Earlier today, Lotte brought up the distinctly similar wraparound window treatments on the Scorpio and the Sable. This got me thinking about two GM offerings that were not only similarly similar to each other, but also had the same “stealth” C-pillar treatment.
So, your Hoonatica project for today is name other car designs had this wraparound greenhouse styling, in which the C-pillar (or C and D-pillar, for wagons) was either literally hidden behind smoked glass, or slimmed down, blacked-out and separated with trim pieces from the roof and body side to make it virtually disappear.
By Peter Tanshanomi
Tanshanomi is Japanese [単車のみ] for "motorcycle(s) only." Though primarily tasked with creating two-wheel oriented content for Hooniverse, Pete is a lover of all sorts of motorized vehicles.
Robert Crespo 
Jeff Glucker 
Kamil Kaluski
GM didn't put stealth C-pillars on just Oldsmobiles and Saturns. The VQ, VR and VS series Holden Statesman/Caprice featured it.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Holden_VQ_Caprice_1.jpg" width="500" />
"Steath" A, C, and D pillars!!!
<img src="http://images04.olx.com/ui/1/12/27/11830527_1.jpg">
It's still being done…
<img src="http://www.auto-spy.biz/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Nissan-cube1.jpg" width=400>
Bonus points for only 1 D pillar being blacked out!
Or maybe just half-credit.
The DS had a curved rear glass, but did not hid the rear pillars. The reimagined DS3 has them smoked and covered though.
<img src="http://www.yosax.com/car_images/citroen-ds-inside-concept-image.jpg">
Ford Probe:
<img src="http://www.carsguide.com.au/images/uploads/Ford-Probe-1996-1LR.jpg">
Ford Explorer:
<img src="http://gallery.carreview.com/data/car/555/medium/ford_explorer_26.jpg" width="400">
<img src="http://tyranno.saur.us/cache/2007/April/17/subaru_svx_red_side_39994.jpg" width=500>
Despite the fact they weren't all that fast and only came in autotragic I still want one.
That is all
<img src="http://media.motortopia.com/files/9517/vehicles/47d69d300ab5c/IMG00158.jpg" width=500>
Well played, sir.
<img src="http://nicejaguarpics.info/pictures/car/images/21/jaguar-xj-11blk-usa-opta.jpg"/>
New Jag XJ has a weird hidden pillar/obvious chrome window trim combo.
<img src="http://www.gizmodiva.com/entry_images/0806/14/24-2007-mini-cooper-s-mk-2-ii.jpg"/>
New Minis have stealth every-pillars!
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/wrap-around-wrong.jpg" width="500">
Seriously, that Jag c-pillar is bad enough that it alone would keep me from buying the car (as if I would ever be part of their target demographic).
It looks cool like this though:
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Lrqev7CakfE/TRYnKMDkXCI/AAAAAAAAAcY/DgkAqJSHlaM/s1600/2011-jaguar-xj_100180382_l.jpg" width="600">
If only you parked it under your glass living room floor.
A, B, C, and D:
<img src="http://image.trucktrend.com/f/crossovers/hit-or-miss-the-2009-ford-flex/10014631/2009-ford-flex-top-rear-view.jpg" width="400">
I only know about this one because it got posted to the 5-door comments.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/1994-2000_Citroën_XM_hatchback_01.jpg/800px-1994-2000_Citroën_XM_hatchback_01.jpg" width=500>
While the GM clamshell wagons didn't entirely do away with the hefty D-pillar, they hid most of it along with the rear window rail by wrapping the glass around to a fairly thin piece of chrome.
<img src="http://www.linwoodstreet.com/stratton/1976BuickEstateWagonClamshellTailgate.jpg" width=400>
I was thinking something very similar:
<img src="http://www.love-fords.org/images/john/1960-mercury-colony-park.jpg">
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2628134539_762324f67a.jpg">
No C pillar
<img src="http://www.imcdb.org/i001049.jpg" width=500>
Concealed D Pillar, other pillars visible
<img src="http://image.trucktrend.com/f/28926797/2011-GMC-Yukon-XL-Denali-rear.jpg" width=500>
Come on people, right answer to every question right here:
<img src="http://autocrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/honda-nsx-12.jpg">
Nope. The pillar is just painted black – it's not covered by glass.
<img src="http://www.dragtimes.com/images/3143-2003-Acura-NSX.jpg" width=400>
The 35th Anniversary Corvette used the same trick.
<img src="http://px6.streetfire.net/0001/60/25/1300652_600.jpg" width=400>
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3597560101_db400e4324.jpg">
I think this fits into the "separated with trim pieces from the roof and body side" category.
