Posted on 12/17/2018 8:33:35 AM PST by NRx
Once deemed dangerous, suicide doors are making a comeback on the Lincoln Continental.
Ford is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the long-lived luxury Lincoln line by making 80 cars in 2019 with the classic center-opening doors that once served as the signature of the Continental.
The doors are not just a gimmick or aesthetic flourish. By opening toward the rear of the car, they allow passengers in the rear seats to enter and exit the vehicle more comfortably. Passengers don't have to lean forward to push the door open or pull it closed, for example.
The design was featured commonly on horse carriages, hence the name "coach doors." Over time they had come to be called "suicide doors," thanks to the danger of the wind forcing the rear door open while driving at high speeds, according to automotive historians. This was particularly dangerous in the era before seat belts.
More recent takes on the suicide door have incorporated safety features such as locking the door once the car reaches a certain speed.
Apart from the coach doors, the car's wheelbase will be 6 inches longer, which Lincoln said gives the rear seats more room. The car lights up as its driver approaches with a welcoming lighting sequence. The trim is Lincoln's best quality leathers and dash materials, its Black Label, which typically offers higher-quality materials and membership privileges, such as vehicle detailing and free car washes.
Sedans are a tough sell these days. Ford said it plans to all but stop making them over the next several years, with the exception of its Mustang sports car.
But this version of the Continental is more of a specialty sedan, and sales of those are still relatively healthy, said Robert Parker, director of marketing, sales and service at Lincoln.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
I always thought the term suicide doors was in regards to if you happen to be stepping out and a passing car hit the open door, it would do great damage to your leg as opposed to a door opening from the other angle. I thought the original purpose was to allow the driver and front passenger to more easily open the rear door to allow ladies to exit. That was back when women were not insulted by a man opening the car door for them.
There is no blind spot. With a properly adjusted left side view mirror cars approaching on the lane to a drivers left are seen first in the rear view mirror, then the image moves the side view. As the image leaves the side view the overtaking car can be seen directly.
The version I heard back in the day was that the door could be opened at speed and it would blow off, or at least be flattened back allowing a person to jump from a moving vehicle.
I think frame and uni-body construction to allow for no B-pillar would have to be bulky and heavy to add enough strength.
Has Christine Blasey-Ford put one of those in her house yet?
That’s not news. The Rolls-Royce Phantom VII and VIII luxury saloons sport such doors.
I hope Lincoln’s will keep building 3 cars: the Continental, a smaller luxery car and a GT.
Nice color scheme, much like my 2018 Navigator’s, except mine’s a little more toward tan. The exterior is black.
Hi.
“the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII and VIII luxury saloons (sic) sport such doors.”
Saw a midnight blue one yesterday. Beautiful vehicle inside and out.
I think the guy said they start at $250k.
5.56mm
Bonnie & Clyde preferred Ford sedans for the rear hinged driver/passenger doors which enabled Clyde to blaze away without exiting the car.
The doors also left them exposed in the final ambush.
You do understand only the rear doors are considered suicide doors.
“Bespoke customization”
You can carry much armour with a 700 hp engine.
5.56mm
“Bespoke customization”
You can carry much armour with a 700 hp engine.
5.56mm
if you’re getting someone from a wheechair into the back seat this would really help.
Ooops.
5.56mm
I always thought it was if you were standing in front of the open suicide door and the driver took off you would be flattened by the door - versus the standard front hinged door where you would just be left standing there.
Of course if the driver was backing up your mileage may differ.
Doubt anything would have protected them from the bazillion shots.
Funny, that is how I think of GMs. GM is a company run by marketing and bean counters that would dispose of engineering entirely if they could. I have had 3 Fords and have all done well by me.
I had a Chevrolet once and that was an absolute nightmare. It was constantly breaking down. It ate front brake pads every 10-15K miles and every time the brake pads were replaced there was also at least one CV boot found torn. Every time a CV boot tore, it was just a matter of time before the CV joint would start ticking and need to be replaced too. I was also poorly engineered for even basic maintenance. Getting to simple things like the oil filter and spark plugs were a complete PITA. After that disaster I moved into my first Ford and I was astounded at just how much easier everything was to get to and do basic maintenance. Never had a set of brake pads last less than 80k miles since then and haven’t had to replace a single CV joint either. I will never own a GM product again, ever.
My favorite cars though have been my Toyotas and Mazdas. I drive a Subaru now and while it is OK, I probably won’t get another one.
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