I've thought about this for the last several years... gull-wing doors on a Fiero - Delorean style! I've done quite a bit of thinking about this & think it's totally do-able. My main concern would be the weight of the doors on the custom-built side-window frames. I'm still brain-storming the idea & I know that I DON'T have all the answers. Anybody care to discuss their ideas? I know that some people are going to hate this idea & flame it... but surely somebody will kinda like it...

Actually, this has been discussed MANY times.. One thing you can do is click on the Search Button up there ^^^^^^^^^ and then search in the Archived General Fiero chat and TD&Q. Look for "Gullwing" or Gull Wing Doors. MANY threads on this with information and answers.

And if you have not been properly welcomed to the forum, then Welcome. Enjoy your stay, and be sure you have a 12 step program for the addiction.

There is a company that sells Lambo hinges for the Fiero. They ain't cheap, in fact they went up in price $400 in about a month. http://www.carexcess.com They use the existing door and they claim it a direct bolt on. BTW welcome .......Paul

unless you add a frame to the top of the window, i cant see how you would attach it..

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quote Originally posted by MiZer: unless you add a frame to the top of the window, i cant see how you would attach it..

EXACTLY! A window frame would have to be built around a "slightly" cut-down side glass. Also a "half-roof" section would have to be added to the top of the door. Think of a T-top roof section... now imagine a T-top attached to the top of the window frame. The "T-top" area of the door would then be hinged to the center T-top bar of the roof. Gas struts would also have to be incorporated. I know this is a rough visual, but the concept is there. I know this would make a fairly hefty project... but man, it would be different than most other Fieros. I haven't seen anybody do this to a Fiero yet, but surely somebody has thought about doing it. If anybody has tried to do this, please share pics!!

this is a forum members car there was ALOT of pics of it, but this is the only one i have

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Rich AIM: ONE FAST 2M8
white-- 86se V6 daily driver
Gold--- 86se 355 SBC

Lambo doors look great too!! But what I'm talking about is, Delorean-style doors that hinge in the center of the roof.

I like THIS one better...

The rest are HERE:

www.fiero5000.com/preserve

I'd be happy to blab with ya about it. just PM me...

I applaud your attempt at making a gullwing Fiero, just remember that the Delorean has different type doors (framed) and they (the doors) probably weigh less then the Fiero.

-FieroRumor

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[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 04-20-2004).]

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: Actually, there IS one "Gullwing Fiero" out there, made by Venom... It is possible, but one hellova Job. Looks like a job for Archie...

ARCHIE!!! HELP!!!!

I think a gull-wing Fiero would look awsome, and would look better if done on a fastback...but the Notchback may be easier to hide the nessessary door modifications...

Actually, isn't SmoooooothGT going to make his Fiero Gullwing?

there will be quite some fabricating involved but I think it is possible, just like lambo-style doors are possible today... but there's a lot of research to do first...

I have been in a DeLorean but it seemed like the dampers needed replacing because it took some effort to open the door Nontheless those doors are really cool!

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: Actually, isn't SmoooooothGT going to make his Fiero Gullwing?

I didn't think so..... but he will do anything to keep it from being painted!

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: I think a gull-wing Fiero would look awsome, and would look better if done on a fastback...but the Notchback may be easier to hide the nessessary door modifications... Actually, isn't SmoooooothGT going to make his Fiero Gullwing?

ah-ha! Mine IS a fastback! I'm hoping to be able to fit the gull-wing door into the stock door opening (with the exception of the roof) as much as possible. I think I've located a set of doors w/ glass to experiment with. I'm also thinking about rocker-reinforcement that some of the F355 Spyders use, to strengthen the car. I'm also wondering if I need to reinforce the windshield frame to support the weight of the doors as they push down on the roof...

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: I like THIS one better...

in your dreams!! lol...

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My car is for sale if anyone is interested pm me

I have been in a DeLorean but it seemed like the dampers needed replacing because it took some effort to open the door Nontheless those doors are really cool!

Yeah, me 2. a lot of them need to be replaced...things sag with time...(looks in the mirror) dang, my poor man-boobs...

I say, if ya gonna do it, you may hafta take some weight off the doors. (may make it less safe...) Also, strengthen the roof, also change the edges of the doors to be angled "inward" instead of vertical.

Or, just buy a Delorean!

I would LOVE to take a Fiero and take a month off work and just try to do this with a buddy of mine..he owns a truck repair place, and has the right tools and space to do the job (or make a big mess)

I do 3D modeling & drafting for a living (& quite decent at it IMO)!! I'll see if I can whip up some concept images to share. It may take me a little while to get it set up though...

ok, I have some images of the gull-wing concept... I can't seem to figure out how to post them though... can anybody help me?

