TurboWood Posted May 20 Share Posted May 20 Hi, I am starting to think seriously about half doors and was looking at the options. Lately I’ve been driving with the full doors in place which is nice, but does remove some of the experience. What I’m concerned about with half doors is that they are all held in with snaps which seems like it would make getting in or out much more trouble. So, is there an obvious reason I couldn’t just cut the standard door such that I retain the hinge and “locking” mechanisms? I assume some stitching would be needed to close the cut, but is there something else I’m missing? Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 A diagonal from above the upper hinge forming a sort of quarter window frame would help to replace the support lost by cutting out the upper window frame. A new frame with more cross-section through the hinge area could be locally reupholstered using the original doors as a pattern, with no diagonal. A fabricator and upholsterer should not need the car to prototype; just the doors if they don't bend to fit when installed since the new ones will likely be stiffer. Have them make a few sets for lower cost per unit and sell the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 I've contemplated this design when building my car and had planned to speak with Oxted Trimming, who make the sidescreens, to see if it's feasible. It certainly seems a far more functional and elegant design, but it may require reinforcement as MV8 suggests. I've put off speaking with them given I'm finding the SV with lowered floors isn't quite as obnoxious as my memories of S3s with standard floors. So far, it's been acceptable. Not as good as the Westfield with oversized wind deflectors, but not so bad that I feel I need a fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das76 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 There is a company in Europe that does this in all carbon fiber so they are rigid . I was on their website last week but I can’t recall their name. I’ll see if I can find it in my history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 Carbon NV makes them at £280 per pair but I've never seen feedback on quality or fit. https://www.carbon-nv.co.uk/products.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das76 Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 Yes ! That was the site I was referencing @JohnCh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 I was distracted and hit Submit before I could add that these are made for Westfields, not Caterhams. I'm not sure if anyone makes them for the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted June 7 Author Share Posted June 7 Thanks guys. I reached out to them to see if they had ever tried fitting them to a Caterham. I’ll report back what I find. Daniel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted July 8 Author Share Posted July 8 Well, the feedback is that they don’t think they will fit the Caterham chassis. He thinks there is enough of a difference between the two, with the Caterham “door” being longer. So, any other ideas? He sounded open to making a new mold, but needs donor parts to play with. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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