[DML] Re: The DeLorean's Gullwing doors

[Ann & Ed Thompson <RappaRivaRat@xxxx>]

> As many of you know, the DeLorean wasn't the only car to have gullwing doors.
> I have seen a lot of e-mails saying it was, but it wasn't.

Who are these people John? I would like to help set them straight.

> Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing also has gullwing doors, as specified in the
> name. There is a 1956, 1957 and I think more 

The original Mercedes gullwing coupe (introduced March 1952) was not designated 
"300SL Gullwing". It was simply the "Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe" the "SL" meaning
Sport-Light. Of course it did have gullwing doors and was to become affectionately
know as "The Gullwing Coupe" by automobile enthusiasts. Later the Mercedes C111 
with gullwing doors was developed primarily for speed and endurance trials.

In the early seventies, under the watchful eye of JZD (as General Manager at
Chevrolet), the Corvette group designed and built a gullwing Corvette coupe that was
supposed to be powered by the 4-rotor Wankle. It never made it into production but 
was no doubt the single most influential project that led JZD to incorporating 
gullwing doors into the design of the DMC-12. The Corvette doors were remarkably
similar to those on the DMC-12, except the lower half of the door had a second hinge.
(BTW, JZD unsuccessfully tried to buy the Wankle from GM for the DMC-12.)

Later the Bricklin SV-1 gullwing coupe was introduced. The Bricklin went into
production in 1974, the same year JZD formed the De Lorean Motor Company. 

Incidentally, the fact that the DMC-12 design was remarkably similar to the Lotus
Esprit was no accident. Lotus had no small part in bringing the DMC-12 to fruition,
but the Esprit did not have gullwing doors.

Regards,
Ed Thompson (#6419 since 1982)
Midlothian, VA