Butterfly doors are specialized car doors that pivot up and fan outward, rather than swinging horizontally. They hinge at the base of the A-pillar and along the windshield line, allowing easier access to the cabin in low-slung supercars. This design differs from scissor doors, which rotate strictly vertically without the outward flare.
Heard on the job
The customer wants us to install a butterfly door conversion kit on his coupe, but the pillar needs heavy reinforcement.
Insider tip
The gas struts on butterfly doors wear out quickly due to the awkward lifting angle and heavy glass, causing the door to sag.