What’s the Reason Behind 'Suicide Doors' in Cars, and Are They Still in Use Today?

For most of us, entering a car follows a familiar routine: we pull the door handle, and the hinges near the front wheel allow the door to swing open. After sliding into the driver’s seat, we’re ready to go. However, suicide doors challenge this conventional design by placing hinges at the rear, a feature reminiscent of horse-drawn carriages from centuries past.

The term 'suicide doors' might sound intense, but these rear-hinged car doors have a fascinating history in automotive design. Known for their unconventional style, they open from the back instead of the front, offering a unique aesthetic. This section delves into their origins, the safety concerns that led to their ominous name, and whether they remain a feature in modern vehicles.

A Departure From Traditional Door Designs

Suicide doors aren’t the only unconventional door style in automotive history. Gullwing doors, famously seen on the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, feature hinges at the top, allowing the doors to swing upward like a bird’s wings. Similarly, Lamborghini introduced scissor doors, which pivot from the front but lift upward instead of swinging outward. These were specifically designed to improve rear visibility in the Lamborghini Countach, a car notorious for its poor rearward sightlines.

Before World War II, a trend emerged in the U.S. where rear doors were hinged near the back tires, causing them to swing open in the opposite direction. Known as "coach doors" in the automotive industry, this design made it easier for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. But how did these rear-hinged doors come to be known as suicide doors?

What Led to the Name 'Suicide Doors'?

To understand the origin of the term 'suicide doors,' it’s crucial to recall the minimal safety standards of earlier times. Vehicles lacked seat belts, and door latches were often unreliable. If a suicide door wasn’t securely closed, it could swing open unexpectedly while the car was in motion, posing a significant risk to passengers.

The name 'suicide doors' might sound dramatic, but it stems from the serious safety hazards they posed. Picture driving at high speeds when a door unexpectedly swings open. The force of the wind would make it nearly impossible to shut the door while the car was in motion. If a passenger attempted to lean out or exit, the risk of severe injury or being flung from the vehicle was alarmingly high.

This risk was even greater before seat belts and modern safety mechanisms became standard. Without proper precautions, passengers could easily be thrown from the car, resulting in tragic accidents. It’s this connection to perilous outcomes that earned the doors their ominous nickname.

Various Theories Surround the Name

Despite the straightforward explanation, suicide doors have sparked unusual theories. For instance, some believe that gangsters found it easier to shove adversaries out of these doors, though this scenario doesn’t involve self-inflicted harm.

Another popular theory suggests that exiting the back seat on the street side could lead to the door being struck by an approaching vehicle, potentially crushing the passenger. However, this explanation lacks substantial credibility.

The Fading Popularity of Suicide Doors

Suicide doors were a hallmark of mid-20th-century vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury. The Lincoln Continental of the 1960s, in particular, gained fame for its distinctive center-opening doors. In 2019 and 2020, Lincoln revived this feature in a limited-edition Continental, marking a final tribute before the model was discontinued in 2021.

As automotive design advanced and safety regulations tightened, suicide doors gradually fell out of favor. Car manufacturers prioritized passenger safety, especially in crash scenarios. The inherent dangers of rear-hinged doors were deemed unacceptable, leading many brands to adopt the safer front-hinged design instead.

By the mid-1900s, suicide doors had largely disappeared from the automotive landscape. The advent of seat belts, improved door latches, and reinforced car structures made front-hinged doors the standard. Consumers increasingly sought vehicles that combined safety with style, prompting manufacturers to abandon designs that prioritized convenience over security.

Are Suicide Doors Still in Use Today?

While no longer mainstream, suicide doors have made a comeback in certain luxury vehicles. Some manufacturers have revived this retro design to blend classic elegance with modern engineering. For instance, the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Lincoln Continental now offer rear-hinged doors, enhanced with contemporary safety features to mitigate historical risks.

Modern vehicles with suicide doors incorporate cutting-edge safety technologies, such as automatic locking systems, electronic sensors, and reinforced latches. These advancements significantly reduce the hazards associated with rear-hinged doors, making them far safer than their predecessors. Despite this, their unique aesthetic continues to attract car enthusiasts and buyers seeking standout designs.

Have Rear-Hinged Backseat Doors Become Safer Today?

Modern suicide doors are significantly safer than their earlier counterparts. Advances in engineering and technology have mitigated many of the risks associated with rear-hinged doors. For instance, vehicles now feature robust door latches that prevent unintended openings during motion. Enhanced safety measures, such as airbags and automatic locking systems, further reduce potential hazards.

Another reason for their improved safety is that rear-hinged doors are now primarily found in luxury or limited-production vehicles. These models often incorporate state-of-the-art safety innovations, ensuring greater protection for occupants. While not entirely risk-free, the dangers are far less pronounced compared to the early days of automobile design.

If rear access doors, clamshell designs, or other unconventional door styles intrigue you, the concept car market is a treasure trove of innovation. However, for the average consumer, owning a car with suicide doors often comes with a hefty price tag.