Lambo doors on Esprit

[FRANTIC FRANC]

I've heard of 'Lambo' doors on newer Lotus models (but never seen any) so just wondered if anyone has tried to fit them successfully or tried/failed/given up ??

[karmavore]

Why? I think proper gull wing doors would be cool, and functional. You would need a ton of reinforcement, if it's possible at all. But scissor doors? Lame.

[FRANTIC FRANC]

Why? I think proper gull wing doors would be cool, and functional. You would need a ton of reinforcement, if it's possible at all. But scissor doors? Lame.

Possibly but with gull wings I have visions of Esprit owners pushing their cars into the garage

[Jonathan]

M250 had butterfly doors

So glad they made it in the end - the Evora that is.

I agree, Lambo doors, the clue is in the name, leave them on Lambos FFS

Edited October 20, 2010 by Jonathan

[The Veg]

I agree, Lambo doors, the clue is in the name, leave them on Lambos FFS

+1!

[Advantage]

Our resident style and taste guru, Karl, looked into this a while ago. Obviously, he knows a few people in the bodywork modifying profession who are familiar with the scissor kits and unfortunately, they all deemed the Esprit to be unsuitable for the conversion. It's mainly due to the Esprit's construction around the door hinge and wheelarch area which is different to normal monocoque cars.

Naturally anything is possible and if you throw enough money at the problem then you will be able to do whatever you want, however none of the 'off the shelf' kits will work and it will be up to you to design and produce a bespoke solution.

[Quicker]

+1

the issue for aftermarket kits is that they usually tuck in behind the fender - in the hollow space between the body and fender (where the average car has the stock door hinge). The Esprit does not have this area - the end of the door frame is sealed flush - so no room to tuck the aftermarket scissor hinge.

Edited October 21, 2010 by Quikr

[paulbutvila]

I looked into this option a while back. Found that there is no room to mount the hardware, at least so it would look " right " Gull wing doors on the other hand will work but some stiffining on the roof will be in order to handle the weight. Best bet here would be to make two new doors from carbon fibre. If you know how to make molds that is.

[silverfrost]

Franc,

Never mind the lambo doors mate, more intrested if you have got the mutant on the road yet Hows she doing

Regards danny

[jfitz981]

Hello,

I thought about this idea at one time but I had a friend install the scissor kit on his Gallardo and he's had nothing but issues with the doors. I quickly passed on that thought after seeing the issues he had...

J

[karmavore]

I'm really keen on gull-wing doors (a la the SLR, DMC-12), but it's definitely a $20K+ project.

Doesn't this old Veilside Supra look amazing? ...anyone? :-)

[paulbutvila]

I think it looks really cool!

[Dave Freeman]

I have seen and played with a 1990 SE with full gull wing doors, it looks great, and they do fit well. however they were a one off made by a local engineering company. If you contact Scott or Brett at Custom exotic in Harlow they may be able to help you with a supplier, worth a call. contact me if you want more information, they have a web site.

Dave

[karmavore]

You're kidding, really? Got pictures???

[mtooze]

Take a look at the scissor hinge assemblies you can buy for honda civics etc. They are pretty big and beefy...I have no idea how you could possibly mount the same in the A pillar area on in an Esprit. But...people told me I couldnt fit inboard rear disks on my TVR 2500M. About 400h of labor later, voila!

Lastly, even Lambos dont have lambo doors anymore, at least my Gallardo doesnt

Marcus

[Bibs]

[Dave Freeman]

I will contact Scott at custom exotic and get him to call u. I will look for pictures and put them up on the forum.

May take a few days to get.

Dave

[karmavore]

That would be amazing, Dave! Thanks a million.

I don't think Scott and I will get to work together though. I'm in the US.

[karmavore]

Happen to find any pics, Dave?

[The Veg]

Somebody on the TurboEsprit Yahoo! list recently asked about putting Lambo doors on their Esprit, oddly enough not for style but because the guy is big and wants to get in and out more easily in crowded car-parks...anyway, a shop that does the conversions turned him down because of lack of ability to get behind the front wings, and then the engineers on the list went on about lack of structure in there for affixing the things with their very heavy hinges. I was rather pleased to hear all of it! Our cars should be safe from such bastardisations...

[Dave Freeman]

will look today for you, sorry for the delay.

dave

[Custom Exotics]

As my first post and I know this is an old topic and as its my car Dave was talking about I thought I had better add a couple of pics work on the car is still ongoing and only gets done when I can dig it out a corner and fit it in around my paying work .Will prob start a new topic on it soon as work is about to restart after a year of it being stuck in that corner. regards to all

Oh just a note holes in the wings have now gone was going to vent it after using to get to the hinges for the mock up work but then decided didn't like them

Edited October 31, 2012 by Custom Exotics

[superdavelotus]

Looking goooood!

When do you think the car will be ready or at least with some paint?

David

[Custom Exotics]

hopefully looking at early next year will put it back on road run it for a bit till I source the engine I need for an engine conversion.

[karmavore]

Very interesting!