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

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

• 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]