“If the driver is hanging onto the handle he gets pulled out of the car.”
Not the driver (impossible) but the back seat occupant.
We had a ‘64 growing up and I was never intimated by the doors at all, loved the electric wind-wings!
As mentioned here many pickups have these doors as well as the 2003-2011 Honda Element. In these vehicles the rear door could not open unless the front door was open. Very difficult to get a rear passenger out of a Honda Element in a parking lot...Had a 2003 model.
Happy new year!
I think it’s a good promotional strategy. And, as others have said, entry/exit is easier. Btw, I agree with those who say it was one of the most beautiful cars of its time, along with the T-Bird of that era.
The FJ Cruiser 2006-2014 has this door setup. I have driven an FJ since 2010. I still haven’t committed suicide, must be doing something wrong.
Actually, back in the day, back when they picked up the name, the driver could easily go out because a number of cars had suicide doors in the front. I have driven many miles in a '41 Hupmobile with suicide doors in the front. I never felt that I was more likely to fall out but, if you did, you would be far more likely to get scooped into the running gear of the car. You would most likely get pulled under the rear tires rather than get thrown free. They did have a certain elegance getting in an out. It was quite unencumbered access. Very nice