Anopera windowis a small fixed window usually behind the rear side window of an automobile.[1]They are typically mounted in theC-pillarof some cars.[2]The design feature was popular during the 1970s and early 1980s and adopted by domestic U.S. manufacturers, most often with avinyl 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, "theElcarin 1924 was good looking... and even a fabric top in the style of abroughamwith oval opera windows framed bylandaubars ".[4]Opera windows saw their demise in the 1930s.
Perhaps the most notable return was the "porthole" in the 1956–1957Ford 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 1972Continental Mark IV.Almost allpersonal luxury carswould adopt opera windows, usually framed by a vinyl roof.[6]Most often, opera window variants were applied on two-doorhardtoporcoupémodels, spanning all types of vehicles from economycompactstoflagshippersonal 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-calledopera lightthat was mounted on the outside of the B-pillar or C-pillar and illuminated when the exterior lights were switched on.
Function
editThe windows were intended to offset the significantblind spotscreated 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 lessclaustrophobic.[citation needed]
These windows were usually non-functional; however, in the case of theAMC MatadorcoupeNASCARracers, the standard roll-down quarter windows were causingaerodynamicdrag.[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 IItrim package.[11][13][14]
Examples
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- AMC Concord(1978–1982 coupe, 1980–1983 4-door sedan)[15][16]
- AMC Eaglecoupe (1980–1988), 4-door (1980–1988)[17]
- AMC Matadorcoupe: D/L Formal Window Package (1974–1975) and Barcelona (1976–1978)[18][19][20][21]
- Buick Regalcoupe (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 Broughamcoupe (1980–1985)
- Cadillac Fleetwoodcoupe (1985–1986, 1989–1992)
- Cadillac Sixty Specialcoupe (1993)
- Cadillac Fleetwood75 series (1971–1976, 1985–1987)
- Cadillac Fleetwoodlimousine (1977–1984)
- Chevrolet Caprice(1974–1980)[23]
- Chevrolet Chevellecoupe (including Malibu and Laguna, 1973–1977)[24]
- Chevrolet Concourscoupe (1976–1977)[25][26]
- Chevrolet Impala(1974–1976)
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo(1973–1977, 1981–1988)[27]
- Chrysler Cordoba(1975–1983)[28]
- Chrysler LeBaroncoupe (1977–1986)
- Chrysler Newport(1976–1978)[29]
- Chrysler New Yorker(1974–1978)
- Chrysler TC by Maserati(1989–1991) on the removable hardtop[30]
- Citroën BXSeries 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 600coupe (1984–1986)
- Dodge Aries2-door (1981–1989)
- Dodge Aspencoupe (1976–1980)[34]
- Dodge Charger(1973–1978)
- Dodge Diplomatcoupe (1977–1981)
- Dodge Magnum(1978–1979)[35]
- Dodge Mirada(1980–1983)
- Dodge Monacocoupe (1977–1978)
- Dodge Royal Monacocoupe (1974–1977)
- Ford Elite(1974–1976)
- Ford Granada2-door (1975–1980)
- Ford Mustang IIGhia (1975–1978)[36]
- Ford LTD,Crown Victoria2-door (1975–1987)
- Ford LTD II(1977–1979)
- Ford Thunderbird(1956–1957, 1973–1982, 2002–2005)
- Ford Torino2-door (1974–1976)[37]
- Imperial LeBaroncoupe (1974–1975)
- Lincoln Continental(1975–1980)
- Lincoln Town Car(1981–1997)
- Mazda RX-5(1975–1980)
- Mercury Cougar(1974–1982)
- Mercury Marquis,Grand Marquis2-door (1979–1987)
- Mercury Monarch2-door (1975–1980)[38]
- Mercury Montego2-door (1974–1976)
- Nissan SilviaS110 series 2-door coupe (1979–1983)
- Oldsmobile 88(1974–1984)
- Oldsmobile 98(1974–1987)
- Oldsmobile Cutlasscoupe (1973–1977)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Calaiscoupe (1981–1984)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Saloncoupe (1985–1988)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme(1973–1988)
- Oldsmobile Omegacoupe (1975–1979)
- Oldsmobile Toronado(1974–1978)
- Pontiac Bonneville(1975–1979)
- Pontiac Catalina(1974–1976)
- Pontiac Grand Amcoupe (1973–1977)
- Pontiac Grand Prix(1973–1987)
- Pontiac Grand Ville(1974–1975)
- Pontiac Lemanscoupe (1973–1980)[39]
- Pontiac Phoenixcoupe (1977–1979)
- Pontiac Sunbirdnotchback coupe (1976–1980)
- Pontiac Venturacoupe (1975–1979)
- Plymouth Gran Fury(1974–1977)
- Plymouth Fury(1976–1978)
- Plymouth Reliant2-door (1981–1989)
- Plymouth Volarecoupe (1976–1980)[34]
- Toyota Carina VanTA16V/19V (1975–1977)[40]
- Toyota Crowncoupe (1979–1983)[41]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Oxford Dictionary: definition of Opera Window".Lexico Dictionaries.Retrieved3 September2020.[dead link]
- ^ab"1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado".conceptcarz.Retrieved3 September2020.
- ^abHaajanen, Lennart W. (2017).Illustrated Dictionary of Automobile Body Styles(Second ed.). McFarland. pp. 80, 112.ISBN978-0-7864-9918-2.Retrieved26 November2022– via Google Books.
