I plan on converting my 2cv to suicide doors, I have figured out the locking mechanism using modern bear claw type latch. What I need advise on is how to do the hinge...

I would like to use a similar hinge to the rear doors, are these available as a replacement part? or would i need to use a bonnet hinge? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Harley

I've looked into this before. There's two fairly easy ways to do this, the first is to cut the B pillar out of an early shell and nab the doors while you're there, and simply weld that into your later shell. You could then either use the old door catches or fit later ones. The slightly more fiddly way would be to get two B pillars from a later car and cut the rear door hinge off and weld it to your B pillar, then weld the door part of the hinge from two old rear doors to the trailing edge of the front doors, arse about fitting your catches and Roberts your mothers brother.

A nice idea we saw in Czech was to have a hook and latch that allowed you to hold the door open an inch or two whilst driving, getting the air flowing in.

How do you stand legally doing that? Would there be any problems at MOT time?

You'd need to add an upper seatbelt mount to that old pillar, of course.



The only fail is if it doesn't latch securely.
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s06000201.htm

Good ideas Russ, i will look into this option as i know a couple of wrecks here in Aus that I may be able to use...

As for more air flow... I plan on fitting an old Landrover vent flap upside-down on the driverside foot well as seen on some Aus raid cars.

Cheers
Harley

Started on the suicide doors!
I got my hands on some scrap rear doors that i was able to save the hinges from. For the B-post hinge I had a talented panel beater fold them up, he had to do them in two half lengths as they where distorting at full length in his bender, it took him a whole day, they turned out great!




I have already moved the door handle to the front of the door and am working on getting the the handles and latching mechanisms to all work in proximity to each other. I am using the original handles with an after market bear claw latch... I think i may be over complicating it... But the challenge is nice!

I hope to have one more day at the end of the week to at least fit the other door.

Harley.

I think you need to put that shell in a container and ship it to me. That cars going to look sweet!

Dont listen Harley

there is too many bamboo killers over here!

does make you go "Doh! why didnt i do that"

looks good

Ahhh, Thx lads, i am itching to get it on the road but it is currently stored 900km's from where I live and I keep deciding to modify bits, when will it end...

Harley

The bear claw latch is a good idea - they were called suicide doors for a reason.