Dangerous Rear Door!
There were 2 methods of manufacturing a side-opening rear door. The best method, and the most expensive, was to fabricate an elaborate hinge system where the hinge point was actually recessed inside the vehicle body so the door would open more or less vertically. This was the system used on most top tier professional coaches. The second method, one that was much less expensive, was to simply add hinges that opened parallel to the angle of the rear body. The disadvantage of this simple hinge system was that it was exceedingly difficult to lift the door upwards due to the weight of the door. And it was dangerous to be standing in the doorway, whenever the door was being closed (by a helpful bystander, for example).
Photo from Dr. Roger White.