- ^Locke, William S. (2000).Elcar and Pratt automobiles: the complete history.McFarland. p. 71.ISBN978-0-7864-0956-3.
- ^Szudarek, Robert (2000).The first century of the Detroit Auto Show.Warrendale, Pennsylvania: Society of Automotive Engineers. p. 210.ISBN978-0-7680-0502-8.
- ^Stern, Milton (April 2018)."The Peak of Personal Luxury".Hemmings Classic Car.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^Herd, Paul; Mueller, Paul (1994).Charger, Road Runner & Super Bee.Motorbooks International. p. 119.ISBN978-0-87938-844-7.
- ^Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2012).American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year.McFarland. p. 22.ISBN978-0-7864-5636-9.Retrieved26 November2022– via Google Books.
- ^"Dodge Magnum: the briefly made, sporty-style car of the 1970s".allpar.February 2017.Retrieved3 September2020.
- ^Stembridge, Ed (19 October 2018)."Curbside Classic: 1974 Matador X Coupe – Great X-pectations".Curbside Classic.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^abcSeverson, Aaron (25 December 2009)."What's a Matador? The AMC Matador, Rebel, and Classic".Ate Up With Motor.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^"AMC Matador NASCAR Bullfighter".Archivedfrom the original on 24 May 2024.Retrieved3 September2020.
- ^Sikora II, Don (10 April 2013)."Review Flashback! 1975 AMC Matador".The Daily Drive by Consumer Guide.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^"1974-1978 AMC Matador".Automobile Brand's Of The Past..20 May 2009.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^Cranswick, Marc (2011).The Cars of American Motors: An Illustrated History.McFarland. p. 252.ISBN978-0-7864-8570-3.Retrieved26 November2022– via Google Books.
- ^Lewis, Corey (10 June 2019)."Rare Rides: The 1981 AMC Concord Keeps it on the D/L".The Truth About Cars.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^Flammang, James M. (1990).Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1986(Second ed.). Krause Publications. pp. 12–14.ISBN978-0-87341-133-2.
- ^"1974-1978 AMC Matador".How Stuff Works.26 October 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 5 September 2015.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^Sikora, Don (10 April 2013)."Review Flashback! 1975 AMC Matador".Consumer Guide.Retrieved10 January2019.
- ^"1976 AMC Full Line brochure".oldcarbrochures.p. 22.Retrieved10 January2019.
- ^DeMauro, Thomas A. (August 2018)."Majestic Matador - 1977 AMC Matador".Hemmings Classic Car.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^Nelson, Jeff (22 August 2011)."1977-78 Buick Riviera – A Short Life In Hard Times".Curbside Classic.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^Klockau, Thomas (17 October 2020)."1990 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham LS: Capricious excess".Hagerty Media.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^Stern, Milton (May 2018)."Malibu: Classic Colonnade".Hemmings Classic Car.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^Dixon, Russ (27 March 2021)."17k Mile Survivor: 1976 Chevrolet Nova Concours".Barn Finds.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^"1977 Concours by Chevrolet (brochure)"(PDF).xr793.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^Severson, Aaron (14 November 2009)."Disco-Era Darling: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo".Ate Up With Motor.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^Dunton, Pete (3 April 2009)."1975 Chrysler Cordoba - Right Luxury Car for the Time".Old Car Memories.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^DeMAuro, Thomas A. (October 2019)."Cultured Chrysler - 1977-'79 Chrysler LeBaron".Hemmings Classic Car.Retrieved26 November2022.
- ^Tahaney, Ed (5 May 2020)."A Brief History of the Nonsensical Chrysler TC by Maserati".Motor Trend.Retrieved18 July2021.
- ^"1976 Continental Mark IV Designer Edition Opera Windows".automotivemileposts.Retrieved3 September2020.
- ^Shoar, Perry (26 April 2014)."Cohort Sighting: Daihatsu Charade – Smallest Production Car With Opera Windows".Curbside Classic.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^Perry, Stephen (16 October 2022)."Top 10 Obscure Japanese Cars".TopSpeed.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^abKnutson, Lanny."1976 Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen".Allpar.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^Demauro, Thomas A. (23 October 2018)."Magnum Opus - 1978 Dodge Magnum XE".Hemmings.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^Farr, Donald (2018).Speed Read Mustang: The History, Design and Culture Behind Ford's Original Pony Car.Motorbooks. pp. 50, 67.ISBN978-0-7603-6442-0.Retrieved26 November2022– via Google Books.
- ^"'74 Ford Torino (brochure) "(PDF).xr793.org.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^Hartford, Bill (October 1977)."Driving the 1978 Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys".Popular Mechanics.Vol. 148, no. 4. p. 110.Retrieved26 November2022– via Google Books.
Two-doors get a gimmicky 'Twin-dow', a split opera window.
- ^Flory, J. "Kelly" Jr (2012).American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year.McFarland. p. 542.ISBN978-0-7864-5636-9.Retrieved26 November2022– via Google Books.
choice of vertically louvered rear quarter windows or rear quarter opera window
- ^カリーナバン 1400ー1600[Carina Van 1400–1600] (in Japanese), Toyota, December 1975, p. 4, 135741—5012
- ^"History of the Toyota Crown".Toyota UK.6 August 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2020.Retrieved3 September2020.
opera windows were added to the thick C-pillars to enhance rear visibility and give the model a distinctive design feature
External links
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Media related toOpera windowsat Wikimedia Commons
