1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Exterior Conversion

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Old May 17, 2003 | 12:20 AM
  #1  
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Exterior Conversion

I think it would be a awsome conversion to make the doors open vertically (like the Lamborghini doors). What does everyone think? Is this a doable idea? Anyone know if there is a kit (lol) for it?
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Old May 17, 2003 | 12:25 AM
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NOES!!!!

terrible idea
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Old May 17, 2003 | 12:30 AM
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why such a terrible idea?
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Old May 17, 2003 | 12:34 AM
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lambo style doors= rice ++
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Old May 17, 2003 | 03:06 AM
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Those kits are expensive anyway, but... i think it'd be kind of cool... i guess.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 05:06 AM
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The retro kits for scissor doors (some people erroneously call them 'gullwing', not realizing gullwings are totally different) are extremely heavy.

Lamborghini uses a counterbalenced pivot hinge at a specially reinforced frame mount area. The doors have severe tumblehome - the angle of glass from door to roof - and clear the frame by going up in an arc.

Retro kits must pop the door out to clear the rain rails and B pillar first, then pivot up. To do so they run a large, heavy tube through the dash as the mounting point for the doors.

Beaucoup weight & headaches for very little return.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 05:07 AM
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Yeah a guy w/ a show car widebody white 1st gen (i think the one with the mariah mode 1 original model car, not sure tho), was going to do that on his car. Don't know if he ever did or not tho. He lives in Canada.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 03:42 PM
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I think it would be a real unusual design. And just think, who is going to have doors like these at any races?
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Old May 17, 2003 | 03:43 PM
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why would they? They're HEAVY. The lambo design is integrated into the car from the first phases of design and even then they're just there for the cool factor, but aftermarket ones add huge weight up high, the worst possible place to add weight at all nevermind in a 'race' vehicle.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 05:28 PM
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yea, that would be a show only thing, an ugly one at that.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 08:14 PM
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that would be a manergie
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Old May 18, 2003 | 04:23 AM
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If you wanna hack up your ride, those doors are lame.
Try to make a targa type top. I think i would like a 1st gen, targa'ed. I love the size of the stock sun(moon) roofs on FB's. but a removable,panal and all the way across
from window to window would make it, an even more fun sportscar IMO. i guess i just like targas.
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Old May 18, 2003 | 12:50 PM
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If you're going to go Targa, a Lexan panel in the shape of the stock roof (making pretty much everything but the B pillar hoop see-through) would be nice
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Old May 18, 2003 | 03:52 PM
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I've never seen a see-through targa type panal, even
the real targa's are solid. I wonder how much bracing
would need to be added to keep the car from folding in half, sub-frame connectors would be a must ! and bracing of the 'a' pillers would be a good idea. as soon as the roof is cut, it's a flexie flyer.
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Old May 18, 2003 | 05:26 PM
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*laughing*

Here's the kit you asked for!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8&category=318
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Old May 18, 2003 | 05:58 PM
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"the doors will shut good like the original, and they will have no leak or anything"

Oh yeah, this guy knows his stuff
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Old May 18, 2003 | 10:46 PM
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lol
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Old May 19, 2003 | 03:14 AM
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From: Elsenborn, Belgian Eifel
Originally posted by mark perez
I've never seen a see-through targa type panal, even
the real targa's are solid. I wonder how much bracing
would need to be added to keep the car from folding in half, sub-frame connectors would be a must ! and bracing of the 'a' pillers would be a good idea. as soon as the roof is cut, it's a flexie flyer.
Real targa's? Not on a seven! All fake... And the US-build convertible first gens flex like hell! They made some in Germany that were much better done, and I can tell you: it's a lot of work. Reinforcements are due in A-pillars, in rear strut area, in rockerpanels (under the doors, need to be cut open) and so much more. All together a roofless Seven is about 80-90kg heavier then a normal one. The US-build versions of the '80's lack most of these bracings, and are only strenghtened by a sort of U shaped reinforcement, connecting the front and rear subframe. Drive a corner and you'll be either scared or dead. BAD idea!
If you go through with something like that, be carefull, and plan ahead.
German ones are TuV approved, so they are safe. It is possible in other words, but not easy!
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Old May 19, 2003 | 03:36 PM
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Some cars look good with that conversion kit. 1st gen mazda is not one of them. Just look at the way the car is desighned. The only rx7 that can pull that off is the 3rd gen. In fact with the lines on that car, It looks like it was meant to have the doors like that from factory. That's just my opinion.

Last edited by turbo85; May 19, 2003 at 03:38 PM.
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