What is this?

[BigV]

Whether you deedle deedle or lalala is entirely up to you; it's a free country.

[HungLikeJesus]

I think that this is an easy one. What is this, or what is it part of? You don't need to be too specific.

[Elspode]

Looks like bonnet and lid hydraulics on a show car.

[Griff]

Heh, he said hydraulics.

[beauregaardhooligan]

1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwings.

[beauregaardhooligan]

A true classic.

[Elspode]

Okay, so it was only the lid hydraulics. What do I win?

[beauregaardhooligan]

Well, technically, they are the doors.
But I'll split it with you!

[HungLikeJesus]

I'm giving Elspode 2 out of 5, and beauregaardhooligan 5/5.

[HungLikeJesus]

I took these pictures when I was in Stuttgart last month. Here are two bigger views.

There was also a bare frame on display, and an explanation that the door design was due to the frame rail location. I don't know why the style was discontinued.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

I don't know why the style was discontinued.

It's a very attractive car, and I'd love to have one.

I can't help wondering though, what it was like to climb in and out of one. You might be able to stretch your foot across that door frame and place it onto the floor and then slide in and sit down all in one motion to get into the car. Then pick up your outside foot and lift it up, over and in. Getting out has got to be a major pain. You could crawl out and exit hands first onto the ground. Or stand up on the seat, all hunched over so you don't hit the door above your head and hop out, or try to do the entrance move in reverse. I don't see any handles to pull yourself up as you try to get out. Basically, it looks like a real challenge to enter and exit this car. It's that very high and wide threshold, and the lack of head room space above the door that would make it such a challenge.

To be fair, I've never tried it, and am only guessing based on the pictures. Maybe it's really easy.

[HungLikeJesus]

glatt - now I feel stupid for not trying that when I had the chance. I was standing right there and could have been in and out before the guards could do anything.

The doors seem like they'd be good for tight parking spaces. I don't think they'd need as much side clearance as regular doors.

Edit: This is from Wikipedia:
The 300SL was best known for both its distinctive gullwing or butterfly wing doors and for being the first-ever gasoline-powered car equipped with fuel injection directly into the combustion chamber. The gullwing version was available from March 1955 to 1957. In Mercedes-Benz fashion, the "300" referred to the engine's cylinder displacement, in this case, three liters. The "SL", as applied to a roadster, stood for "Sport Leicht" or "Sport Light."
...
The gullwing doors, hinged at the roof and so named because the open doors resembled a bird's outstretched wings, were implemented as such to accommodate for the car's tubular chassis, designed by DBAG's chief developing engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Part of the chassis passed through what would be the lower half of a standard door.

This tubular chassis was a necessity, as the original car was designed solely for racing and needed to be as light as possible due to the rather underpowered original, carbureted, engine, while still providing a high level of strength. This required the driver and any passengers to do some gymnastics to get in or out of the car, usually by sitting on and sliding across the wide door sill. A steering wheel with a tilt-away column made the process considerably easier.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Just hope to hell you don't end upside down, trapped in a burning wreck.

[jinx]

PIA at drive-thru's too...

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by jinx

PIA at drive-thru's too...

That's very perceptive of you. I can't tell if the windows open or not. It looks like they might be hinged.