<img src="http://images.canadianlisted.com/nlarge/1958-edsel-citation_4743545.jpg" width="400">
It definitely is not body-colored.
The '59-'60 GM flattops barely even had a C-pillar.
<img src="http://www.plan59.com/images/JPGs/cad59grnbrn.jpg" width=400>
<img src="http://www.otofrenzy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-Nissan-Quest-Rear-Angle-View.jpg" width="600"/>
Not sure if this counts, but 3rd gen Dodge Dakota Club Cabs had a piece of black vinyl over the B-Pillar to blend the windows together
<img src="http://db.theautochannel.com/db/images/2000150116.jpg">
If the Hooniverse category were "Stealth B-Pillars" I think you'd have a credible example.
poof
Well than, Take 2nd Gen Chevy S10 Blazer and S15 Jimmy
<img src="http://images.dealerrevs.com/gallery/photo.php?id=42416492" width="500">
Floating roof FTW!
<img src="http://www.drivearabia.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/2010-range-rover-4-450.jpg">
<img src="http://www.nextcar.com.au/i.mercedes.aclass.piccadilly.04apr.jpg" width=500>
Mercedes A-class
<img src="http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3379/reargl3.jpg" width=500>
Some 2G Eclipse/Talons.
<img src="http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/2/34a605e5550304248cfdb1aaec9c4bd2.jpg" width=500>
whatever generation of Galant this is.
<img src="http://www.starion.me/images/starion3.jpg">
Mitsubishi Starion/ Chrysler Conquest
<img src="http://www.web2carz.com/images/nctd/99mitsu3000tgt.jpg" width=500>
Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT
<img src="http://www.productioncars.com/send_file.php/nissan_leopard_turbo_silver_black_1981.jpg">
Nissan Leopard
<img src="http://www.200sx.lv/forum/files/thumbs/t_nissan_nx_21_1983_654.jpg">
Nissan NX-21
<img src="http://carsmedia.ign.com/cars/image/article/792/792910/review-subaru-legacy-25-gt-limited-wagon-20070530044005063.jpg" width=500>
multiple Subaru Legacies.
<img src="http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/289/2761/25721380017_large.jpg" width=500>
Subaru XT6
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/1999_Holden_Suburban_K8_1500_LS_%28Rear_view%29_1.jpg" width=500>
GMT400 Suburbans (and Blazers)
<img src="http://www.chevrolet2010.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/2009-chevrolet-trailblazer-pics.jpg" width=500>
Chevrolet Trailblazer
<img src="http://www.leblogauto.com/images/ferrari_456_gta_venice_break.jpg">
Ferrari 456 Venice.
<img src="http://www.weheart.co.uk/upload-images/modulo1.jpg">
Ferrari Modulo. It's in there somewhere. Probably.
<img src="http://www.karamfamily.ca/uploads/2/9/0/5/2905865/7125534_orig.jpg">
On the same theme, I can't find any part of this car I'd describe as 'c-pillar'.
<img src="http://www.carpages.co.uk/ferrari/ferrari_images/ferrari-599-side-14-10-07.jpg">
Ferrari 599. This depends on if you count the flying buttress.
<img src="http://www.rossvw.com/vw/pics/93intrepid.jpg">
first generation Intrepids.
<img src="http://cdn2.worldcarfans.co/2009/2/medium/citroen-c-sportlounge-concept-2005_25.jpg" width=500>
Citroen C-SportLounge
<img src="http://image.off-roadweb.com/f/9547115+w750+st0/0802or_04_z+1993_isuzu_rodeo_off_road_unsung_hero+mashes_spinning_tires.jpg" width=500>
Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport.
If we allow the A-Class, I'll also point to the Smart and Smart Roadster.
And the 599 would be better represented by the new GTO.
The early CR-V gave the impression that the taillight was holding up the back corners of the roof.
<img src="http://user.image.nlclassifieds.com/1238360003741_p1030908_resized.jpg" width="500"/>
As did the GM "dustbuster" vans.
<img src="http://images.usedcheapcars.org/used-pontiac/1996-pontiac-trans-sport-pontiac-2-8l-5-cylinder-ffs-mpfi-4-speed-automatic/1990-96-Pontiac-Trans-Sport-90129281990713-ucc.jpg" width=400>
Here's a first-generation Fiat Punto to add to this group:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Fiat_Punto_rear_20071204.jpg/800px-Fiat_Punto_rear_20071204.jpg" width=600>
All three generations of Volvo V70 appeared this way from the rear, as well, but all had D-pillars visible in profile. Close, but not close enough.
