Looking for some comments from anyone who has put Vertical Doors on their Vette. I'm exploring the idea to include a bolt on kit to my 99 convertible. Looking for plus and minus comments, recommendations, etc.

 

PM mstromquist. He has them on the Grape Ape.

 

I've never heard anything really good about them. However, I've also never had them on my C5. You are doing right by asking for someone who has them. MWWarlord has given you someone who has them. If I knew someone who had these, I'd offer up their info, too. I'm sorry to say that I've heard people say (in magazine product reviews from back in the day) that they have annoying little issues. Can't remember what they are, or how annoying they are, either one. Search function, or Google is your friend on this one........

 

@mstromquist is the one to ask.

 

These are the ones I have on my 02. No cutting of the front fender and also two shocks per door.

https://dreamcarcustom.com/

 

Oh yeah. I forgot you had a set too - you've got too many C5s! lol

 

Yeah, I'm not installing Lambo doors on the other two. There were a PITA to install. Also, have to replace shocks every two years or so and that in itself is a major PITA.

 

Got the message, thanks Stingroo.

Okay, I'll try and be as thorough as I can with what I've experienced over the years. I have the Dream Car Custom kit on my car, they've been on for quite a few years now and I haven't really had any issues at all with them other then changing the struts out every year to year and a half. This last set I've had on for over 2 years now so I must have received a good set. There's 2 on each door and they run about $15-$20 each so you can factor that cost into them as well. The kit I have isn't really user friendly or practical for everyday use. I only put them up when I'm at a show and they only open about 3/4 of the normal travel when I use them as normal doors. Yes, you can use them either way. You don't have to put them up everytime you open the doors. When you go to raise the door you'll have to swing the door out enough to clear the A-pillar or you will damage the top of your door panels when it contacts it. If you look at your inside door panel you'll notice how the very top front curves inward to match up with the dash pad. That will be the part that contacts the A-pillar if they aren't open far enough. Also with my kit, when you're inside the car it's virtually impossible to raise the door while sitting in the seat. If you have brand new struts it's a little easier but the longer they've been used the harder it is to raise them that way. When you go to shut the doors you need to make sure you're pushing down on the door so it matches up with the striker on the door frame. There's nothing holding the door completely locked down and it will come back up a tad as the struts want to push the door up. If it's not lined up with the striker you'll damage the door and you don't want to have to do a fiberglass repair on your door. I haven't had any problems remembering but when you have a passenger and they don't understand how it works, that could be bad. I always shut the door for them. When I'm outside the car I push down at the top back side of the door and when I'm inside I push down on the door handle while shutting it. There is also other kits out there but they require cutting door panels and fender coves and possibly lengthening the wiring. From what I've seen of those they will open out and up while you push the door open. They might be what you're looking for but I have no experience with those brands. I didn't want to cut my car up and wanted to be able to put it back to stock without having to explain why I cut the panels if I ever sell the car. I have no plans of doing that but one never knows what tomorrow brings. The other kit you might want to research is called Vertical Door, Inc. They seem to have a good following also but I don't really have any info on them other then I've seen them on a few cars, not just C5's, and they seem to like them.

If you have any other questions or concerns just let me know. If I can think of anything I've forgot or can remember I'll update in this thread also.

Would I ever do it again? Probably not, I let my wife talk me into doing it to this car. But they've been on for so long now it's part of Grape's personality now, so they'll stay on.

 

Corvette doors should be like filming with your phone: horizontal, not vertical!

 

Yea what would grape do if you took him to a show and he couldn’t have his arms up in the air saying WTH over.

 

To each his own I guess.
I like 'em but don't want the hassle and expense of doing them or having them done on my 03 vert.
From what I read no one would do it again.
I think they look pretty good and my wife likes them too but I guess we'll pass..

 

Yes and no.
Would I do my 02's doors again, yes. I believe it attracts voter attention at car shows.
Will I do either of my 99's doors, no. The black 99 is a daily driver and not in perfect shape. The red 99, well, I figure I would give the previous owner a heart attack if I did Lambo doors on it.

 

I’m old school I guess. If you have scissor doors ( the proper term) your car better have Lamborghini somewhere on it.