Notchback
A notchback is a category of car characterized as having a three-box design where the trunk (boot) volume is less pronounced than the engine and passenger compartments.
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Many models of sedans, coupés or hatchbacks could be classified as notchbacks, however the category has limited salience outside of American car manufacturers distinguishing the three-box models from other body styles in the same model range. For example, the Chevrolet Vega range included both a notchback coupe and a fastback coupe.
North America
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One of the first cars marketed as a notchback is the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special.[1][2][3]
In 1952, a notchback version of the Nash Ambassador was introduced.[4]
In 1971, Chevrolet marketed the three-box sedan models of the Chevrolet Vega as a notchback in order to differentiate them from the fastback Vega models.[5][6] For the 1973 model year, the car's name was changed to "Vega Notchback".[7]
- 1971 Chevrolet Vega
- 1961 Rambler Ambassador sedan
English-speaking countries
While many car models have notchback characteristics, the category is largely unused outside of North America, with their body style being described using other terms. For example, a three-box sedan[8] is more generally known as a "saloon" in British English.[9] "Notchback" has appeared in a few British English publications, however it is not a term that is used in common parlance in Britain.[10][11]
See also
- Car body style
- Ponton Styling
References
- "1940, The Cadillac Sixty Sets Another Styling Trend". General Motors: Generations of GM Wiki Timeline. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- "1938-'40 Cadillac Sixty Special". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- "Take Me to Your Style Leader: The 1938–1942 Cadillac Sixty Special". www.ateupwithmotor.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- Gunnell, John (1992). Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975. Krause Publications. p. 468. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
There was new styling for the Ambassador and Statesman. A new notch back body created by Italy's Pininfarina was the fashion hit of the marque's 50th year
- "Chevrolutionary! - 1973 Chevrolet Vega GT Millionth Edition, 1976 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- "How the Chevy Vega Nearly Destroyed GM". www.popularmechanics.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- Chevrolet Vega brochures- years 1971–77. Chevrolet.
- "sedan". Chambers 21st Century Dictionary. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- "saloon". Chambers 21st Century Dictionary. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- Stevenson, Angus; Waite, Maurice, eds. (2011). "notchback". Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Luxury ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 978. ISBN 9780199601110.
a car with a back that extends approximately horizontally from the bottom of the rear window so as to make a distinct angle with it.
- Barnard, R.H. (1996). Road Vehicle Aerodynamic Design. Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-24522-8.