Why no door pulls on left side??

lateapex911 · 11:33 PM

Ok, this is one of those things that has always bugged me.

My old '73 (which was reportedly brought into the country in '74 from Germany), has no door pull other than the top of that pocket part on the drivers (left) side, but DOES have a nice upward slanting pull for the passenger! WTF!? That just makes no sense to me, as I get in the car a LOT more than my passenger does! I always thought it was just a weird oversight or a loose end left over from my cars original life.......

but......tonight I surfed to a site and drueled over some "used" Ferraris, and noticed the same thing!!!!! Here are the photo proof pics:

first, drivers:

and passenger:

So, I know the great minds of Pelican will make me say, "Duh...of COURSE!", but for now I'm stumped! (And I don't buy that it is ommited to give the driver more "elbow room" for those times when the arms are a flailing!)

Yellowbird RS · 11-12-2004, 11:51 PM

???

dimps8 · dimps8's Garage

Porsche drivers normally hold on to their steering wheels. Passangers hold onto the door pull for dear life

Series900 · 11-13-2004, 03:26 AM

Damon is correct!

When steering wheels were full size, the door pull was considered "in the way"!

Chuck Miller · 11-13-2004, 05:50 AM

Try this...

Early euro door pull handle for RHD cars

lateapex911 · 11-13-2004, 07:47 AM

Intersting! Lame reason in my book, but I guess if thats the story, then thats the story!

Now..who's got one across the pond that wants to trade some pounds?

Series900 · 11-13-2004, 08:23 AM

Another reason, the key is on the left side of the column , Right? For those "LeMans" starts, You run to the car, jumping in and hitting the ignition at the same time, and roar off. the door closes by itself....Ha!

jasonq · 11-13-2004, 10:34 AM

yeah, that handle thing. bugged the crap out of me too. I ended up adding a strap made out of nylon webbing covered in vinyl. On bottom end it is bolted in between the handle-less door handle and on the top end by a bolt going into one of the holes for the RHD passenger door handle. The top door trim covers up the bolt. I had to cut some clearences in the press board of the door panel so everything would lie flat. The end result is it is in the same place as the passenger version, and sticks out just enough to get my hand behind it easily to close the door (or keep it from swinging open too far and smacking my girlfrieds pottery wheel in the garage)

jason

Randy Webb · 11-13-2004, 10:51 AM

"Now..who's got one across the pond that wants to trade some pounds?"

- Yes, I'd like to get one too. Maybe Wayne can set up something like import these and resell them....

jasong - can you post a pic of what you did?

BTW, the panel kits from one aftermarket supplier have a handle in them - it's not that great but does work.

oldE · 11-13-2004, 11:53 AM

The old E has a space big enough for your fingers underneath the arm rest on the driver's door. Its awkward, but I got used to it.
Les

lateapex911 · 11-13-2004, 12:43 PM

Yeah-- there is a market for this sort of thing. The RS panels are cool and all, but frankly they are a bit too minimalist for my street/ track car...my race car is where I go minimalist!

And all our door panels and pockets weren't great from the factory...someone should make a nice version...might sell pretty well.

And it IS awkward to close the thing, let alone opening it on a downslope in a windstorm!

I bet less than 20% of us have the original city bus sized steering wheel, so there's more than enough room for a door pull!

Series900 · 11-13-2004, 01:32 PM

Well Jake you found your niche, repro RHD left door handles, limited market, but hell you would be outstanding in your field! Ha!

jasonq · 11-13-2004, 02:49 PM

randy,
pic of my DIY door strap/handle

campbellcj · 11-13-2004, 06:11 PM

I'm pretty sure it is a safety thing. Somebody who knows better than us how to keep us out of trouble (DOT, TUV etc.) probably figured that the driver's arm could get caught in there and cause loss of control in an "incident".

The strap Jasonq fabricated is a great idea!

lateapex911 · 11-13-2004, 07:07 PM

I have to ask....what is a Pyranha Inazone 220???

kite surfers? wind surfers?

jasonq · 11-13-2004, 08:05 PM

Those are all whitewater kayaks, just the ones I use the most. I left the blissstick slick stick and wold surf machine off the list. At least I stopped hording skis a few years ago (I have like 6 pairs). Yeah, i have a problem, thank god i don't have more garage space or i'd be hording porsches too.