By Peter Tanshanomi
Last week, C-pillar buttresses got a whole lotta’ love from our commenters, therefore, I thought it prudent to let you explore that topic in depth today. Since what constitutes a buttress is up to debate, I thought I would open it up to anything with inset backlight glass. An amazing number of vehicles have back windows that are not flush with the roof profile. A definitive list of these is what we’re after here.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):
- It’s an all-skate. Customs, race cars, prototypes, concept cars — go wild.
- If you can come up with a motorcycle or airplane that fits this category, please feel free to get in there and put your thing down.
Difficulty: This one is pretty straightforward. No combat bonus pay today.
How This Works: Read the comments first and don’t post duplicates! Bonus points for adding photos.
Image Source: Wiki-freakin’-pedia.
Robert Crespo 
Jeff Glucker 
Kamil Kaluski
Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1957_Mercury_Turnpike_Cruiser_For_Sale_Rear_resize.jpg
https://theviperstore.com/images/Viper94_325.jpg
Marlboro Syclone
http://highperformancetrucks.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2077&g2_serialNumber=2
Notchback Firebird.
http://www.gtanotchback.com/graphic/gtanotchback.jpg
C3 Corvette 1968-1977. http://www.aeclassic.com/1977_corvette/009.jpg
Ferrari 250 LM. http://www.sportscarbible.com/_images/ferrari/ferrari-250-lm/ferrari-250-lm-m/ferrari-250-lm-mdscn0973scb.jpg
http://vpstestbringatrailercom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1973_Porsche_914_For_Sale_Orange_resize.jpg
1968-72 Corvettes not only fit the category, but the window also comes all the way out for below deck storage.
http://shop.docrebuild.com/images/products/detail/wind02.jpg
’71-’73 Mercury Cougar.
That Cougar puts the butt in buttress.
I like big coupes and I cannot lie.
Fiat 850 Lombardi. http://webcb.bay.studiocoast.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Fiat-Lombardi-rear.jpg
6th gen Maxima
http://file.kelleybluebookimages.com/kbb/vehicleimage/housenew/640×480/2005/2005-nissan-maxima-rearside_nimax052.jpg
Do factory cab extenders count? Shelby Dakota.
http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/09/18758986-770-0-700×525.jpg
I think so
http://st.automobilemag.com/uploads/sites/11/2012/04/2013-Chevrolet-Avalanche-Black-Diamond-rear-three-quarter.jpg
R-model Shelby.
http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Ford/66_Ford_Shelby_Mustang_GT_350-R_DV-06_PBI_a03.jpg
Its counterpart, the Fitch Sprint ; https://www.corvaircorsa.com/fitch/presson600.jpg https://www.corvaircorsa.com/fitch.html
and the died-at-birth-therefore-kinda-the-opposite-of-a-phoenix Fitch Phoenix: https://www.corvaircorsa.com/fitch/Phoenix-03.jpg https://www.corvaircorsa.com/fitch2.html
Numerous wagons, but Dodge Coronet was the first one to come to mind.
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/01/09/21/25/1971_dodge_coronet-pic-37744-1600×1200.jpeg
1969-70 Mercury Marauder
Elise
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f94/154006d1285545570-2005-lotus-elise-graphite-grey-hard-top-sport-touring-packages-extras-rear-deck-glass.jpg
In a fine tradition:
http://www.simoncars.co.uk/lotus/thumbs/Lotus%20Europa%20S2%201970%20rear.jpg
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/images/history/Esprit91-95/Sport300-rear.jpg
The Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow. Simultaneously protruding from, and inset into, the roofline.
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pierce-Arrow-Silver-Arrow.jpg
That must be fun to parallel park.
Civic del Sol
http://allstarsandco.com/rear.jpg
Mister two
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800×450/format/jpg/quality/85/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mr2-(450-x-299).jpg
Came here to post this one (well, not this exact, jet-ified one), which I think deserves a special bonus for what looks like really painful-to-make and -fit glass:
http://www.mr2.com/canadam/DandismGlass.jpg
(Interesting how closely this mimics the treatment on the Ferrari 365P submitted by Jim lower down…)
Well, if you’re going to borrow design cues, they might as well be from a ridiculously-rare, pretty prototype from a storied Italian make…(I’d actually never seen the 365P before this thread, but yeah, it is surprisingly similar…)
Detomaso Pantera
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1970-1979/1971-DeTomaso-Pantera-GTS-Red-Rear-st.jpg
512
http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200910/ferrari-512-tr-14_600x0w.jpg
308
http://bestcarmag.com/sites/default/files/9895686ferrari-308-gtb-7.jpg
Acres of glass on the Countach.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Lamborghini_Countach_silver_25_Years_Edition_hl_TCE.jpg
Mercury had the breezeway back window,lowered at the touch of a button.
