Can you really......

[Miss Chicken]

open a door using a credit card? I have never had a need to try it so I have no idea if it is possible or not.

Feel free to ask similar sort of questions in this thread.

 

[Gov Kodos]

It would depend on the kind of lock that is being used, I imagine. I would expect it would be useless against most kinds though, since all it is doing is sliding the bolting mechanism and these days they don't casually slide in any direction very easily.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Thanks. Now another question.

In movies you sometimes see cars being driven on only two wheels. Does a stunt car have to be modify to do this or could you do it with a normal regular car?

 

[Gov Kodos]

Sheer speculation here, I imagine the cars are modified for movies so they can be assured of the shot being done in minimal takes. In real life, I guess a good stunt co-coordinator could set up a car to do so like the Mythbusters would. Some random teenager or other Darwin Award seeker would be the wildest stroke of luck for it to work for even a few seconds.

Are these questions tending to something for New Years?

 

[Miss Chicken]

Nope, nothing for News Years. I am just thinking of things that we see in movies that I think are probably not all that possible.

Such as a character always being able to get a parking spot in front of the building he needs to go to. When was the last time you saw someone in a movie having to walk a couple hundred of yards to get to the building they need to go to? This might be a time saving device in movies but they don't actually have to show the guy walking the whole distance.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Mine is the inevitable car chase in a city like New York or London. I can't imagine a high speed movie chase lasting more than a half dozen blocks due to the congestion. Then there is the almost as inevitable car leaps some road block the police have set up by using some obstacle as a ramp to then fly over several cars and zoom away. They never really seem to be going fast enough to jump the 3 or four car-lengths they'd have to travel, then the car's frame isn't built to come crashing down on the nose like they do in films and drive away.

 

[Shatnertage]

Ah, a Reynolds Ramp. Popularized by Hal Needham in Smokey and the Bandit.

As far as the credit card thing goes, it definitely works on some locks. I've done it. You slide the edge of the credit card into the bolt and use that to force it open. It boosted my credibility when I was able to get into a locked door at work my first day on the job. Doesn't work on most serious locks, though, since they have a part that prevents just this.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Boosted your credibility? If I had been your boss I would have thought "This guy must be a crim".

 

[ares93]

Some random teenager or other Darwin Award seeker would be the wildest stroke of luck for it to work for even a few seconds.

It all depends on the driver's skill. Age has nothing to do with it. Me girlfriends can do it. I believe her record is slightly over one minute. And that's with no formal stunt training.

They never really seem to be going fast enough to jump the 3 or four car-lengths they'd have to travel, then the car's frame isn't built to come crashing down on the nose like they do in films and drive away.

I once attempted this with a stock 1996 Volvo 940. The rims were deformed, all four shocks went through their mounts and through the hood, the springs shattered and the entire front end was twisted upwards during the landing. Although to the engineers credit, the car was still somewhat drivable. Forwards, backwards, slight turns and up on the trailer. To this day, the engine is still powering a Super Seven kit car.

The car was stock aside from a quickly installed roll cage, seat from a WRC car, six point seat belts, and remotely activated fire suppression system. Mechanically it was not modified. We never measured how long the "flight" was, but the height was approx 8 meters.


As for the two wheel driving. The cars are modified. I know this for a fact since I've done it meself. Special rims are used, with tires that have thicker sides. The car is also stripped of everything unnecessary and often balanced with weights. The frame/chassi is also strengthened.

Finally, huh, the credit card trick. I've never tried it since i usually just pick the lo.. Uhm, use the keys.

EDIT: To this day, I have no broken bones. Cracks yes, but no broken bones. Either someone up there is looking out for me, or me dumb luck is about to run out.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Some random teenager or other Darwin Award seeker would be the wildest stroke of luck for it to work for even a few seconds.

It all depends on the driver's skill. Age has nothing to do with it. Me girlfriends can do it. I believe her record is slightly over one minute. And that's with no formal stunt training.

They never really seem to be going fast enough to jump the 3 or four car-lengths they'd have to travel, then the car's frame isn't built to come crashing down on the nose like they do in films and drive away.

I once attempted this with a stock 1996 Volvo 940. The rims were deformed, all four shocks went through their mounts and through the hood, the springs shattered and the entire front end was twisted upwards during the landing. Although to the engineers credit, the car was still somewhat drivable. Forwards, backwards and slight turns and up on the trailer. To this day, the engine is still powering a Super Seven kit car.

The car was stock aside from a quickly installed roll cage, seat from a WRC car, six point seat belts, and remotely activated fire suppression system. Mechanically it was not modified. We never mresured how long the "flight" was, but the height was approx 8 meters.


As for the two wheel driving. They cars are modified. I know this for a fact since I've done it meself. Special rims are used, with tires that have thicker sides. The car is also stripped of everything unnecessary and often balanced with weights. The frame/chassi is also strengthened.

Finally, huh, the credit car trick. I've never tried it since i usually just pick the lo.. Uhm, use the keys.

