Hypothetical: What do you think would happened if you opened your doors at speed?

[nullset]

Let's say you're driving on the highway, doing 65-70 mph, and somehow manage to pry your door open. Or, you started with the doors open and quickly accelerated.

What do you think would happen?

I suspect that the doors would bend and not close very well after that, if at all. I also think the hinges are strong enough that they wouldn't necessarily break.

Don't try this at home, but what do you think? Has anyone tried it? What's the maximum safe speed with doors open? I only do it in parades, <5 mph.

--buddy

[Michael]

According to wiki, Glenn Beck had a Delorean in the early 90's and was arrested for speeding with the doors up(I think he was going 90). I opened mine at 30 once and the wind about pulled it out of my hand. I would not want to do that at speed.

[WelmoedJ]

I started from zero with both doors open and ran her up to 50 mph.
Kept it at that speed for 4 laps.
This was on a smooth street circuit of about 1 mile.
No problems, only awfully cold (temp some 12 degrees Celsius).

The temperature would be the only reason not to do it again.

[nullset]

I started from zero with both doors open and ran her up to 50 mph.
Kept it at that speed for 4 laps.
This was on a smooth street circuit of about 1 mile.
No problems, only awfully cold (temp some 12 degrees Celsius).

The temperature would be the only reason not to do it again.

Wow, you're much braver than I am. I guess the load on the doors from wind isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd hate to see what would happen if they started bouncing, though.

--buddy

[dmcjohn]

I've opened my doors above 40mph - no issue. I've probably had them open up to 60 ish.

[SoCalDMC12]

I've had my car up to about 50 and noticed that the door wasn't latched. I opened it enough so I could slam it completely shut without any problems.

[Jonathan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AFRXXMY4M

[outatym2001]

Let's say you're driving on the highway, doing 65-70 mph, and somehow manage to pry your door open. Or, you started with the doors open and quickly accelerated.

What do you think would happen?
--buddy

JUST DO IT! As you’re driving on a level high speed freeway/highway with your left hand lift up on the door handle and keep your left elbow on the arm rest. Then allow the door to slowly raise.

Look at the profile of the door when it’s open. It will neither go up or down because of the wind. It will simply stay in the open position because of the torsion bar and the gas charged strut.
I have opened my driver door many times on the freeway at 60 mph and left it open so people could take pictures. The hard part is reaching for the leather strap with your left hand while holding the steering with your right and taking your eyes off the road so you can grab the strap.

Here is a link to a video of a Lamborghini Diablo with scissor wing doors and they simply stay up until the guy reaches for it and closes it.

Lambo Driver Gloating on The Highway!
http://www.streetfire.net/video/lambo-driver-gloating-on-the-highway_2360584.htm

[Bikercmbc]

i was doing about 60 with door up and took this picture. ive had the doors up doing around 75, but i held on to it and didnt just let it go all the way up on its own81248124

[David T]

Besides the obvious aerodynamic drag you need to have your seat belt on. The main concern would be hitting a bump at speed and having the doors bounce. That will put a LOT of stress on the roof section. I guess the next post is going to ask about "Ghost Riding" a Delorean!
David Teitelbaum

[Jonathan]

I guess the next post is going to ask about "Ghost Riding" a Delorean!
David Teitelbaum

No sweat David! We got that one covered already!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kFKyvoJd4M

[Nicholas R]

The biggest thing would be just that drivimg 65mph, THEN opening the door, the wind is certainly going to have the tendency to grab the door and rip it open putting a LOT of strain on both the door hinges and the shock studs. Kind of like when you let a door open by itself on a car whose torsion bars are adjusted way too strong. As long as you ease the door open it doesn't seem like it would be a problem. Just dont let the wind take it away.

[Ryan King]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AFRXXMY4M

Hahahahahahaha, thats me. (Avatar)

[DMC3165]

No sweat David! We got that one covered already!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kFKyvoJd4M

I'd laugh my ass of if that car hit something while these guys were filming this.

[David T]

On the TV show 1000 Ways to Die the car DID run him over! It wasn't a Delorean though. I guess everyone want their 15 seconds of fame. Like Ron White said, "There is no fixin STUPID!"
David Teitelbaum

[Farrar]

And here I have been letting my D sit during the really hot weather because I had no a/c. If only I had known I could just drive with the doors open...! :tantrum:

[john 05141]

Did anyone ever drive without the doors at all? I can immagine that when the doors are out to work on the roofbox or so, it would be fun to drive a T-roof Delorean.
Love to see pictures of that.
Jan

[rothsean]

Let's say you're driving on the highway, doing 65-70 mph, and somehow manage to pry your door open. Or, you started with the doors open and quickly accelerated.

What do you think would happen?

I suspect that the doors would bend and not close very well after that, if at all. I also think the hinges are strong enough that they wouldn't necessarily break.

Don't try this at home, but what do you think? Has anyone tried it? What's the maximum safe speed with doors open? I only do it in parades, <5 mph.

--buddy


I think that if you are at 60mph or more the car will lift off and instantly become airborne. The steering wheel will convert into a control yoke and if you apply back pressure you will pitch the car up and climb.

The tires will convert all of the surrounding air into thrust and before you know it you will be at 100+mph and at 1,000 feet or so. At that point you contact the local approach control facility and tell them that you need a local IFR flight plan because you need to land at the nearest airport or large highway.




Wait, that was my dream....what was the original question??

[cybercusp]

I'm going to say you want VFR..I wouldn't trust those instruments and your brand new at this flying D so let's take it one step at a time. Unless you've done this before, in which case, I call shotgun.

[Kerichbe]

What! you didn't know that 'Q' was one of the engineers at DMC ? :hysterical:

[Kukem]

I think that if you are at 60mph or more the car will lift off and instantly become airborne. The steering wheel will convert into a control yoke and if you apply back pressure you will pitch the car up and climb.

The tires will convert all of the surrounding air into thrust and before you know it you will be at 100+mph and at 1,000 feet or so. At that point you contact the local approach control facility and tell them that you need a local IFR flight plan because you need to land at the nearest airport or large highway.

Wait, that was my dream....what was the original question??

You've pretty much described the car from M.A.S.K. looks like it's modeled after an Iroc maybe? Not sure as it is a cartoon.

13868

[jawn101]

You've pretty much described the car from M.A.S.K. looks like it's modeled after an Iroc maybe? Not sure as it is a cartoon.

13868

I had a totally awesome model of that as a kid. The doors opened with a spring-loaded button on the top. I liked it mainly because it reminded me of a DeLorean. I don't know as there were any toy DeLoreans when I was a kid. I sure didn't have one, not until the mid 90's anyway.

[Rhsxo]

Did anyone ever drive without the doors at all?

never drove with the doors up but I have removed the doors from my VW Thing and drove that around with no doors. It's really cool driving with no doors. Makes you feel like your going fast....even though your not.