Also true of the Turnpike Cruiser posted above by 0A5599.
Did not know that.
Sure, but the Monterey’s rear glass was reverse raked, closer to parallel to the wee fins and the rear seat back. This might qualify it for another Encyclopedia Hoonatica subject.
BMW 650i convertible
Quite a bit rarer in convertibles. The Solstice comes to mind
http://www.prestigemobileupholstery.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/upholsterypictures3222008_195.85192844_std.jpg
The 355 Spider had it, as well.
http://www.germanautotops.com/media/ebay/355blue.jpg
Now, to debate whether this counts or not.
http://3-photos.ebizautos.com/used-1960-lincoln-continental_mark_v-convertible-10403-14104045-7-640.jpg
http://www.performance-car-guide.co.uk/images/L-Jaguar-XJS-V12.jpg
A lot of El Caminos.
http://www.xframechevy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1959-wip-aspen-green-with-chromes-rs.jpg
Is that an inset rear window, or just an extended roof? It’s not really inset on the sides…
I chose that pic as a “not flush with the roof profile” example, but you can use this picture instead.
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/08/09/01/06/pic-10642-1600×1200.jpeg
Ferrari 288 GTO .http://www.web-cars.com/images/gto_img/288-gto_rr-vw_a_s.jpg
Chiron.
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/750×422/quality/95/http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/381/561/0/S3815610/slug/l/bugatti-chiron-35-1.jpg
Rearward visibility?
Where we’re going, we don’t need rearward visibility…
http://s3.amazonaws.com/medias.photodeck.com/25b02be6-5baa-11e3-a464-6b41a137dd86/50648-spcar_medium.jpg
Ranchero.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/1979_Ford_Ranchero_rear.jpg
The famous three-seat Ferrari 365P :
http://images.lpcdn.ca/924×615/201408/22/895767-caracteristiques-distinctives-ferrari-365-p.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5t9nN2LYtMk/U9ME0KCscOI/AAAAAAAB3vo/gIvKNuAoY-8/s1600/1966-ferrari-365-p-berlinetta-speciale-auction-001-1-755835.jpg
http://cdn.hiconsumption.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1966-Ferrari-365-P-Berlinetta-Speciale-6.jpg
http://www.racecar.com/uploads/rcnewsimages/treposti.jpg
Does a spine count as a roofline?
http://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Bugatti/Bugatti-57SC_Atlantic-1938-RL_01.jpg
1966-’67 GM A-body 2-doors.
http://cdn.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/49535/49535_Rear_3-4_Web.jpg
http://cdn.pinthiscars.com/images/1967-pontiac-gto-wallpaper-6.jpg
http://cdn.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/81012/81012_Rear_3-4_Web.jpg
http://www.speednik.com/files/2011/08/44.jpg
Not flush with the roof profile, certainly, but does the opposite direction count?
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/1977-Chevrolet-Bel-Air-rear-window.jpg
A lot of mid engine machines qualify including the Europa
http://www.lotus-europa.com/colors/tawney_bronze.jpg
http://www.history-of-cars.com/images/chevrolet/1973-caprice-211-004.jpg
There’s always the 1973 Caprice Coupe.
I thought about this road too – late 60’s Mopars fit the bill quite well, but the windows aren’t recessed, they’re concave.
http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/1968-dodge-dart-gts-440-2.jpg
Ford Anglia, Citroen CX, Citroen Ami, Fiat X1/9
Ferrari Mondial, GTs/4, Citroen C6
Over the years, X1/9s have gone from so cool to sorta daft to so cool in my mind.
