Some things are just too COOL to ignore!
I found this site by accident, and the concept is mind boggling. If you thought that gull wing doors were cool this will change your paradigm.
Link: sevenload.com
Boofin' across America
I found this site by accident, and the concept is mind boggling. If you thought that gull wing doors were cool this will change your paradigm.
Link: sevenload.com
Categories: technology - Tags: Car Door, Disappearing Car Door, Jatech
Wow
really great 
But there is one thing… In some cases electro devices can not work good for longer time, especially when you have a cheap car. Many people say, that electronics in the car is the weakest part and I really would not want to stuck on the car, because the door will not get open. Or worst, what if you would fall into water with this car and the door will not open? I do not like too much electronics in my car… The from windows, which can be open automatically, but the back ones rather manual… (I think, that I would never want even automatic gear in my car)
Susan, you are quite right. For this to be practical there must be some way of manually opening the door. I’m not sure how that would work, but surely the engineers at Jatech have been thinking about that as well. Thanks so much for visiting.
Philip
Pretty darn cool…………
Sorry to pop your bubble folks, but I think the video is a fake! The space required to store the door, which is quite thick considering armrests, plus the claimed road clearance, would put the internal floor higher than that in a 4WD, certainly not as low as inferred in the video.
You’ll note very fuzzy details as the door supposedly slides under the car.
Nice idea, but just a dream!
Fred
Castlemaine, Aus
Fred,
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Looking just at Jatec’s video I could see how someone might come to the conclusion that this is a fake video. However looking around further you can find this video which demonstrates the door more clearly. On the inside view you can see that they’ve removed the armrests. Additionally it appears that the interior of the door is a fabric curtain which would help reduce the thickness of the door. It is possible that someone faked the video, but I’m willing to believe that a clever engineer could make this work.
G’day Philip, I’m afraid I’m not convinced as to the integrity of the video. You’ll note that the door simply slides down and disappears. Now bearing in mind that this is a relatively flat sheet of steel, for it to slide under the car without projecting past the outside line of the car, then a section of internal floor must hinge upwards to allow the passage of the door. (Try it with a piece of cardboard) Or, the door itself has a couple of longitudinal piano hinges
My 53 years in the engineering game says it can’t be done. (I’d love to be proved wrong)
Well Fred you have certainly aroused my curiosity. Having worked in the film industry for almost ten years, and understanding how a video like this might be faked I think that actually building these prototypes would be a lot cheaper than faking the video. That’s my opinion. As a result of your comment though I’m interested in discovering wether or not Jatech is for real or if it’s just a huge internet hoax. I’ve sent an email to Steven Kincade at Ford public relations to verify the claim that Jatech makes that they were invited by Ford to Ghia coachworks in Italy where they built an Explorer prototype with this door. Now I’m looking forward to seeing what Ford says (if anything) about this project.
Have you seen the concept powerpoint slideshow on Jatech’s website? It’s got some interesting drawings and renderings on how this door works. Best of the day to you.
Fred, The guys over at Ford responded. ” have never seen or heard anything about this. Total mystery to me.
Do you have any contacts at Jatech — the best way to find out is to determine “who” at Ford they spoke to. I can help chase that person to confirm.
Is bizarre looking — the speed at which the door moves makes it look like a hoax. But I do not know for sure.”
Mark Schirmer
Ford Motor Company | Lincoln Mercury Communications
Seems like this would be something the guys at Ford would remember.
Maybe American car companies should focus more on cars that run efficiently, don’t break down often, or work on some alternative fuel source….rather than focus on a gimmick door. I do admit I’m a bit prejudiced against any car built after the 60′s because I think they’re all pretty junky. Or maybe the big three could start a new campaign of producing fake videos for the internet? That is if they’re not too busy flying around the nation in private jets. Zing!
Hi Jay,
Thanks so much for the comment. I’d like to put a point on it that Jatech is NOT an American car company. They don’t have any affiliation with any of the big three auto makers. They’re an independent company with (in my opinion) a very interesting idea. There are some outstanding automobiles coming out of Detroit these days. The cars are solid, well built, high quality machines. As with just about any marque there are dogs among the various makes and models, and there are some gems. My personal favorite is the 4 door jeep wrangler.
Guys.. I hate to tell you doubting thomases this… but the car is indeed real. You COULD have bought it it here for $15,000… but you missed it
http://www.ronsusser.com/inventory.asp?i=857
Philip,
It is interesting that you mention Jeep 4 door. About 5 years ago when we were in the Tampa Bay area of Florida we saw a couple of 4 door CJ’s. There was a fella stretching regulator Jeep CJ’s out to make them 4 door CJ’s.( Jeeps Unlimited I think) most were CJ 5′s. I still have his business card around here somewhere. I think he was on Ulmendon road in Clearwater, Fl. I think he also has a web site.
HI Ken,
Do doubt that gentleman has a nice business going. At first I wasn’t all that hot on a 4-door jeep, but when my friend bought one I started to see the advantages. It’s a great mod for a jeep.
I think this is all false if your anygood at anagrams you will see it is really J Cheat