Gullwing/Verticle doors

[SkyBaby]

Ok.. just left a GREAT performance shop here in the Rockford area...

I can get the verticle doors with the bolt on hinges.. or the weld-on ... they say the weld-on hinges you can get to go 90 degrees.... looks very cool.....hinges..... they say the weld-on are more sturdy... orrrrrrrr

I can get the Gullwing up-lift doors for just a bit more...... They can mount them to the car.......... UGH....

Now what.....? Not sure what to do. SkyBaby

[mbeardsley]

How in the world do they mount Gull-Wings onto a convertible?

[GeniusInABottle]

Originally Posted by mbeardsley

How in the world do they mount Gull-Wings onto a convertible?

I was wondering the same thing

I'd go for the bolt-on over the weld.

[akinmb]

can't get gullwings on a convertable.

[xmicro_Redline]

Skybaby, if someone is trying to sell you Gullwing doors on a convertible I would stay away from those crooks.

That is like trying to sell 4 tires to someone on a motorcycle!

Gullwing doors are hinged to a pillar that runs down the center of the roof and the doors open straight up, like a Delorean or and old mercedes (pic Below).
Since we do not have a roof, that is impossible.

As far as Lambo Doors are concerned, I have seen them on just about every car. To me they look rediculous on a car they are not designed to go on. On the Sky, when you put the door up you can see right into the front fender panel. On a car designed with the doors (Lamorgini) the front fender is sealed and all the body angles are designed so that when the door comes down all the angles line up.

Also, you have to cut a piece off under the hood to fit the hinges, and it weakens that area.

Another bad thing about it, is that the springs that help you to open the doors get worn fairly quick and can come down on you when they fail.

I saw a Solstice with them, he had it at a show with the doors up and the hood up, a wind came along and slammed the hood shut right into the door and put a nasty crease.

Now I know to each his own, but this mod, in my opinion, makes the car cheesier. I guess for maybe a younger guy that really wants to show off, it is cool and different, but this car is cool and different without those cheesy doors.

I am sure there are plenty of guys that will dispute my post but oh well "to each his own". If you do decide to do it, i say go to a good cutom body shop and have it done right. Should cost around $1500 between the hinges and the labor, go get some cool rims, much better investment if you ask me!

[SKYRCKT]

Originally Posted by xmicro_Redline

Skybaby, if someone is trying to sell you Gullwing doors on a convertible I would stay away from those crooks.

That is like trying to sell 4 tires to someone on a motorcycle!

Gullwing doors are hinged to a pillar that runs down the center of the roof and the doors open straight up, like a Delorean or and old mercedes (pic Below).
Since we do not have a roof, that is impossible.

As far as Lambo Doors are concerned, I have seen them on just about every car. To me they look rediculous on a car they are not designed to go on. On the Sky, when you put the door up you can see right into the front fender panel. On a car designed with the doors (Lamorgini) the front fender is sealed and all the body angles are designed so that when the door comes down all the angles line up.

Also, you have to cut a piece off under the hood to fit the hinges, and it weakens that area.

Another bad thing about it, is that the springs that help you to open the doors get worn fairly quick and can come down on you when they fail.

I saw a Solstice with them, he had it at a show with the doors up and the hood up, a wind came along and slammed the hood shut right into the door and put a nasty crease.

Now I know to each his own, but this mod, in my opinion, makes the car cheesier. I guess for maybe a younger guy that really wants to show off, it is cool and different, but this car is cool and different without those cheesy doors.

I am sure there are plenty of guys that will dispute my post but oh well "to each his own". If you do decide to do it, i say go to a good cutom body shop and have it done right. Should cost around $1500 between the hinges and the labor, go get some cool rims, much better investment if you ask me!

I agree with everything above and would add that the lambo doors have been known to weaken the door posts to the point of actually bending the hinges.

[byronsky]

What was the name of the shop, Skybaby?

[SkyBaby]

I called the shop back.. and they said.. they would have to modify something in the inside of the door jamb part.... not for me... But.. I do like the Lambo doors..... .... so... bolt on... rather than... weld? is better? I have seen alot of the cars they have modified.. no, not Skys..... but others for racing... shows , etc... The owner said they dont do the lambo doors alot, but have another shop in town that will do them. Eurotech. I had them work on my M3 a few years back.... This shop I went to is mostly accessories, wheels, lighting kits, shocks... things like that....... hmmmmm.... It is on Alpine near Sandy Hollow.... They were behind Linos there on State... dang.. cant think of the name... I have the card in the kitchen... will post later.... I like the work they have done for show cars.... very ... shiny! SkyBaby

[SkyBaby]

Originally Posted by xmicro_Redline

Skybaby, if someone is trying to sell you Gullwing doors on a convertible I would stay away from those crooks.

That is like trying to sell 4 tires to someone on a motorcycle!

Gullwing doors are hinged to a pillar that runs down the center of the roof and the doors open straight up, like a Delorean or and old mercedes (pic Below).
Since we do not have a roof, that is impossible.