*hoonnibbles rescue attempt…*
I'll have an '85-89 Celica, please
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/1987-1989_Toyota_Celica_%28ST162%29_SX_liftback_02.jpg" width=450>
And a cheeky Peugeot 306 SW before I go to bed.
<img src="http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/fire/dsc02038.jpg" width=450>
Night night.
shameless plug time!!
I wrote about the Gen 4 celica, its greenhouse, and its reference to the Panhard 24 on my site autofrei.wordpress.com: http://autofrei.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/1986-toy…
<img src="http://autofrei.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/p3145097.jpg?w=640&h=154" width="500">
alfa 145
<img src="http://img2.netcarshow.com/Alfa_Romeo-145_1997_1024x768_wallpaper_05.jpg" width="500">
(there should be at least one alfa in every post)
There are so many examples…have a '57 Bel Air! Modern cars seem to have purges this design cue, so you don't see much anymore.
<img src="http://images.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/stolen57belair_05_resized.jpg" width="500">
Alfa Romeo SZ
<img src="http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/AlfaRomeoSZ.jpg" width="500">
Marcos Mantis XP
<img src="http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/MarcosMantisXP.jpg" width="500">
Koreas best ponycar had them…
<img src="http://www.uneedapart.com/images/hyundai-scoupe-parts.jpg">
Early 90's Corolla Liftback was a MUCH more upscale looking car than it's predecessor.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/1991_Toyota_Corolla_%28AE94%29_CS_Limited_Seca_liftback_01.jpg" WIDTH="500">
Korea's best what?
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3463680474_0a4c767649.jpg">
(pictured in it's natural environment)
Interesting. Toyota didn't sell that generation of liftback in the US in their own dealers, but GM sold it as the Geo Prizm.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Geo-Prizm-hatchback-2.jpg/800px-Geo-Prizm-hatchback-2.jpg" width="400/">
There's a pillar missing, but I'm not sure which one it is . . .
<img src="http://www.niot.net/saveas/20913/large/" width="500">
I believe the Lancia Delta III's rear quarters follow the letter, if not the spirit, of this question. It's essentially, from the rear, a dwarf Murano with a barely-'floating' roof:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Lancia_Delta_III_rear_20100515.jpg/800px-Lancia_Delta_III_rear_20100515.jpg" width="600/">
Okay, that one barely counts, so here's a Fiat Stilo MultiWagon (the 3- and 5-door hatchbacks have painted rear pillars):
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Fiat_Stilo_Multiwagon-ty%C5%82.JPG/795px-Fiat_Stilo_Multiwagon-ty%C5%82.JPG" width="600/">
The Suzuki SX/4 (and the European-market Fiat Sedici – this is an entirely Italocentric comment) would seem to count as much as the GMT-400/800/900 Tahoe/Suburban/Yukons do, as their D-pillars are obscured but C-pillars are body-colour:
<img src="http://www.kaancan.co.cc/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Suzuki-SX4-4.jpg" width="600/">
<img src="http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Fiat-Sedici_mp21_pic_29921.jpg" width="600/">
With all the LHF taken, I present to you the Ssangyong Rodius.
<img src="http://www.autospecifications.org/car-reviews/wp-content/uploads/ssangyong-rodius.jpg">
And the early Corvair 4 door
<img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlq7_3CZ6tEsmalM1XQUEI-zC1y2AYx7JRNYaypBmfAPJpHFFDEg&t=1">
<img src="http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/43/23/5114023_1.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.krenekrv.com/used/pics/1398_01.jpg" width="500/">
Some Ram vans used glass to wrap around the rear corners, while some GMs used the side windows to hide intermediate pillars.
That car is from my home town!
Stealth wrap around C-Pillars are much, much less awkward than stealth reach around c-pillars.
Less jail time too.
Not the most creative, but the Saturn Coupe of that era, the SC2, had them as well. In addition to being a damn good car. <img src="http://www.saturnctr.com/saturn-sc2-1994/saturn-lead.jpg" height="200px">
I tried so hard to remember the name of this thing:
<img src="http://www.carpages.co.uk/citroen/citroen-images/citroen_c3_pluriel_28_04_06.jpg">
It's the 'not very good' Citroen C3 Pluriel. It's not really a convertible, the roof is canvas and the roof rails/c-pillars are removable. So you can take them off and hide them. Thus 'stealth'. Haha! That was totally worth waiting 5 weeks for.