So I want to design a lambo door kit for Esprits

So I want to design a lambo door kit for Esprits

Author
Discussion

greezmunky

Original Poster:

129 posts

261 months

Friday 10th June 2005
quotequote all
Unfortunately the esprits hinge design is closer to a Model T then any modern car so it looks like I'm starting from scratch. Looking at the hinge design:

[pic]http://espritbuilder.com/hinge.jpg[/pic]

I can convert the upper mount point into a ball/socket hinge (sorry I'm a doctor not an engineer) that will allow the door to both swing out and pivot. I can use the lower attachment point to mount a gas strut with the other end attaching to a fixed point on the door. The trick is going to be keeping the entire thing stable after eliminating the lower mounting point. Just curious to see if there is any interest in something like this. I would love to be able to bang out a bolt on package for under $500, but I'd also be happy having the only esprit with scissor doors!

Autocross7

524 posts

255 months

Friday 10th June 2005
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Me? I'm a stock kind of guy... (did add rear smoke and a forward modified 30 carbine to an Austin Healy once in collage to proove I could do it) But mostly I'm stock. Have not done much to my Esprit...
However...
I like to fiddle a bit with ideas. The ball joint is not a bad idea if you can get the diameter of the ball and joint large enough to support the weight and small enough to fit as a ball and plate set up. As for support in general...

If... mind you I have only been thinking about this for a moment... but, you could set up a frame work that bolted inside the door and was shaped like a rectangle spouting a triangle that angled to the ball joint... you could get a great deal of support.

------------------------------O
|--------------------|------/
|--------------------|-----/
|--------------------|----/
--------------------------

(sorry this is not exactly art, but you get the idea)

Getting a secure way to fit this into the door could be more complicated than it is worth I admit...

Hmmm...
good luck!
Drive topless!!!
Cameron

>> Edited by Autocross7 on Friday 10th June 06:15

GKP

15,099 posts

246 months

karmavore

696 posts

260 months

Friday 10th June 2005
quotequote all
I think we should do a GROUP BUY so we can snag the lot and then HAVE THEM DESTROYED

Good grief...

My thoughts anyway.

Lucas.

Cross-eyed-twit

8,675 posts

265 months

Friday 10th June 2005
quotequote all

paul c

310 posts

254 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
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Is a lot of money. And you don't get anything from it
at the wheel, people will only notice if you park with
the doors open, and even then, the car will still be
more of a pull than how the door hinges.

My 2p is i'd bank the money and spend it on the next
expensive thing that goes wrong, which it will...

...sometime





*Mind you, i don't have the money spare!
Hell, if i did, who knows?
tiger print seats?
Chrome wheels?
Nose bra?
neons?

Probably for the best

greezmunky

Original Poster:

129 posts

261 months

Saturday 11th June 2005
quotequote all
None for you guys.. lol.. such hostility.. picked up a big bag of parts from home depot and I'm going to start brainstorming this over the weekend.

karmavore

696 posts

260 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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Like I've said before, the major problem I have with these things (besides being ostentatious and non functional) is that they don't work like they do on a Lambo. That is, you have to first open the door out and then pivot it up. It's like your car is posing or something.

Might as well make a device that holds up your roof panel and spins it like a pizza when you wistele the James Bond theme. Both make as much sence.

Lucas.

dbebb55

109 posts

248 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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Oh great... I'm gonna have swing up doors using crap from Home Depot. Lets see..A couple of 2x4's and those barn gate hinges should do it........Oh God..I've gone to Lotus HELL
Dave
90SE [with normal doors]

greezmunky

Original Poster:

129 posts

261 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
quotequote all
just wait.. gonna throw some lucas parts in there as well

Cross-eyed-twit

8,675 posts

265 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
quotequote all
Just keep a sense of humour about it and it will be fine...

markuskj

143 posts

243 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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LOL - I have never must a group of car owners so keen to stamp their views on to others

Personally I am one for maintaining the essential features of the car as Lotus saw fit but would really worry when I was reacting with such ichor to this post.