As far as Lambo Doors are concerned, I have seen them on just about every car. To me they look rediculous on a car they are not designed to go on. On the Sky, when you put the door up you can see right into the front fender panel. On a car designed with the doors (Lamorgini) the front fender is sealed and all the body angles are designed so that when the door comes down all the angles line up.

Also, you have to cut a piece off under the hood to fit the hinges, and it weakens that area.

Another bad thing about it, is that the springs that help you to open the doors get worn fairly quick and can come down on you when they fail.

I saw a Solstice with them, he had it at a show with the doors up and the hood up, a wind came along and slammed the hood shut right into the door and put a nasty crease.

Now I know to each his own, but this mod, in my opinion, makes the car cheesier. I guess for maybe a younger guy that really wants to show off, it is cool and different, but this car is cool and different without those cheesy doors.

I am sure there are plenty of guys that will dispute my post but oh well "to each his own". If you do decide to do it, i say go to a good cutom body shop and have it done right. Should cost around $1500 between the hinges and the labor, go get some cool rims, much better investment if you ask me!

Ok.... the Gullwing hinges that were on the other convertibles..... attatched not like on the pics.. but right below the windshield... and... I was reading the performance websites info on them.. and they called them Gullwing. Hmmm... there is more than one kind?.... SkyBaby

[Lil GTO]

Originally Posted by SkyBaby

Ok.... the Gullwing hinges that were on the other convertibles..... attatched not like on the pics.. but right below the windshield... and... I was reading the performance websites info on them.. and they called them Gullwing. Hmmm... there is more than one kind?.... SkyBaby

You are correct SkyBaby - there are folks who have what they call Gullwing doors for convertibles - such as this: http://www.lambodoors.com/DiabloHinge/gullwing.htm

Could be at least in part a Kleenex vs Facial Tissue type question.

You are also correct that there are bolt on as well as weld on kits - and some require more modification than others. Some allow the door to open normally to a certain point - then swing upward.

I believe the bolt on doors are more easily reversed - put the original brackets etc back on - which could be good if you decide you do not like them or you sell or trade-in the car. I suspect the cost would be a bit high for a leased vehicle that you did not intend to keep at the end of the lease -and might even affect your turn in.

Personally I like the idea - and will have to seriously look at the option when I get my Sky RedLine (any year now).

From what I have seen, in my opinion, the product from http://verticaldoors.com would be at the top of my list.

[xmicro_Redline]

Originally Posted by SkyBaby

Ok.... the Gullwing hinges that were on the other convertibles..... attatched not like on the pics.. but right below the windshield... and... I was reading the performance websites info on them.. and they called them Gullwing. Hmmm... there is more than one kind?.... SkyBaby

Gull wing referers to the doors being up like a seagulls wings in flight. Since the door hads no pillar over the side windows it can never work. They are just probably using gull wing to be different. I hate when people just use a name and not realise that the name is also a description.

There are so many better things to do to this car than Lambo doors, especially for that price range. Rimmmmms!

[xmicro_Redline]

Originally Posted by Lil GTO

You are correct SkyBaby - there are folks who have what they call Gullwing doors for convertibles - such as this: http://www.lambodoors.com/DiabloHinge/gullwing.htm

Could be at least in part a Kleenex vs Facial Tissue type question.

You are also correct that there are bolt on as well as weld on kits - and some require more modification than others. Some allow the door to open normally to a certain point - then swing upward.

I believe the bolt on doors are more easily reversed - put the original brackets etc back on - which could be good if you decide you do not like them or you sell or trade-in the car. I suspect the cost would be a bit high for a leased vehicle that you did not intend to keep at the end of the lease -and might even affect your turn in.

Personally I like the idea - and will have to seriously look at the option when I get my Sky RedLine (any year now).

From what I have seen, in my opinion, the product from http://verticaldoors.com would be at the top of my list.

OK that makes sense a bit more. Those are way cooler than Lambo doors, especially if they are electric. A little to "PIMP MY RIDE" for me, but cool.

[rollmodel324]

i agree.. lambo doors seem like a mod you would do way after getting wheels, or something of that nature... i know the dealership here in scottsdale did a special edition sky that had lambo doors and they said they would never do them again, not even for a payin customer... all kinds of problems.

[tym]

They look really snazzy, except that it looks like you would required a bit more room to be able to open them. When I park in my garage, I can only open the door to the first stop and then sort of snake out of the car.

[SkyBaby]

Originally Posted by rollmodel324

i agree.. lambo doors seem like a mod you would do way after getting wheels, or something of that nature... i know the dealership here in scottsdale did a special edition sky that had lambo doors and they said they would never do them again, not even for a payin customer... all kinds of problems.

can you elaborate on "problems" ? SkyBaby

[byronsky]

That shop would be Advent Motoring!

[SkyBaby]

Originally Posted by byronsky

That shop would be Advent Motoring!

Thank you! So.. where do you hide out here? ... I am always out and about..... never seen ya yet. SkyBaby

[rollmodel324]

Honestly, I did not bother to ask, since it was just a floor model and a 2.4 i wasnt interested.. my salesman just told me they would never do it again, there were too many problems. The doors still open and shut, so im sure its something you could deal with if its a mod you really like