A weird one, since it both is and isn’t, Ferrari Superamerica.
http://ag-spots-2014.o.auroraobjects.eu/2014/04/15/ferrari-550-barchetta-pininfarina-c649115042014154236_4.jpg
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2000-2003/2003-Lamborghini-Gallardo-study-r-1280×960.jpg
http://www.autodrome.fr/lamborghini_diablo_vt_titanium_rear2.jpg
Tiny buttresses on Bugatti EB110
http://b.images.boldride.com/bugatti/1994/bugatti-eb-110-gt.2000×1312.Jan-22-2012_15.57.46.380044.jpg
http://www.audiworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/header28.jpg
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/etnsxnbrrmykyozyt8fa.png
Maserati Merak has a lot of holes for windows.
http://barnfinds.com/sites/barnfinds.com/files/imagecache/large/images/1/1979-maserati-merak-ss-flying-buttresses.JPG
Poor forgotten Honda Ridgeline
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Honda_Ridgeline_4WD_Heck.JPG
The extremely adorable Mazda Carol
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Mazda_Carol_360_rear.jpg
Better get this in quickly, as I thought it would have been low hanging fruit.
http://www.simoncars.co.uk/lancia/slides/Lancia%20Beta%20Montecarlo%201977%20rear.jpg
Lancia Monte Carlo
Or Lancia Scorpion in the US
But not the ‘related?’ 037 with it’s flush glass rear window.
https://iedei.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/lancia_037_cutaway1.jpg
Davrian
http://www.classic-kitcars.com/images/imgtxt/700/1273441009-davrian-green3.jpg
Hillman Imp
http://www.imps4ever.info/cars/hillman/imp_deluxe/nwr_677a/nwr_677a-hillman-imp-deluxe-imp12-aug4-2613.jpg
And the estate.
http://tardis.dl.ac.uk/Mercia/Pictures10/imp_estate.jpg
Citroen C6 is slightly inset, with bonus reverse curve.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nJMvRVQcLyA/maxresdefault.jpg
Leyland Atlantean
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Merseyside_PTE_40th_anniversary_event_-_DSC04820.JPG/1280px-Merseyside_PTE_40th_anniversary_event_-_DSC04820.JPG
Daimler Fleetline!
http://www.showbus.co.uk/p2003/ghv78nvud150x.JPG
Leyland Titan!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6112/6286356616_f1201262f6.jpg
A couple from Down Under.
Chrysler Valiant Charger
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Chrysler_VH_Valiant_Charger_RT_of_Mick_Wilson.jpg
Ford Falcon XA-XC Coupe
http://www.brodiebutler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MG_7396.jpg
A lot of inset…
http://bangshift.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/AMX-2.jpg
and a little…
http://www.musclecardrive.com/images/specs_pics/1968amx_rear_red.jpg
and almost none…
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/1974_AMC_Javelin_AMX_black_rear.JPG
and a little…
http://www.musclecardrive.com/images/specs_pics/1968amx_rear_red.jpg
…and almost none.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/1974_AMC_Javelin_AMX_black_rear.JPG
Dick Teague went through a buttress phase in the late 60’s with the AMX and then these two concepts, the Vixen and Cavalier.
Of course on the Cavalier, that inset window and the buttresses were needed to point out which end was the rear…
How about this Lincoln…convertible, no less! 🙂
Squarebird coupes:
http://orig08.deviantart.net/08c0/f/2015/175/a/0/rear_3_4_of_the_first_squarebird_i_saw_up_close_by_hearsesrock427-d8ymzyz.jpg
1967-1968 Mercury Sedans – the rear window could be lowered a couple of inches as an option for a semi-Breezeway effect.
International Harvester Scout 80 Cab Top. Ask me how I know.
https://scoutparts.com/products/photos/red_winner_17_233746.jpg
http://spidercars.net/wp-content/uploads/images/2000-Dodge-Intrepid_19551.jpg
It’s the gentlest of insets, but for whatever reason, it’s the first thing that came to mind.
Dodge picked up the inset window motif again on the Charger as of 2011 (just a little tiny bit; IIRC, slightly more exaggerated on the 2015 body)
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/82393810+w660+h440+q80+cr1+ar0/2015-dodge-charger-srt-hellcat-rear-three-quarter-view-in-motion-3.jpg
Peugeot 406 coupe had this feature as well
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/wiz41z4xu004qtytodu3.jpg
Since it’s an “all-skate”, I’ll stretch it to include the window within a window that is inset, of course only because it opens.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSelu6ARS-g/U-ySW3BKOLI/AAAAAAAABD8/zFcjViG8rO0/s1600/2015-Ford-F-150-Slider-Window-0.jpg
Big Fords from the late ’60s called it the “Sportsroof” apparently, found this while looking for today’s Crapshoot. A nice Galaxie:
http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/attachments/galaxie/12180d1271202238-1969-galaxie-351w-2dr-fastback-img_0201.jpg
A less nice Ford XL
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/XGQAAOSwezVWx00n/$_27.JPG