Doors and the law. HELP NEEDED.

[jamescarter1981]

Ok, Lambo's of old have the trademark scissor doors that open up.

Is it legal to fit the aftermarket items to the car which will open the same way?

I think yes, but i could be wrong. (Probationer BIB)

Any experienced BIB give me a more solid answer

[Tonyrec]

Without going into type approval and COC's (Certificates of Conformity) etc, i would say that as long as its all fitted properly/safely and that they work without commiting any Con+Use Offences then they would be ok.

Certainly thats how i would be looking at it if you called me over to examine it.

[jamescarter1981]

that's what i thought, otherwise Lambo and the like couldn't use them, and i see no difference between that and a normal car, apart from price and performance!

[Tonyrec]

The trouble with aftermarket fit items is that they are only as good as the fitting.

Ive seen some bad things which we have PG9'd for solely because of the quality of the fitting.

[bumpkin]

there is a huge difference in the engineering. they are a pain to seal and align. getting all the side impact bits to link into the main structure is challenging. due to the high weight some form of assist is needed, often a gas spring. these have to be very small and powerful (aka expensive). if they fail it will hurt a lot, without them you may not be able to get out of the car. simple things like door handles are a pain as they are either out of reach when open or buried beside the seat. those handy door pockets throw their contents all over the roof of the car.

when a stylist decides non-normal doors are wanted it usually gets a groan and a lot of work to get them thrown out as soon as possible.

worked on one such system which didn't make market.

[jamescarter1981]

well, i told said person (Modifier and saxo owner) to get it done properly, so he'll probably ignore my advice.

[FastShow]

jamescarter1981 said:

well, i told said person (Modifier and saxo owner) to get it done properly, so he'll probably ignore my advice.

A Saxo? I think you'll find the fashion police will certainly be interested in pursuing a prosecution.

[jamescarter1981]

well i thought putting a set of hinges on that are worth more than the car was stupid too, but i'm not paying for it, so i don't give a damn!

[Munter]

Saw this style of door fitted to what I think was a 300ZX at Castle Coombe Japfest. Looked quite cool on that car...but on a Saxo...ah well.

[pdV6]

Probably be easier to do some kind of gullwing door, I'd have thought.

BUT - what a waste of time! Better to go buy a proper car and stop hanging around in McDonalds carparks instead...

[gone]

jamescarter1981 said:

well, i told said person (Modifier and saxo owner) to get it done properly, so he'll probably ignore my advice.

Wait until you see him again and go down the insurance line, I bet you a pound to a pinch of ....., that he has not informed them of his modification. They will not be impressed as it will affect the intergrity of the car in anyresulting RTA.

Mods like that will not be covered by type approval as the manufacturers spec has been dramatically changed.

[Mr2Mike]

A big disadvantage of this type of door is that you will be trapped if the car rolls.

[Tonyrec]

Mr2Mike said:

A big disadvantage of this type of door is that you will be trapped if the car rolls.

Also, when you open the door, your chewing gum will fall out onto the road.

[Dibble]

Mr2Mike said:

A big disadvantage of this type of door is that you will be trapped if the car rolls.

If it's a "Modded" Saxo, how will that be a DISadvantage...?

[Mr2Mike]

Dibble said:

Mr2Mike said: A big disadvantage of this type of door is that you will be trapped if the car rolls. If it's a "Modded" Saxo, how will that be a DISadvantage...?

Good point