DID you celebrate Back To The Future Day? Much was made of the date used for the setting of events during the first act of the legendary film.

So October 21, 2015, had movie fans all over the world recalling the hoverboard, self-lacing shoes and, of course, the time-travelling car. They were all features that made the film such a massive box office hit … and reasons to recall it with a fanfare 30 years on.

The marvellous motor, a De Lorean, was kitted out with an array of eccentric equipment, including a ‘flux capacitor’ (beats cup holders any day). But when you think about the car, which element do you really remember?

Yes, it has to be the gull-wing doors.

Even though the configuration had been used before, the action of doors that operate in a way so unlike that of our own mundane motors is a real attention-grabber.

But there are other, equally ingenious, methods of getting into and out of a car’s cabin. So let’s say farewell to the humble hinge and open up a world of futuristic automotive invention.

Gullwing

Hinged to the roof at the top horizontal edge of the door, and open upward on a horizontal axis. Most famous: Mercedes 300 SL

Butterfly

Move via hinges along the A-pillar, on an axis not aligned vertically or horizontally to the vehicle or ground. Looks great on: McLaren F1

Canopy

Roof, windscreen, and sides are a single unit that moves upward, forward, or sideways to provide access. Gorgeous concept: Saab Aero X

Scissors

Rotate vertically at a fixed hinge at the front of the door, and open by rotating on a horizontal axis, perpendicular to the vehicle's length. Most dramatic: Lamborghini Aventador

Sliding

Mounted to or suspended from a track, and open by sliding horizontally alongside or into the vehicle sidewall. So neat: The US Kaiser Darrin sports car has ‘pocket’ doors that slide into the front wings.

Suicide

Hinged on the rear end of the doorframe, and open horizontally towards the rear. Funky look: Kia Naimo concept car.

Swan

Open outward like either a conventional door or a suicide door, but on an axis slightly tilted from vertical, or via articulation in the hinge to angle upward for better ground clearance. Hi-tech grace: BMW i8

Which looks best? We reckon it’s an open and shut case because, for sheer drama, it has to be the Saab Aero X. What a pity the car didn’t reach production.