Is the door handle the most-operated mechanism of a car? The steering wheel and accelerator pedal are the most used from a total-time-in-use standpoint, but in individual and complete use-cycles, the door handle has gotta be up there, right? You’re grabbing it every time you get inside the car, after all. (The least-used mechanism, hopefully, is the trunk release – as in, the one that’s inside the trunk.)
With all that handle-grabbing going on, chances are you’ve developed some preferences over the years. I’m old, so I’m still quite partial to the classic thumb-button variety as seen in the top graphic. This design just makes sense. You wrap your fingers over the handle from the top, which is instinctive, and your thumb naturally falls over the thumb button (as long as you’re grabbing the driver-side door handle with your left hand, and the passenger-side with your right, that is). You can press the button and open the door, or not press it and yank on the handle to confirm the door is well shut.
I’m also fond of another, far more modern thumbable design, the Tesla Model 3’s flush-fit, pop-out solution:
Now, it is slightly suboptimal that the thumby bit isn’t under the main pull-y part, which would allow for more natural operation, but having the handle turn down instead of up wouldn’t be nearly as pleasing to look at. I get it.
I’m much less fond of Tesla’s other pop-out handles, these mofos right here:
Trick, yes, but needlessly complex, and they are inoperable if the car is 100% dead (including the 12v battery), and they can freeze over etc. So, no thank you. Moving on …
At this point, you’re probably imagining three or four door-handle types, which feels like all of them. Hardly! Feast your eyes on the cornucopia of handle styles capably curated by one Jason Torchinsky, whom you may know:
And here’s more hot Torch action, as JT presents some choice spottings from the The Amelia Concours d`Elegance in 2023:
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See? The world of door handles is vast and full of bangers, so naming the Greatest Of All Time will be no easy task. But we believe in you! So tell us:
What Is The GOAT Door Handle Design?
Top graphic image: depositphotos.com
I like whatever type of handle the doorman or chauffeur holds for me.
I am a fan of the class 3 on my Jeep MJ.
The class 7 on my Oldsmobile and multiple BMWs have also treated me well. The class 11 on my Honda feels really junky but it works. I have used multiple class 4 handles and they all kind of are terrible, they take too much force to actuate.
The door handles on a Ferrari 308 are delightful, I am not sure what class they are but they work super smooth and blend in exceptionally well to the design.
No exterior handle cars are fun too, my MK2 Austin Healey Sprite has the very clean look of no handles. It’s inconvenient in the rain as it can be challenging to open the side curtain windows to reach in and open the door from the interior latch.
One of the true GOAT door handles is the Lamborghini Miura – with the handle being disguised as the lowest fin on the intake scoop. A combination of type 3 and 13, as the pull was the fin, and the visible button/keyslot was from a fiat.
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6598c8e83ff0af0197ff19f9/1732665100586-WCD8R4UB5CFH82X4Q2AW/1968-Lamborghini-Miura-P400-35.jpg
I’m partial to Class 9, the NA Miata door handle. It lacks leverage but it’s cool and in the Miata, all parts of the handle are chromed metal, no plastic. And you don’t touch the painted surfaces of the door in the ordinary course of operating the handle. You tend to pull the door open a few inches, then open it fully by grasping the trailing edge of the window glass and never touch the paint.
Also: Embiggen.
The class 3s, as seen on older trucks and XJ Cherokees. They’re great because you don’t worry if you give it a good yank when the door’s frozen shut.
1969 Grand Prix. Class 8.
The pull out. Class 11. Is it my favourite? No, is it the most practical? Yes. My favourite is either class 10 or class 3 ala classic range rover and G-Wagen. They always have good solid door clunks.
The class 3 ones,like on my Oldsmobile.
As much as I like the aesthetics and ergonomics of the type 12 push-down, they’re terrible in terms of water ingress. Flip them upside down and hide them under a character line as in the Testarossa and McLaren 12c, though, and they become a sleek and practical feature of cars with that kind overhang on the door.
