari Enzo, McLaren 12C Spider, McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, SSC Ultimate Aero XT and the Ultima GTR.
#6 — Tesla Model S (conventional doors)
Against all odds Tesla’s first mass produced electric car does have conventional doors. So why are they listed? Because, as it seems at first glance they have no door handle. Instead you’ll see a polished metal plate where the door handles used to be. And when you have the Tesla’s key with you, they will pop out revealing the handles.
#7 — Tesla Model X (Falcon Wing doors)
Tesla’s craziness is back in line. With its third model—after the Roadster and the Model S— Tesla created yet another unique feature for their all electric cars. The rear doors of their SUV opens upwards. This does gives easy access to the second and third row seats and looks truly insane. To prevent the doors from scratching other cars or touching the ceiling they are loaded with sensors and technology determining how far the doors can open without damage.
#8 — Peugeot 1007 (sliding doors)
As the Kaiser Darrin the Peugeot features similar sliding doors. These doors are mostly used on larger cars than the small 1007, but than its very easy to access the interior even in tight parking spaces. Another nice gimmick is that these doors are operated electrically, so when closing the doors you wont hear the typical “clonk” sound, just a little “sssst.”
#9 — Lamborghini Reventón (scissor doors)
Slightly less than the Koenigsegg, this Lamborghini is yet another bedroom poster super car. With its stealthy body and carbon fiber body panels the Reventón is one of the most iconic super cars in the world. Unfortunately you wont be able to purchase one yourself since there were only 22 build and all sold.
#10 — Chevrolet Ramarro, probably… (sliding doors)
Sliding doors come in all shapes and colors. This pair is hinged at the front of the car and will slide out and forward. Looking cool and certainly being one of the lesser used designs, this door has a slight disadvantage … Just as the Koenigsegg’s doors the will widen the car when open, making it a bit tricky in tight spots.
This list doesn’t end here, but the video below does. Just to mention at least three more famous car door designs we throw in the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing doors, Rolls Royce Phantom rear hinged suicide doors and the very unique backwards opening doors of the Lykan HyperSport. And now back to the question from the beginning … Which one would you like to have on your car?
