rare three-door 200 series?

Hello, I'm writing this on behalf of a friend of mine who owns a '86 200-series. The thing is that it has 3 doors - two on the passanger side and one on the drivers side. He is pretty certain it's not a hack although we haven't found any information about it on the web or on any of the forums (including this). There is an article on Wikipedia (that even includes a picture of his car before new paintjob) but that seems to be BS. The car was previously owned by swedish police but I haven't seen it in any of the old brochures. By VIN code it's a 4-door. Any information about this weird "thing" is apprecciated. I'll post pics soon. Margus from Estonia

now that does sound strange....! Looking forward to the pics :D Just off to look on wikipedia.....EDIT: no luck...:( Guess ill have to wait for the pics..) Steve

Could have been a dealer showroom model? Ive seen an austin metro with the same treatment. I believe it was built by BL apprentices.

I have recollections in the distant past reading about a protype safety model - could even have been a 140 with 3 doors. The rear passenger door being on the nearside. the idea was it would prevent rears eat passengers alighting into the traffic. Mike

Seeing as it was previously owned by Swedish Police. Could it be that it was so that those detained had little chance of escape - as in once in the rear against the 'bulkhead', with an escort on the 'door-side'.................?

I saw the 140 3dr in the bowells of the Torslander plant in the early 90's. It was in an area where hand built mock ups were made and stored. I am also aware of the 243 from around that time. No one in the plant could tell me why they had been made other than to prove it could be done! BTW I was there to 'sit' in the prototype RHD 850 dashboard/ front seat mock up to test the pedal position. The special chassis rail which curved round the rear of the front inner whell arch to join the sill and create a diversion from the front into the side on front impact ( rather than the chassis rail being under the driver ) was causing limited foot space for the throttle pedal) They needed a RHD person to assess the design. We changed it slightly BTW..my only claim to fame in the design ofiice There was all sorts of other interesting stuff, a 240 Turbo race car from the 85 ETC season, some interesting flared arches on a 940, ambulances for an Arab customer and a few limos and hearses Sorry I can't tell you why the 143 and 243 were built, sometimes the guys down in the plant got bored!!!!!!!!! Richard

The hatchback prototype. Your pic looks like a 242........