Author Topic: Convexity of the door skin?  (Read 3345 times)

star63

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Convexity of the door skin?
« on: April 01, 2013, 18:42:46 »
I noticed that my doors are too convex to make a nice side line. What I'm trying to say is that the doors have too much "crown" to match the curvature of the rear fenders.
I have now measured a few other doors and they seem to differ quite a bit from each other, varying from "totally flat" to "very full".

I couldn't find any signs of an accident or excess bondo. What might be causing the differences? Should the doors be flat or curved?



Thanks for any advice

- Petri
Petri
'67 250 SL (early)
'66 230 SL (long project)
Finland

Benz Dr.

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Re: Convexity of the door skin?
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2013, 02:38:51 »
If your door was flat it wouldn't be bvery strong. Any curve will add strenght and several curves or compound angles will add even more strenght without adding any weight.

 Youi will find that your door curves from top to bottom and from end to end. This is completely normal however I can't say if yours is correct or not by looking at your picture.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
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1970  3.5 Coupe
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Flyair

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Re: Convexity of the door skin?
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2013, 07:15:51 »
Far from being expert on that it seems to me that the ultimate "correctness test" are the gaps between the door and other parts of your car. If they are "normal" (which for me is 3-5mm), this is what's matters. It would be difficult (although not impossible) to imagine that original or even OEM doors have varying curves while keeping the gap distance.   
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star63

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Re: Convexity of the door skin?
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2013, 20:36:41 »
If your door was flat it wouldn't be very strong.

Good point! Some front to back curve must be normal. But I've also seen a flat door that was supposed to be untouched...

I can't say if yours is correct or not by looking at your picture.

Unfortunately, the picture is not from my car

It would be difficult (although not impossible) to imagine that original or even OEM doors have varying curves while keeping the gap distance.   

The gaps are good but that doesn't tell much about the doors because I have replaced all the fenders.


Thanks for your comments!

- Petri
Petri
'67 250 SL (early)
'66 230 SL (long project)
Finland