Opera window
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An opera window is a small fixed window usually behind the rear side window of an automobile.[1] They are typically mounted in the C-pillar of some cars.[2] The design feature was popular during the 1970s and early 1980s and adopted by domestic U.S. manufacturers, most often with a vinyl roof.[2]
The origin was from "opera" vehicles of around 1915 with occasional collapsible seating for extra passengers.[3] The opera window was also a feature on "formal roof" and limousine models with higher than a normal roof to accommodate passengers with top hats.[3]
History
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The design element of a distinct, fixed, centered opera window was borrowed from such windows in horse-drawn carriages and used during the classical era of automobile styling. For example, "the Elcar in 1924 was good looking ... and even a fabric top in the style of a brougham with oval opera windows framed by landau bars".[4] Opera windows saw their demise in the 1930s.
Perhaps the most notable return was the "porthole" in the 1956–1957 Ford Thunderbird. It was provided as an option to improve rear-quarter visibility with the removable hardtop in place. "The hottest thing going was the 'porthole' window in the rear side pillar – called 'opera windows' – that came in during the horse and buggy [era]".[5]
Opera windows began reappearing in the early 1970s in such vehicles as the 1972 Continental Mark IV. Almost all personal luxury cars would adopt opera windows, usually framed by a vinyl roof.[6] Most often, opera window variants were applied on two-door hardtop or coupé models, spanning all types of vehicles from economy compacts to flagship personal luxury cars, in which latter exploding realm they became "recognition elements" seeking to add a vintage element to their styling.[7] General Motors introduced an all-new line of mid-sized "Colonade" models for the 1973 model year. Standard on all the coupes was a fixed triangular rear quarter window while higher trim versions used a rectangular vertical opera window.[8]
In some cars, an additional feature was the so-called opera light that was mounted on the outside of the B-pillar or C-pillar and illuminated when the exterior lights were switched on.
Function
The windows were intended to offset the significant blind spots created by wide C-pillars that were characteristic of many American cars produced at this time.[9] In an age of decreasing dimensions and increasingly common use of non-opening rear side windows on 2-door models, a variety of shapes of rear windows may have helped passengers there to feel somewhat less claustrophobic.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
These windows were usually non-functional; however, in the case of the AMC Matador coupe NASCAR racers, the standard roll-down quarter windows were causing aerodynamic drag.[10][11] Penske racing requested AMC a small "porthole" to smooth the airflow when open to the wind under racing conditions.[12] To qualify as a stock item for use on the tracks, NASCAR required 500 units must be available to the public.[11] The small opera window was first an optional "D/L Formal Window Package" on the Brougham models and then a standard feature on the Barcelona II trim package.[11][13][14]
Examples
- AMC Concord (1978–1982 coupe, 1980–1983 4-door sedan)[15][16]
- AMC Eagle coupe (1980–1988), 4-door (1980–1988)[17]
- AMC Matador coupe: D/L Formal Window Package (1974–1975) and Barcelona (1976–1978)[18][19][20][21]
- Buick Regal coupe (1973–1977)
- Buick Riviera (1974–1978)[22]
- Cadillac Coupe de Ville (1974–1979, 1985–1993)
- Cadillac Sedan de Ville (1975–1976)
- Cadillac Eldorado (1971–1978)
- Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham coupe (1980–1985)
- Cadillac Fleetwood coupe (1985–1986, 1989–1992)
- Cadillac Sixty Special coupe (1993)
- Cadillac Fleetwood 75 series (1971–1976, 1985–1987)
- Cadillac Fleetwood limousine (1977–1984)
- Chevrolet Caprice (1974–1980)[23]
- Chevrolet Chevelle coupe (including Malibu and Laguna, 1973–1977)[24]
- Chevrolet Concours coupe (1976–1977)[25][26]
- Chevrolet Impala (1974–1976)
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1973–1977, 1981–1988)[27]
- Chrysler Cordoba (1975–1983)[28]
- Chrysler LeBaron coupe (1977–1986)
- Chrysler Newport (1976–1978)[29]
- Chrysler New Yorker (1974–1978)
- Chrysler TC by Maserati (1989–1991) on the removable hardtop[30]
- Citroën BX Series 1 (1982–1986)
- Continental Mark IV, V & VI (1972–1983)[31]
- Daihatsu Charade Runabout (G10/20, 1978–1983)[32][33]
- Dodge 400 (1981–1983)
- Dodge 600 coupe (1984–1986)
- Dodge Aries 2-door (1981–1989)
- Dodge Aspen coupe (1976–1980)[34]
- Dodge Charger (1973–1978)
- Dodge Diplomat coupe (1977–1981)
- Dodge Magnum (1978–1979)[35]
- Dodge Mirada (1980–1983)
- Dodge Monaco coupe (1977–1978)
- Dodge Royal Monaco coupe (1974–1977)
- Ford Elite (1974–1976)
- Ford Granada 2-door (1975–1980)
- Ford Mustang II Ghia (1975–1978)[36]
- Ford LTD, Crown Victoria 2-door (1975–1987)
- Ford LTD II (1977–1979)
- Ford Thunderbird (1956–1957, 1973–1982, 2002–2005)
- Ford Torino 2-door (1974–1976)[37]
- Imperial LeBaron coupe (1974–1975)
- Lincoln Continental (1975–1980)
- Lincoln Town Car (1981–1997)
- Mazda RX-5 (1975–1980)
- Mercury Cougar (1974–1982)
- Mercury Marquis, Grand Marquis 2-door (1979–1987)
- Mercury Monarch 2-door (1975–1980)[38]
- Mercury Montego 2-door (1974–1976)
- Nissan Silvia S110 series 2-door coupe (1979–1983)
- Oldsmobile 88 (1974–1984)
- Oldsmobile 98 (1974–1987)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass coupe (1973–1977)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais coupe (1981–1984)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon coupe (1985–1988)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1973–1988)
- Oldsmobile Omega coupe (1975–1979)
- Oldsmobile Toronado (1974–1978)
- Pontiac Bonneville (1975–1979)
- Pontiac Catalina (1974–1976)
- Pontiac Grand Am coupe (1973–1977)
- Pontiac Grand Prix (1973–1987)
- Pontiac Grand Ville (1974–1975)
- Pontiac Lemans coupe (1973–1980)[39]
- Pontiac Phoenix coupe (1977–1979)
- Pontiac Sunbird notchback coupe (1976–1980)
- Pontiac Ventura coupe (1975–1979)
- Plymouth Gran Fury (1974–1977)
- Plymouth Fury (1976–1978)
- Plymouth Reliant 2-door (1981–1989)
- Plymouth Volare coupe (1976–1980)[34]
- Toyota Carina Van TA16V/19V (1975–1977)[40]
- Toyota Crown coupe (1979–1983)[41]
See also
References
External links
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