Lamborghini doors, or scissor doors, used to adorn all sorts of cars back in the late 90s and early 00s until it virtually vanished. Now, the modifying trend is making a return, but will it take over the scene?

Modifying trends. By their very nature, they come and go. Some stand the test of time, but most tend to come in waves. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that nostalgia is king. Nowadays, people are modifying more and more classics, bringing back obscene sound systems, neons, ultimate lows, wide body kits, and of course obnoxiously loud exhausts. Arguably, those last few have never really left, but one such trend that is making waves at the moment are Lamborghini doors. And believe it or not, it’s seemingly being driven by the Ford lot!

What are Lamborghini doors and who designed them?

Lamborghini doors, or scissor doors, are simply a set of doors that lift up rather than outwards (technically it’s up and out, but shh). I say doors, its all in the hinges. The doors themselves are just doors, let’s clear that up. The hinge is what forces them to open up and slightly outwards. They aren’t actually doors from a Lamborghini.

Doors that open upwards aren’t anything new. In fact, it was the brilliant Marcello Gandini, the designer behind some of the most iconic car designs of all time (Renault 5 GT Turbo, Lamborghini Miura & Countach as well as the Lancia Stratos’ to name just a few) that put the doors into production. It was in 1968 that Gandini first penned scissor doors on a concept of the Alfa Romeo Carabo. However, it wasn’t until 1974 that the very fist scissor doors made their way on to a car; and you guessed it, that was the Lamborghini Countach. Ever since then, Lamborghini’s flagship cars have featured scissor doors, or more appropriate, Lamborghini doors…

Lamborghini doors as a modifying trend

Fast forward around 20 years on from Gandini’s 1974 Countach and this is when Lamborghini doors as a modifying trend started to really take off. Before long, Lamborghini doors adorned all manner of cars, from Saxos and 205s to Skylines, Silvias, Supras, Novas, Astras, Fords, pretty much anything that was some sort of show build featured them. It was cool, and if you’re as old as we are, you’ll remember liking them and even thinking about installing them yourself. OK, I’m a little too young to have installed Lamborghini doors on anything myself, but I remember seeing them at shows and in magazines like this fine outfit you’re reading right now!

For whatever reason, during the mid-00s, Lamborghini doors just upped and left as a modifying trend. It wasn’t cool anymore, and part of me agreed. Neons suffered the same fate, despite a revival thanks to 2 Fast 2 Furious and Brian’s silver R34 Skyline GT-R. You know the scene I’m talking about, where Tej (Ludacris) calls Brian asking him if he can fill a spot in a race before hot tailing it across the city making sweet turbo noises with a hint of sped up footage.

The return of Lambo doors

So why am I talking about Lamborghini doors today, in 2024, as a modifying trend? Well, given I spend ¾ of every day cemented in modified car content, I’ve started to notice more and more builds with Lamborghini doors.  And, well, it’s the Ford lot that are driving it! Check out this bagged Mk2 Focus ST for example. It’s the perfect blend of new and old trends, creating a flavour that for me is not only palatable, but very likeable.

It somehow manages to be in your face while also not being in your face. It’s no secret that air ride and aftermarket wheels is the no.1 modifying trend on the planet right now. Whether you like that or not. But mixing in Lamborghini doors, an audio boot install and some choice engine mods has turned this ST into a unique show car, one that gives a nod to the past, while embracing the new.

We recently hosted our annual Ford Fair event at Silvestone, and walking around the show I was met with an abundance of very similarly modified cars. Then all of a sudden this wild orange ST appeared, doors in the air, and toys in the engine bay (I’ll discuss this plushie phenomenon in another piece when I can work out a way of talking about them without offending anyone). It’s different, and whether you like the style or not, you have to doff your hat to those that laugh in the face of the norm and forge their own path.

That’s what this modifying malarkey is all about. Being different. And I for one am loving seeing the return of Lamborghini doors. Did someone say huge nitrous bottles, boot builds and TVs?! It’s the sound of the 90s baby.

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