Class 5 FTW. 1993-1997 Ford Probe and GT. Elegant and perfect.
Subaru xt. Its areo, but doesnt need the battery. Plus, free spiders!
C8! Hidden!
The GOAT is the 1973-1987 GM “squarbody” truck and SUV exterior handles. Big sturdy metal handle to pull the door with, big square button to push in with your thumb, chrome, and they never broke (at least, none of the three squarebody trucks my family owned ever had it happen).
I have strong preference for Class 11, especially the Mercedes-Benz pull-out handles that were first fitted to R107/C107 in 1971. They’re perfect shaped and sized for my large hands. The rescuers like them because it’s easier to hook onto them and pull the doors out after the collisions.
When I returned home from my solo journey in Australia, I brought a large jar of Vegemite. I found a perfect prank: I would spread some of Vegemite underneath the pull-up door handles on GM vehicles that my friends and school enemies owned. They couldn’t see what’s underneath the door handles, then they shrieked when feeling something so slimy on their fingers and seeing the stinky goo. That’s why Classes 6 and 7 are lousy design…
I love the small door latch perched next to the window on a 246 Dino. Small, elegant, and has a beautiful “snick, click” engagement to open the door.
I’m not a fan of the Tesla Model Y’s ones, they require too much effort compared to a regular class 11. I get why they have them for aerodynamics though.
I do miss the old Class 7, my first car has those and my mum’s car (’99 Camry) still does! They did tend to feel a bit flimsy compared to the now-ubiquitous class 11 though, I can see why that design has taken over.
Props to modern(ish) Toyota for integrating the lock trigger as a touch sensitive section into the top part of the door handle near the pivot – it’s so satisfying to lock the car with just a quick touch that I rarely use the remote buttons these days.
It’s got to be the Morris Marina flap, because it was fitted to so many other vehicles, for years after the death of the Marina, such as the Lotus Esprit, Triumph TR7, the 4-door versions of the original Range Rover. See https://www.aronline.co.uk/opinion/morris-marina-doorhandles/ for a full list.
Seems there is no class for the weird: Subaru XT (Alcyone) has a pretty interesting one. Part of Class 7 I guess 🙂
Also, what about TVR’s mirror trick? Class TVR!
The Class 11 as used on many old Mercedes. They feel like they would never, ever break. No muss, no fuss, just simple and works.
Toyotas are good cars, but they are not old Mercedes. Or is your GF Lindsay Wagner? 🙂
I’ve owned about 50 cars in New England. But the only door handles that ever broke were the crappy pot metal ones on MK1 and MK2 VWs. But at <$20ea for new replacements, and about 60 seconds to swap one out, who cares?
Team Door Handle!
I’m surprised no one suggested this one,
1969-1972 Grand Prix, sort of a modified type 8.
Very classy, push on the angled short portion and the long part of the lever pops out for you to grab. Lovely design from some of GM’s best years.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335732913932
I’m most familiar with class 7 and 11.
I do wonder if or what would be the best design to balance mechanical functionality with airflow, even if the airflow help of the Tesla style doesn’t actually make much of a difference.
I’d like to see and try the “class 12” up close though. Not familiar with it.
My E-series van basically had “class 7 but rotated 90 degrees”. I think, in retrospect, that feels more aerodynamic than what my Prius v has….but then again, that’s what little the van can possibly save that way.
Any one where you have to unsnap or unzip the side curtain and reach inside blindly to find the handle. Preferably during a downpour while your passenger waits as her pretty summer dress gets soaked through.
Maaan this winter is getting to me. I’m losing my mind…
Citroen 2CVs always had type 1 door handles – but with an unusual detail – when you locked the door, the handle would just spin around and around – when unlocked, it would stay horizontal and was connected to the latch mechanism. There wasn’t a way to lock the doors from inside or without a key.
Probably was the last production car with a type 1 handle mechanism…
I loved the door handles on my dad’s ’77 Celica. You just pulled on them but they were different.
I had to look that up. Very nice shape on those; slender, but solid-looking.