Customising a car is, for some, the main reason for buying it - because it is not what you would do is no reason to be prattish about it, as you can see from his reaction he was not looking for you opinion of his idea.

Vivre la difference!!

Dr.Hess

837 posts

255 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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karmavore said:

Might as well make a device that holds up your roof panel and spins it like a pizza when you wistele the James Bond theme.


Where can I get one of these?

Dr.Hess

karmavore

696 posts

260 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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I'm going to rumage through the dumpsters behind Pizza Hut today and try to have a prototype put together by this evening. Group buy to follow...

teigan

866 posts

239 months

Sunday 12th June 2005
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be nice people.
i live in a neighborhood where most of the new cars have been dealer/tuner modified with diabolical door hinges. the majority are AMG mercs. seems the trend is here to stay since it also inflates the resale value of a car. still waiting to see one fall off. would i want one on my esprit? oddly, it isn't a high priority. i'm glad when the electric windows work.

wedg1e

26,843 posts

270 months

Monday 13th June 2005
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You'd be lucky if you could find enough solid bodywork to take the weight of the door once it's four feet in the air...

The only 'mod' I've ben tempted to do to my Esprit (in a James Bond style) is to have the rear number plate swing down to reveal a brace of paintball guns, for those ar5eholes who insist on driving right up to your bumper....

splodge s4

1,519 posts

242 months

Monday 13th June 2005
quotequote all
wedg1e said:

The only 'mod' I've ben tempted to do to my Esprit (in a James Bond style) is to have the rear number plate swing down to reveal a brace of paintball guns, for those ar5eholes who insist on driving right up to your bumper....


Hey now your talking, i thought of that & its easier than you think, I thought of using the inside bit of a letter box where the flap is spring loaded to stay closed (letter box that goes in doors not the red ones on the street), mount it upside down to the car & then the plate to the flap, it then flods down & springs up....

To operate it all you need is a semi auto electric ariel, its got all the wiring ready & when you press the switch the ariel pokes out the back & lowers the plate, swich the other way & up it comes. The battery is even in the perfect place to wire it all up! It would take about 5 mins to take it all out if you needed to in a hurry...

Must admit i did think of it to avoid Gatsos not for paint ball guns but now i think about it....

Dr.Hess

837 posts

255 months

Monday 13th June 2005
quotequote all
BB machine pistols. Mount a fire extinguisher and charge it with air for the power, small solinoid to trip the trigger. For rearward action, put a small X on the rear view mirror at point of aim. A piece of pinstrip should make a good foreward sight system. Wire a switch into the horn circuit to change from normal (horn) to Fire Control System. For front/rear systems, have a three position switch: Horn, Foreward, Rearward.

Dr.Hess

greezmunky

Original Poster:

129 posts

261 months

Monday 13th June 2005
quotequote all
wedg1e said:
The only 'mod' I've ben tempted to do to my Esprit (in a James Bond style) is to have the rear number plate swing down to reveal a brace of paintball guns, for those ar5eholes who insist on driving right up to your bumper....


Not difficult at all.
- 1 wiper motor
- 2 mini switches
- 2 bosch relays
- some wires and an up/down switch

Back in the 90's I made a bunch of them for friends, mounted 4 piaa projectors behind the plate with 135 watt piaa bulbs.. aka "zap light". Very effective for discouraging tailgaters.

teigan

866 posts

239 months

Monday 13th June 2005
quotequote all
a decade ago, i mounted a paint ball gun to the front of an ATV. because the ammo is spherical, it's impossible to aim. you still hit your target if you unload enough ammo, but it becomes an antipersonnel weapon. i even managed to hit myself on occasion, when traveling more than 20mph. you'd be hitting cars in neighboring lanes with your current plan. i'd revise it with a paint sprayer. you don't need encapsulation since you're firing behind you. shoot recycled motor oil in pressure bursts and you'll be able to narrow your spread somewhat better than a paintball. most importantly, the legal penalties for having a weapon on your vehicle can be argued effectively by saying it's expected that a lotus spatter a little oil.