opera window

File:1956 Ford Thunderbird (24536709595).jpg

File:1977-Matador Barcelona-opera window.JPG Barcelona coupe fixed opera window surrounded by padded Landau roof]]

File:1973 Dodge Charger SE opera windows.jpg SE coupe fixed opera window behind the side door glass]]

File:1991 Cadillac Fleetwood gold-edition black vr.jpg 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".{{cite book |last=Locke |first=William S. |title=Elcar and Pratt automobiles: the complete history |date=2000 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-0956-3 |page=71}} 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]".{{cite book |last=Szudarek |first=Robert |title=The first century of the Detroit Auto Show |date=2000 |publisher=Society of Automotive Engineers |location=Warrendale, Pennsylvania |isbn=978-0-7680-0502-8 |page=210}}

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.{{cite magazine |last=Stern |first=Milton |title=The Peak of Personal Luxury |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=April 2018 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/the-peak-of-personal-luxury |access-date=26 November 2022}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Herd |first1=Paul |last2=Mueller |first2=Paul |title=Charger, Road Runner & Super Bee |date=1994 |publisher=Motorbooks International |isbn=978-0-87938-844-7 |page=119}} 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.{{cite book |last=Flory Jr. |first=J. "Kelly" |title=American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year |date=2012 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5636-9 |page=22 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yPwcDJ10TtAC&dq=Standard+rooflines+on+coupes+used+a+new+fixed+rear+quarter+window+rectangular+vertical+opera+window+for+upper+trim&pg=PA22 |access-date=26 November 2022 |via=Google Books}}

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.

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.{{cite web |title=Dodge Magnum: the briefly made, sporty-style car of the 1970s |url= http://www.allpar.com/model/magnum-dodge.html |website=allpar.com |date=February 2017 |access-date=3 September 2020}} 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.{{cn|date=June 2019}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Stembridge |first1=Ed |title=Curbside Classic: 1974 Matador X Coupe – Great X-pectations |url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1974-matador-x-coupe-great-x-pectations/ |work=Curbside Classic |date=19 October 2018 |access-date=26 November 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Severson |first1=Aaron |title=What's a Matador? The AMC Matador, Rebel, and Classic |url= https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/amc-matador/ |work=Ate Up With Motor |date=25 December 2009 |access-date=26 November 2022}} Penske racing requested AMC a small "porthole" to smooth the airflow when open to the wind under racing conditions.{{cite web |url= http://www.geocities.com/mmbb444/page3.html |archive-url= https://archive.today/20240524171845/https://www.webcitation.org/5ko5KEsPO?url=http://www.geocities.com/mmbb444/page3.html |title=AMC Matador NASCAR Bullfighter |archive-date= 24 May 2024 |access-date=3 September 2020 |url-status= live }} To qualify as a stock item for use on the tracks, NASCAR required 500 units must be available to the public. 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.{{cite web |last1=Sikora II |first1=Don |title=Review Flashback! 1975 AMC Matador |url= https://blog.consumerguide.com/review-flashback-1975-amc-matador/ |work=The Daily Drive by Consumer Guide |date=10 April 2013 |access-date=26 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=1974-1978 AMC Matador |url= http://automobilebrandsofthepast.blogspot.com/2009/05/1974-1978-amc-matador.html |website=Automobile Brand's Of The Past.. |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=26 November 2022}}

File:ToyotaCrownGS110Coupe.JPG

File:1979 AMC Concord two-door sedan at 2015 AMO meet-07.jpg with standard "landau" roof trim]]

File:1977 Mercury Monarch opera window.jpg with standard painted roof]]

