Opera window

Not to be confused with quarter glass.

Opera window, with photo-etched logo, and padded Landau roof on a 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car

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

1956–1957 Ford Thunderbird "porthole" opera window in removable hardtop

1977 AMC Matador Barcelona coupe fixed opera window surrounded by padded Landau roof

1973 Dodge Charger SE coupe fixed opera window behind the side door glass

1991 Cadillac Brougham opera window as part of the rear door

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.^{[citation needed]}

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

Toyota Crown coupe

1979 AMC Concord with standard "landau" roof trim

1977 Mercury Monarch with standard painted roof

• 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

• Quarter glass

References

1. "Oxford Dictionary: definition of Opera Window". Lexico Dictionaries. Retrieved 3 September 2020.^{[dead link‍]}
2. "1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
3. Haajanen, Lennart W. (2017). Illustrated Dictionary of Automobile Body Styles (Second ed.). McFarland. pp. 80, 112. ISBN 978-0-7864-9918-2. Retrieved 26 November 2022 – via Google Books.
4. Locke, William S. (2000). Elcar and Pratt automobiles: the complete history. McFarland. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-7864-0956-3.
5. Szudarek, Robert (2000). The first century of the Detroit Auto Show. Warrendale, Pennsylvania: Society of Automotive Engineers. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-7680-0502-8.
6. Stern, Milton (April 2018). "The Peak of Personal Luxury". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
7. Herd, Paul; Mueller, Paul (1994). Charger, Road Runner & Super Bee. Motorbooks International. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-87938-844-7.
8. Flory Jr., J. "Kelly" (2012). American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7864-5636-9. Retrieved 26 November 2022 – via Google Books.
9. "Dodge Magnum: the briefly made, sporty-style car of the 1970s". allpar.com. February 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
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11. Severson, Aaron (25 December 2009). "What's a Matador? The AMC Matador, Rebel, and Classic". Ate Up With Motor. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
12. "AMC Matador NASCAR Bullfighter". Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
13. Sikora II, Don (10 April 2013). "Review Flashback! 1975 AMC Matador". The Daily Drive by Consumer Guide. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
14. "1974-1978 AMC Matador". Automobile Brand's Of The Past.. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
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16. Lewis, Corey (10 June 2019). "Rare Rides: The 1981 AMC Concord Keeps it on the D/L". The Truth About Cars. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
17. Flammang, James M. (1990). Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1986 (Second ed.). Krause Publications. pp. 12–14. ISBN 978-0-87341-133-2.
18. "1974-1978 AMC Matador". How Stuff Works. 26 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
19. Sikora, Don (10 April 2013). "Review Flashback! 1975 AMC Matador". Consumer Guide. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
20. "1976 AMC Full Line brochure". oldcarbrochures.com. p. 22. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
21. DeMauro, Thomas A. (August 2018). "Majestic Matador - 1977 AMC Matador". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
22. Nelson, Jeff (22 August 2011). "1977-78 Buick Riviera – A Short Life In Hard Times". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
23. Klockau, Thomas (17 October 2020). "1990 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham LS: Capricious excess". Hagerty Media. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
24. Stern, Milton (May 2018). "Malibu: Classic Colonnade". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
25. Dixon, Russ (27 March 2021). "17k Mile Survivor: 1976 Chevrolet Nova Concours". Barn Finds. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
26. "1977 Concours by Chevrolet (brochure)" (PDF). xr793.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
27. Severson, Aaron (14 November 2009). "Disco-Era Darling: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo". Ate Up With Motor. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
28. Dunton, Pete (3 April 2009). "1975 Chrysler Cordoba - Right Luxury Car for the Time". Old Car Memories. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
29. DeMAuro, Thomas A. (October 2019). "Cultured Chrysler - 1977-'79 Chrysler LeBaron". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
30. Tahaney, Ed (5 May 2020). "A Brief History of the Nonsensical Chrysler TC by Maserati". Motor Trend. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
31. "1976 Continental Mark IV Designer Edition Opera Windows". automotivemileposts.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
32. Shoar, Perry (26 April 2014). "Cohort Sighting: Daihatsu Charade – Smallest Production Car With Opera Windows". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
33. Perry, Stephen (16 October 2022). "Top 10 Obscure Japanese Cars". TopSpeed. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
34. Knutson, Lanny. "1976 Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen". Allpar. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
35. Demauro, Thomas A. (23 October 2018). "Magnum Opus - 1978 Dodge Magnum XE". Hemmings. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
36. Farr, Donald (2018). Speed Read Mustang: The History, Design and Culture Behind Ford's Original Pony Car. Motorbooks. pp. 50, 67. ISBN 978-0-7603-6442-0. Retrieved 26 November 2022 – via Google Books.
37. "'74 Ford Torino (brochure)" (PDF). xr793.org. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
38. Hartford, Bill (October 1977). "Driving the 1978 Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 148, no. 4. p. 110. Retrieved 26 November 2022 – via Google Books. Two-doors get a gimmicky 'Twin-dow', a split opera window.
39. Flory, J. "Kelly" Jr (2012). American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland. p. 542. ISBN 978-0-7864-5636-9. Retrieved 26 November 2022 – via Google Books. choice of vertically louvered rear quarter windows or rear quarter opera window
40. カリーナバン 1400ー1600 [Carina Van 1400–1600] (in Japanese), Toyota, December 1975, p. 4, 135741—5012
41. "History of the Toyota Crown". Toyota UK. 6 August 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020. opera windows were added to the thick C-pillars to enhance rear visibility and give the model a distinctive design feature

External links

• Media related to Opera windows at Wikimedia Commons