What's The Deal With Door Handles?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 01/20/2016 at 21:32 • Filed to: Design Trends

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I was inspired by Torch’s blacked out B-pillar question (I thought body color pillars were just a large sedan/wagon and truck/SUV thing that ended due to CUVs and “sporty” styling cues becoming essential in the mid-2000s). I wanted to bring up door handles. I feel like these horizontal handles completely took over once vehicles received motorized locks. I can’t remember having a fob to lock and unlock the doors and not having the above style of handle (excluding budget models). I thought it was odd that the new Challenger (Charger too?) still had the top hinged handles even with all the passive entry and keyless-ness.

Granted, it is more a throwback styling cue in this context. Any other substantial vehicles utilizing top hinged handles?

jkm7680 > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:43

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Audi used them up until 2009 or so.

I like them a bit more because of how much smoother they look.

gawdzillla > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:44

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theres still hope

Probenja > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:46

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I think just like non painted b pillars it went to mostly basic cars such as Dacia’s, the Mirage, Hyundai eon and Renault kwid, etc...

For Sweden > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:47

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Buttons or
GTFAC
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F
A
C

Nauraushaun > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:47

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Older cars that had these handles had a scratch plate, so idiots couldn’t scratch the paint with their fingernails over a million door-openings. As far as I can see, non-top-hinged handles still have this problem and do not solve it. Is that true?

Boxer_4 > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:49

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The Mirage still uses that style of handle.

dogisbadob > For Sweden 01/20/2016 at 21:49

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Hi

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:51

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I wish they would go back to flush top hinged handles. Look better (imo) and I’d think they would be considered more aerodynamic.

dogisbadob > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:51

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Plenty of cars in the 90s have keyless and the door handles you describe.

The current trend door handles is most likely aerodynamics-related

Wobbles the Mind > Nauraushaun 01/20/2016 at 21:52

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One of my pet peeves is all the finger nail scratches inside those depressions for your hands. Right up there with seat belts that fly into the window, door, or pillar even when you don’t let go until past shoulder nearest the door.

For Sweden > dogisbadob 01/20/2016 at 21:54

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o/

Wobbles the Mind > dogisbadob 01/20/2016 at 21:54

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That explains why I can’t remember, the 90s were a while back.

dogisbadob > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 21:57

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90s cars don’t seem old to me, even though they’re 20 years ago!

Wobbles the Mind > Boxer_4 01/20/2016 at 21:57

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I loved that car until I had it for a rental...in Austin! I never realized how much power you need to shoot over a lane or four in poor traffic. I hate to say it, but it was the worst vehicle experience I ever had. Wrong car for the wrong area.

Wobbles the Mind > dogisbadob 01/20/2016 at 22:01

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I know, I have to make fun since so many of us have and love some very outdated cars. People are like, “why do we have so many gears?” And you think they’re talking about 7-speed manuals or 9-speed autos. Nope, they’re first automatic car is a 67 Buick Riviera, so a 3-speed auto is damn luxurious.

Wobbles the Mind > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2016 at 22:03

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I think flush handles are about to become popular now that we have proximity sensors, remote start, and passive entry. In fact, I’d be surprised if the doors weren’t expected to automatically open on approach by 2030.

Wobbles the Mind > For Sweden 01/20/2016 at 22:05

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It’s pretty cool how these handles have the old shape but a completely different opperation. I do miss that old style on trucks though

Wobbles the Mind > jkm7680 01/20/2016 at 22:07

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I feel like I hate everything on cars. Sideview mirrors, door handles, panel and door lines. And yet I don’t want some solid blob of metal. I just accept I’ll never be content.

Probenja > Nauraushaun 01/20/2016 at 22:12

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Actually apparently one big pro of current door handles is that it doesn’t damage the nails of ladies when trying to get in the car. As a guy I would not really care but I guess if you have long nails the top hinged handles aren’t the best choice.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 22:15

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Obligatory What’s the deal with door handles

Wobbles the Mind > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/20/2016 at 22:19

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Thank you! Someone that understands.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 22:30

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I bet it’s cheaper to do then that way

brjklein > Wobbles the Mind 01/20/2016 at 23:04

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My old E36 M3 had the top-hinge and keyless.

Nauraushaun > Probenja 01/20/2016 at 23:32

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I think either way you need to be careful.

for Michigan > Wobbles the Mind 01/21/2016 at 00:07

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This same thread has been running through my mind for the last few weeks. It’s one of those areas that most people never think about, but I’m sure someone, somewhere is putting a lot of thought into it. It’d be interesting to know what the reasons are for the various styles.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Wobbles the Mind 01/21/2016 at 01:07

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Proud owner of some vertical door handles right here:

Wobbles the Mind > brjklein 01/21/2016 at 04:23

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Was that feature available on all trims the first year of that generation? I have a theory that cars switched to the pull-bar handles once they hit a generation in which over once a majority of trims had that feature.

Wobbles the Mind > for Michigan 01/21/2016 at 04:30

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I have a theory (just now created) that once a new generation will be offered with most trims having keyless entry, the handles are switched to the pull-bars for a more “premium” door opening experience. I think passive entry (where the handles have sensors that unlock the doors when your hand touches them) will kill off top-hinged handles. I was surprised the new Challenger and maybe Charger had engineered that ability into the top-hinged handles. I doubt they’ll be back once they put them on a new platform though.