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.

The three-box, notchback design of the Fiat 124 Coupé
A three-box liftback in notchback form—with its vestigial third box, the European Ford Escort

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
1939 Cadillac Series 60 Special

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]

Other 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

References
  1. "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.
  2. "1938-'40 Cadillac Sixty Special". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  3. "Take Me to Your Style Leader: The 1938–1942 Cadillac Sixty Special". www.ateupwithmotor.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  4. 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
  5. "Chevrolutionary! - 1973 Chevrolet Vega GT Millionth Edition, 1976 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  6. "How the Chevy Vega Nearly Destroyed GM". www.popularmechanics.com. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  7. Chevrolet Vega brochures- years 1971–77. Chevrolet.
  8. "sedan". Chambers 21st Century Dictionary. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  9. "saloon". Chambers 21st Century Dictionary. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  10. 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.
  11. Barnard, R.H. (1996). Road Vehicle Aerodynamic Design. Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-24522-8.


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