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 can't count)
Don’t forget the curb feelers.
Notice these doors open to a 90 degree angle. Part of the concept?
You mean the ones that skewered the driver upon impact? No thanks... I've seen those in Russian cars (Lada) after an accident. I'll take my collapsible steering column with an airbag in the middle.
I owned a Jaguar Mk VII sedan for a couple of years in my college days.
It was a Canadian car that somehow had found its way to Iowa City.
3.4 motor was replaced with a gold head 3.8. 4 speed/electric OD.
Painted it two tone cream/brown.
Ladys thought it was a Rolls...
“Personally, I miss the steel dashboard and non-collapsable steering column.
You mean the ones that skewered the driver upon impact? No thanks... I’ve seen those in Russian cars (Lada) after an accident. I’ll take my collapsible steering column with an airbag in the middle.”
Yeah, me too. That was sarcasm in keeping with the spirit of the thread. Never had a car seat as a kid. Used to cut the seatbelts out back in the 70’s, they were in the way. Now I can’t go around the block without wearing one. Times change.
I’d like one of those in Canary Yellow, Burnt Orange, Hunter Green and Midnight Blue!
I have my eye on a white ‘61 Morgan 4/4 with a red interior.
Oh, that sounds nice!
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