Easiest way is to click the PIP button on the bottom of every page, download the program, and use it to upload pics. If it won't work for you, go to www.cardomain.com and set up a free page there and link the pictures over here.

2 big thing about the gull wings:
-Don't park in "compact" spaces. You won't get the door open without taking off someones paint.
-The doors are HEAVY, and after time the lifters get bad, making it very hard or impossible to get the doors open. People have actually been trapped in the car because the doors are too heavy to lift if the lifters fail.

Just food for thought. They definately look cool!

Since a fiero is so low, it might be hard to get in and out of the car. You might have to bend waayy over and under the door to slide onto the seat ? Just a thought ....

Theoretically one could take a t-top car, fabricate a metal frame around the windows and a solid piece in place of the t-tops with a hinge in the center that is also attached to the door. Add two struts to each door and another door latch in the old hinge area and you would have gull wing doors. The window glass does not need cutting as it is enclosed in the new metal frame that surrounds it, this frame is securely attached to the doors. With support from the struts the weight of the door is minimal and it would look similar to a DeLorean. But then who would be crazy enough to try it?

It could be done pretty easy. Just splash a Fiero door out of fiberglass like the kit makers do. The door would be extremely light, and you would use fixed lexan side windows with a small sliding window like some of the Diablos. Cut the Fiero roof on top in the shape you desire. Use aluminum stock to form the cutout in the roof and continue to the newly molded doors. Then decide what type of hinges you want to use. be sure to use an x-brace before you cut the roof.

For some reason, I'm having all kinds of trouble posting pictures... :-( I can't download ANYTHING on my work computer!!! Administrative rights?! AHHHH!!!

Would anybody post them for me, if I emailed them to you? Pleeeeeze?

quote Originally posted by Fastback 86: Easiest way is to click the PIP button on the bottom of every page, download the program, and use it to upload pics. If it won't work for you, go to www.cardomain.com and set up a free page there and link the pictures over here. 2 big thing about the gull wings: -Don't park in "compact" spaces. You won't get the door open without taking off someones paint. -The doors are HEAVY, and after time the lifters get bad, making it very hard or impossible to get the doors open. People have actually been trapped in the car because the doors are too heavy to lift if the lifters fail. Just food for thought. They definately look cool!

- the delorean requires 14 inches of side cleanerce to open the doors. now open your fiero door 14 inches and try and get out!! now, it does, of course require more vertical clearence....

-the gas "lifters" in a delorean arent what hold up most of the weight in the doors. at the top of the hinge there is a cryogenically treated torsion bar. if they are hard to get up, then it prolly is in need of adjustment. would hope delorean owners are aware of this, too....

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Brandon Edmonds

1996 Taurus SHO (my baby)
1986 Ford EXP (rust galore, but im keepin it!)
1986 Fiero (to be my street rocket)
1977 yamaha xs750-2D (in pieces right now, will be done for summer!)

You can email them to me

wpg_fiero@mts.net

quote Originally posted by FieroAddict: You can email them to me wpg_fiero@mts.net

Thanks! I just sent them to you. They're not the best quality, but they'll get the point across... I only spent about an hour creating the images... PLUS, I just guessed on all the measurements. :-)

Here they are

Thanks, FieroAddict!

ok... these are really rough concepts. If anybody has another approach, pm me & I'll model up a concept. Be patient with me though!! I move kinda slow!!!

well that is certainly an interesting way to do it! my buddys and i have discussed doing something simular where the doors open up, however they would swing out and over the car remaining vertical. we have drawn up some basic plans, and believe that it could be very possible.

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1985 Pontiac Fiero 2.5 SE, 218,000 miles and still runing!!!
more pics of my 85 can be found here
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT, 134,000 miles! She's alive finaly!
1987 Pontiac Fiero 2.8 SE, 54,000 miles :( with frame damage :damon: <- Doomed unless someone has a really cheep frame in so. callifornia! soon to become a camper/trailer!

quote Originally posted by tednelson83: my buddys and i have discussed doing something simular where the doors open up, however they would swing out and over the car remaining vertical. we have drawn up some basic plans, and believe that it could be very possible.

if you have an electronic drawing, send it to me & I'll be happy to model it up for you...

Try modifying the doors and the rockers, so that you're only lifting about 2/3 or 3/4 of a door. Build up the rockers so that you step over them as you get into the car. I'll try to make a drawing later to show what I mean.