• AMC Concord (1978–1982 coupe, 1980–1983 4-door sedan){{cite book |last=Cranswick |first=Marc |title=The Cars of American Motors: An Illustrated History |date=2011 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-8570-3 |page=252 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=r9j7MWLE_jMC&pg=PA252 |access-date=26 November 2022 |via=Google Books}}{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Corey |title=Rare Rides: The 1981 AMC Concord Keeps it on the D/L |url= https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/06/rare-rides-the-1981-amc-concord-keeps-it-on-the-d-l/ |publisher=The Truth About Cars |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=10 June 2019}}
• AMC Eagle coupe (1980–1988), 4-door (1980–1988){{cite book |last=Flammang |first=James M. |title=Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1986 |date=1990 |publisher=Krause Publications |isbn=978-0-87341-133-2 |pages=12–14 |edition=Second}}
• AMC Matador coupe: D/L Formal Window Package (1974–1975) and Barcelona (1976–1978){{cite web |date=26 October 2007 |title=1974-1978 AMC Matador |url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1974-1978-amc-matador.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150905225902/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1974-1978-amc-matador.htm |archive-date=5 September 2015 |website=How Stuff Works |access-date=26 November 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Sikora |first1=Don |title=Review Flashback! 1975 AMC Matador |url= http://blog.consumerguide.com/review-flashback-1975-amc-matador/ |work=Consumer Guide |date=10 April 2013 |access-date=10 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=1976 AMC Full Line brochure |page=22 |url= http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/AMC/1976_AMC/1976_%20AMC_Full_Line_Brochure/1976%20AMC%20Full%20Line-22.html |website=oldcarbrochures.com |access-date=10 January 2019}}{{cite magazine |last=DeMauro |first=Thomas A. |title=Majestic Matador - 1977 AMC Matador |url= https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/majestic-matador-1977-amc-matador |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=August 2018 |access-date=26 November 2022}}
• Buick Regal coupe (1973–1977)
• Buick Riviera (1974–1978){{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Jeff |title=1977-78 Buick Riviera – A Short Life In Hard Times |url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1977-78-buick-riviera-a-short-life-in-hard-times/ |publisher=Curbside Classic |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=22 August 2011}}
• 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){{cite web |last1=Klockau |first1=Thomas |title=1990 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham LS: Capricious excess |url= https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/klockau-classics/1990-chevrolet-caprice-classic-brougham-ls-capricious-excess/ |publisher=Hagerty Media |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=17 October 2020}}
• Chevrolet Chevelle coupe (including Malibu and Laguna, 1973–1977){{cite magazine |last=Stern |first=Milton |title=Malibu: Classic Colonnade |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=May 2018 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/malibu-classic-colonnade |access-date=26 November 2022}}
• Chevrolet Concours coupe (1976–1977){{cite web |last1=Dixon |first1=Russ |title=17k Mile Survivor: 1976 Chevrolet Nova Concours |url= https://barnfinds.com/17k-mile-survivor-1976-chevrolet-nova-concours/ |work=Barn Finds |date=27 March 2021 |access-date=24 July 2023}}{{cite web |title=1977 Concours by Chevrolet (brochure) |url= https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1977-Chevrolet-Nova-Concours.pdf |website=xr793.com |access-date=24 July 2023}}
• Chevrolet Impala (1974–1976)
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1973–1977, 1981–1988){{cite web |last1=Severson |first1=Aaron |title=Disco-Era Darling: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo |url= https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/chevrolet-monte-carlo/ |work=Ate Up With Motor |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=14 November 2009}}
• Chrysler Cordoba (1975–1983){{cite web |last1=Dunton |first1=Pete |title=1975 Chrysler Cordoba - Right Luxury Car for the Time |url= https://oldcarmemories.com/1975-chrysler-cordoba-right-luxury-car-for-the-time/ |publisher=Old Car Memories |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=3 April 2009}}
• Chrysler LeBaron coupe (1977–1986)
• Chrysler Newport (1976–1978){{cite magazine |last=DeMAuro |first=Thomas A. |title=Cultured Chrysler - 1977-'79 Chrysler LeBaron |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=October 2019 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/cultured-chrysler-1977-79-chrysler-lebaron |access-date=26 November 2022}}
