Lambo Doors
Also known as “beetle wings,” “scissor doors,” and even “jackknife” or “switchblade doors,” lambo doors represent cutting edge (no pun intended) style for a large selection of contemporary vehicles. Once available only on the Lamborghini (hence the name “lambo doors”), new retrofit kits allows almost anyone to install these unique and stylish doors to their vehicle.
They Made History
Not to be confused with “suicide doors” (which are simply regular car doors hinged at the rear), lambo doors were first introduced in an Italian concept car known as the Alfa Romeo Carabo. The designer’s name was Marcello Gandini; now nearing the age of 70, he has been the designer of many classic Italian sports cars. The lambo door wasn’t actually installed on a Lamborghini until 1974, when it was used on the Countach (an untranslatable Italian expression used by men in the Piedmont region when seeing a particularly attractive female).
The next Lamborghini model to use the lambo door was the convertible mid-engined Diablo (“Devil”), which ceased production in 2001. Currently, the only production car in the world that employs the lambo door is the Lamborghini Murciélago (moor-see-AY-la-go; Spanish for “bat”).
Now Available To Almost Everyone
Needless to say, there are not many of us who can afford the Murciélago’s $313,000 price tag, and fewer of us who would spend that kind of money on an automobile if we could. However, thanks to the automotive aftermarket accessory industry, now many of us can purchases kits that retrofit our perhaps less exalted vehicles with these unique doors.
Aside from the unique stylishness of lambo doors, they actually have some practical advantages as well. Like the gullwing doors that were used on the Delorean (remember those?), lambo doors open upwards, but not outwards. Instead, they open parallel to the body, making them very handy for use with very large, wide vehicles like the Hummer 2 (or for people who wind up having to use crowded parking lots).
Some of these aftermarket conversion kits allow for the best of both worlds; these particular lambo doors open not only upwards but outwards as well, allowing extra versatility.
Easy Installation
Most of the lambo door conversion kits on the aftermarket today feature simple, straightforward bolt-on installation; turning your ride into an eye-catcher that will stand out from the herd is as easy as lift, attach and tighten; all you’ll need is a few simple hand tools such as socket wrenches with a brakeover handle and a screwdriver. Some lambo door kits require a bit of welding; if you have such skills (or are willing to hire someone to do it) this may be a good choice for you. If you do choose to by a lambo door kit that requires welding however, it is highly recommended that you have it professionally done by a qualified welding shop, as the procedure is rather involved.
That said, there is no one modification you can make to your vehicle that is more attention-getting, yet more practical than the installation of lambo doors.
Eric Ferguson
ericferguson@andysautosport.com
408-263-9207 x106
Andy's Auto Sport
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