So how does one build harpoons for car doors? You certainly won’t find off-the-shelf harpoons for this application from Tractor Supply or the tenth-tallest pyramid in the world that’s currently a Bass Pro Shops. In this case, Bell got some parts laser-cut out of quarter-inch steel, then welded the parts together, and also made one harpoon with titanium arms for good measure. Perfect for shooting out of a can cannon. Unfortunately, the can cannon simply doesn’t have enough sauce to prevent the harpoon from tumbling and hitting the door sideways. What gives more sauce? How about an air cannon with a two-inch valve.
Although the air cannon has no trouble firing a bare harpoon straight through a door, an issue arises when rope is attached to the harpoon. Bell found that the whole arrangement went sideways, failing to penetrate the door and instead just tangling on itself. Still, the show must go on and the rope is whatever, so it’s time to sacrifice a junker in the name of science.
While the early Mazda CX-7 used for the experiment does look fairly nice, it’s still an early Mazda CX-7, a horrifically unreliable heap that was towed into the shot. Blowing holes in those doors isn’t a huge loss by any means. Oh, and when I say blowing holes through the doors, they’re absolutely massive and don’t seem to slow the speed of the harpoons like the earlier small-scale test door. Considering the test door was from an older vehicle, I’d wager that thinner sheetmetal and voids in modern door structures played a role here.
Alright, Bell has blasted some holes, it’s time for part two of the blockbuster stunt. Jam a harpoon in a hole, put it on a cable, run the cable through a snatch block, hitch the other end of the cable to a car, and then let it rip. This might not come as a huge shock to anyone who’s watched footage of side-impact crash tests, but modern door latches and hinges are really strong. It seems a lot more likely to just rip the door skin off than to snap hinges, and that’s pretty much what Bell experienced. However, Hollywood is a land of smoke and mirrors, so Bell did some cutting and grinding, used a flat steel plate to brace the inside of the door, and let it rip. The end result was nearly flawless – a car door ripped right off of its hinges, albeit without the use of a harpoon. Hey, that’s Hollywood.
So what have we learned here, other than that this video is pretty awesome and that practical effects often require strategic fakery? It turns out that despite being held on with what might look like fairly light hardware, modern car doors are very securely-affixed. Even when subject to a solid tug from a midsize SUV, everything held tight. Modern vehicle construction, isn’t it a wonderful thing? (Photo credits: Tyler Bell)
I’m Hosting A Junkyard Tour And Then A Wrenching-Themed ‘Going Away Party’ At My House In Michigan. You’re All Invited! Watch This Classic Mini Accidentally Pull Terrifying ‘Italian Job’ Stunts On An Ohio Freeway The Movie ’22 Jump Street’ Is Hiding One Of The Most Baffling Automotive Mysteries In All Of Western Cinema Watch IIHS Slam An Old F-150 Overloaded To 9,500 Pounds Into A Barrier In The Name Of EV Crash Testing Watch Some Seattle Residents Fail At Driving On Ice From The Comfort Of Your Home Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage. Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member. I’m guessing this trope is along the same lines as panic stops causing cars to go wildly sideways like a Motorweek brake test from 1983. But in all seriousness, that Mazda looked like it was in great condition. Couldn’t they find a junkyard car and sell that (clearly running and driving) CX7 to someone in need or donate it? It really bothers me to see a perfectly good vehicle ruined for fun. Also, did they bother to drain the fluids before they started shooting harpoons through it? Shame! At roughly 0:54 if I didn’t copy the link right. https://youtu.be/9Yfn2XBGC2E?t=54 But yeah great stuff need a cameraman to see it close up. Dude has some awesome design and build skills. But towed or not that car looks better than any homes in the trailer park. Keep it coming. http://car-and-safety.com/chevrolet-structure-body-door-hinge-and-attachments.htm I miss SAAB. Crazy bastards. I wonder if they all just got increasingly expensive in general to maintain, which was already the main reason I sold my 9000 seven-odd years ago, and parts haven’t been getting any younger since then.