Nor was age really mine, but teens are likely to try something stupid, as well as quite a number of others hence the Darwin comment. In short, any person selected at random is going to drive for a minute or so like your GF? Is that what you're getting at? As to your alleged jump, you were able to continue a high speed driving and performance task like the chases that continue in movies and TV like 'The Dukes of Hazard'?

 

[ares93]

Nor was age really mine, but teens are likely to try something stupid, as well as quite a number of others hence the Darwin comment.

I'm not really one to pass judgement on teenage stupidity. You should see me track record. Its...extensive.

In short, any person selected at random is going to drive for a minute or so like your GF? Is that what you're getting at?

Never said that, she's damn talented. She a far better driver than I am. And he's 19, two weeks older than I am. Me point was that age doesn't really matter.

I'm a good driver because I've practiced. I've got more hours logged on the track than anyone i know. She just got into the bloody car and pwned, if you forgive me gaming analogy. She took an eight month standing record in street slam on her second try. I'm not pulling your leg on this, mate. I'm serious.

As to your alleged jump, you were able to continue a high speed driving and performance task like the chases that continue in movies and TV like 'The Dukes of Hazard'?

Now, you're probably not a car mechanic, but read me description of the car and rethink your question, yeah? The damn thing as barely able to move. And that was with new rims and tires. The underside was scraping the asphalt.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Nor was age really mine, but teens are likely to try something stupid, as well as quite a number of others hence the Darwin comment.

I'm not really one to pass judgement on teenage stupidity. You should see me track record. Its...extensive.

In short, any person selected at random is going to drive for a minute or so like your GF? Is that what you're getting at?

Never said that, she's damn talented. She a far better driver than I am. And he's 19, two weeks older than I am. Me point was that age doesn't really matter.

I'm a good driver because I've practiced. I've got more hours logged on the track than anyone i know. She just got into the bloody car and pwned, if you forgive me gaming analogy. She took an eight month standing record in street slam on her second try. I'm not pulling your leg on this, mate. I'm serious.

As to your alleged jump, you were able to continue a high speed driving and performance task like the chases that continue in movies and TV like 'The Dukes of Hazard'?

Now, you're probably not a car mechanic, but read me description of the car and rethink your question, yeah? The damn thing as barely able to move. And that was with new rims and tires. The underside was scraping the asphalt.

I am sure you can teach the average person or actor to handle the car to balance in an hour or so. The physical mechanics being what they are, I imagine it is more about the driver being calm and knowing how to handle the conditions. Give them a day or two to practice and I imagine anyone can do it, but take an 10 average joes off the street and just say go to it? I imagine more disaster than success. As for jumping, my comment wasn't about the car being able to move, but to continue on as if unaffected (even the paint job unscratched) by the jump as is the case in many movies.

 

[ares93]

^ Yeah, you need talent for it. The ten average joes don't even know how to use the bloody turn indicators, at least on this side of the pond. It'll be like giving John McClane a nuke, I'd wager.

Right, it might be just me, but by saying that the car was "barely able to move", i figured you'd realize that high speed pursuit was impossible. In answer to your question then; In me opinion, its impossible with a stock car. In fact, considering the damage to the car, I seriously doubt it can be done, at all. I might be able to find a pic of the remains. But I'm not making any promises, it was over a year ago. For all I know the bloke got rid of the wreckage.

 

[Amaris]

Question 1 (credit card): Yes, I've done this several times (all on my own door lock, of course).
Question 2 (tipped up car): Yes, my friend Allen did this years ago. He was a crazy man. He's still a crazy man.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

The credit card trick works on one of those handle locks, but won't work for a deadbolt. My roommate did it for a house we started renting before we got a working key.

 

[propita]

Mine is the inevitable car chase in a city like New York or London. I can't imagine a high speed movie chase lasting more than a half dozen blocks due to the congestion. Then there is the almost as inevitable car leaps some road block the police have set up by using some obstacle as a ramp to then fly over several cars and zoom away. They never really seem to be going fast enough to jump the 3 or four car-lengths they'd have to travel, then the car's frame isn't built to come crashing down on the nose like they do in films and drive away.

Waaaay back in 1986 and 1987, I went to London with my parents about this time of year (Xmas). We took cabs on Christmas Day since the Underground didn't run. The streets were EMPTY. Seriously empty. We went out and I could see a cab 6blocks down the stret because there was NO traffic. Like a movie. So neat. So weird.

 

[MLJames]

My dad was a fireman in midtown Manhattan back in the '50s and 60's. He always used to laugh at movies showing emergency vehicles roaring through the streets on the island, because he said he never went faster than 30 mph on a call the entire time he was on active duty.

 

[ALF]

Use the card to hire some thugs to ram the door open.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Yeah, a Platinum Card will open a lot of doors.

 

[ares93]

^ So will a well aimed kick.



What? I live in Little Baghdad. What did you expect? The only marine we have to keep the peace is over seventy and walks with a limp. Although, you really should avoid his cane. He has mean one handed swings.