• Chrysler New Yorker (1974–1978)
• Chrysler TC by Maserati (1989–1991) on the removable hardtop{{cite web |last1=Tahaney |first1=Ed |title=A Brief History of the Nonsensical Chrysler TC by Maserati |url= https://www.motortrend.com/news/chrysler-tc-maserati-price-history-specs-models-lebaron-differences/ |publisher=Motor Trend |access-date=18 July 2021 |date=5 May 2020}}
• Citroën BX Series 1 (1982–1986)
• Continental Mark IV, V & VI (1972–1983){{cite web |title=1976 Continental Mark IV Designer Edition Opera Windows |url= http://automotivemileposts.com/mark41976operawindows.html |website=automotivemileposts.com |access-date=3 September 2020}}
• Daihatsu Charade Runabout (G10/20, 1978–1983){{cite web |last1=Shoar |first1=Perry |title=Cohort Sighting: Daihatsu Charade – Smallest Production Car With Opera Windows |url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/cohort-sighting-daihatsu-charade-smallest-car-with-opera-windows/ |work=Curbside Classic |date=26 April 2014 |access-date=24 July 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Stephen |title=Top 10 Obscure Japanese Cars |url= https://www.topspeed.com/top-10-obscure-japanese-cars-that-history-forgot-about/#toyopet-rs36v-masterline |work=TopSpeed |date=16 October 2022 |access-date=24 July 2023}}
• Dodge 400 (1981–1983)
• Dodge 600 coupe (1984–1986)
• Dodge Aries 2-door (1981–1989)
• Dodge Aspen coupe (1976–1980){{cite web |last1=Knutson |first1=Lanny |title=1976 Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen |url= https://www.allpar.com/d3/model/volare.html |work=Allpar |access-date=24 July 2023}}
• Dodge Charger (1973–1978)
• Dodge Diplomat coupe (1977–1981)
• Dodge Magnum (1978–1979){{cite web |last1=Demauro |first1=Thomas A. |title=Magnum Opus - 1978 Dodge Magnum XE |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/magnum-opus-1978-dodge-magnum-xe |publisher=Hemmings |access-date=24 July 2023 |date=23 October 2018}}
• 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){{cite book |last1=Farr |first1=Donald |title=Speed Read Mustang: The History, Design and Culture Behind Ford's Original Pony Car |date=2018 |publisher=Motorbooks |isbn=978-0-7603-6442-0 |pages=50, 67 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=APZcDwAAQBAJ&dq=Mustang+Opera+window&pg=PA67 |access-date=26 November 2022 |via=Google Books}}
• 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){{cite web |title='74 Ford Torino (brochure) |url= https://xr793.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1974-Ford-Torino.pdf |website=xr793.org |access-date=24 July 2023}}
• 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){{cite magazine |last1=Hartford |first1=Bill |title=Driving the 1978 Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=October 1977 |volume=148 |issue=4 |page=110 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6uEDAAAAMBAJ&q=Two-doors+get+a+gimmicky+%22Twin-dow%2C%22+a+split+opera+window&pg=PA110 |quote=Two-doors get a gimmicky 'Twin-dow', a split opera window. |access-date=26 November 2022 |via=Google Books}}
• 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){{cite book |last1=Flory |first1=J. "Kelly" Jr |title=American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year |date=2012 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5636-9 |page=542 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yPwcDJ10TtAC&dq=Oldsmobile+Cutlass+choice+of+vertically+louvered+rear+quarter+windows+or+rear+quarter+opera+window&pg=PA542 |access-date=26 November 2022 |via=Google Books |quote=choice of vertically louvered rear quarter windows or rear quarter opera window}}
• 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)
• Toyota Carina Van TA16V/19V (1975–1977){{citation |script-title=ja:カリーナバン 1400ー1600 |trans-title=Carina Van 1400–1600 |language=ja |publisher=Toyota |date=December 1975 |page=4 | id = 135741—5012 }}
• Toyota Crown coupe (1979–1983){{cite web |title=History of the Toyota Crown |url=https://blog.toyota.co.uk/history-of-the-toyota-crown |work=Toyota UK |date=6 August 2015 |quote=opera windows were added to the thick C-pillars to enhance rear visibility and give the model a distinctive design feature |access-date=3 September 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101090911/https://blog.toyota.co.uk/history-of-the-toyota-crown |url-status=dead }}

• Quarter glass

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• {{Commons category inline|Opera windows}}

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Category:Automotive styling features

Category:Car windows

Category:1970s fads and trends