Encyclopedia Hoonatica: Car Windows that are Virtually Useless….
I know this is a little picky, but when did car styling involve adding windows in places that make them almost useless to see out of? One of the more egregious examples was the last Toyota Matrix, in which the windows that are placed on the “C” pillar have no purpose whatsoever. There seems to be a lot more of these styling exercises, and I really can’t place the reasoning for it.
See if you can come up with more useless window placements, and don’t limit your choices to rear placement, as there are a multitude of small triangular ones that are being used in Suzukis and Hondas on the “A” pillar.
And as always, read through first and avoid duplicate answers.
DIFFICULTY: It’s only difficult if you don’t pay attention.
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After my brief week with the car, I can now confidently say: the Lexus IS convertible.
<img src="http://japancarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lexus-is-convertible-4.jpg">
Learn how to use "width=500", please.
Seriously, why does it even have glass… <img src="http://www.toyotaoffroad.com/Articles/Toyota/2007_FJCruiser/12-05_Images/07_fj_cruiser08.jpg" width=400>
and lets not forget <img src="http://www.hummerguy.net/wp-content/BlackOutHummerH2001.jpg"> it's like driving a friggin pill box.
The Ford Aerostar had these little windows, I guess they were faux vent windows, anyway, you could only see out of them if you placed your head directly over the dash.
Yes, yes it did indeed… work prevented me from answering this before you did, but I'll add an image for everyone's enjoyment
<img src="http://www.aerostarpart.com/images/top-ford-aerostar.jpg">
<img src="http://www.houstoncars.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/WindowsLiveWriter/2006Nissan350ZReviewAutobytel_117B4/2006-Nissan-350Z%5B2%5D.jpg">
You can't even see the rear quarter windows from the driver's seat if you turn around.
For some strange reason, the 1992-1999 GM H-bodies and 1991-1997 C-bodies have fixed triangular glass panes in the front doors. It would be logical for these to be vent windows that could be opened but they're not – not even as an option.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/1992-96_Buick_LeSabre.jpg/800px-1992-96_Buick_LeSabre.jpg" width="500/">
Gorgeous car overall, but with quarter windows just a couple inches long, why even bother? Why not make it more like the '70-'81 F-body?
<img src="http://www.redlinespoilers.com/images/1967-Cadillac-Eldorado750.gif" width="750" height="398" />
<img src="http://www.clevelandleader.com/files/honda-fit.jpg">
Honda Fit the the biggest offender for me. Not only are they functionless, they are hard as hell to apply window tint.
The Yaris has the little window in the door itself. leaving a big hunk of black plastic in the A pillar.
There are pics, I cannot be bothered.
Also, Toyota Previa. Stupid ass name too!
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Toyota_Previa_.jpg" width=586.5 height=372>
The corresponding window of the GM Dustbuster vans, on the other hand, was absolutely essential.
<img src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/oldsmobile-cars-14.jpg"/>
That's because the dash was 6 feet deep.
Hard to argue that any window is completely useless. All of them at least let a little more light into the cabin, even if they do nothing for visibility.
I know the 4th gen F-body convertibles desperately needed a rear quarter window, but did without.
Not all of them even let more light in the cabin. Some let more light into…the exterior of the car?
<img src="http://www.mrmikes.com/images/imagestcrear.jpg" Width="500">
Vauxhall Corsa. In fact, loads of little euro-hatches have these daft front quarter windows that serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever.
<img src="http://blogs.menmedia.co.uk/old/that_petrol_emotion/VauxhallCorsaSRI.jpg" width="500">
Cab forward, you have much to answer for.
This one is important and useless:
<img src="http://www.lambojack.com/Countach%20from%20the%20Rear.jpg" width="500" />
Exactly, I was under the impression that the Italians weren't all that concerned with what was behind them.
Citroen BX. Some models of BX had windows on the C-Pillar, others didn't. Those that did were blessed by a dark tinted slice of perspex which did nothing but increase the temperature of the passenger compartment. And leak.
<img src="http://www.meinekarre.de/cars/Citroen_BX_19_TRS_big_lebowski.jpg" width="500">
Bloody horrible car.
[rant] My sister-in-law had a 1st gen Matrix. I drove it once and I didn't absolutely hate it. That's the best I can say about it. I had to drive one of these new Matrix cars in FL for a rental because they ran out of everything else. You can't see squat out of it and the blind spots are the size of Texas. Throttle tip in was nonexistent until 2/3 the way down, then it torque steered into the next lane. Transmission shifted to 3rd after wringing out 1st gear. Acceleration stopped at that point until you pushed the pedal through the firewall, with the tranny banging back down into first, reaching for the redline. I absolutely hate that car. I ran that POS into every curb I could find to do as much non-visible damage as possible. I will NEVER buy a Toyota product based on my 2 days with a Matrix. [/rant]
My families' 03 XRS is still a great drive. Windows are fully functional.
See the little triangular window? In my day they opened. Why don't they open now?
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/cars/1/0/j/j/ag_07versa_interior.jpg" width="500" />
agreed, pointless.
If it were not there, I'd put in a tweeter for my stereo. just about at the right level for that. :/
It's not entirely useless from the factory, but Ford will sell you the parts to take it all the way…
<img src="http://www.fordvehicles.com/resources/ford/mustang/2011/accessories/mst11_acc_gtcpapp1.jpg" width="500"/>
The Honda Fit has little triangles ahead of the door frame that do nothing. Nothing!
I'm a big a Saab fan (still have not forgiven GM) but did these 99s really need 10 windows?
<img src="http://www.saabhistory.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/99_5_door_6001.jpg">
Do opera windows count? Not very functional as a window but they do serve a purpose for styling.
Example, 1973 Dodge Charger
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/1973_Dodge_Charger_SE_opera_windows.jpg" width="600">
The 1977-1979 Thunderbird has that tiny B-pillar window which isn't of much use.
<img src="http://www.inwthunderbird.org/77_tbird_champagne/77_tbird_cham2.jpg" width=500>
<img width=500 src="http://www.dieselrebuildparts.com/images/construction-equipment/semi-trucks/international/international-semi-tractor-right-side-from-rear_249_640x783.jpg" >
I always wondered about the back window of a tractor truck. Theoretically it would never be driven without a trailer (because that's how it pays off the boss), in which case it is completely useless. Unless you don't trust your fifth wheel lock.
Ever seen a flatbed trailer? Semis don't always pull boxes…
Good point, and the same to dwegmull. So then the question becomes: why don't all tractors come with back windows?
My guess is that truck customers who buy sleepers would rather forego the benefits of the window so that they have a darker sleeper compartment with more privacy, while with a day-cab the truck makers carry over their straight-truck cab for lower costs so you get a window whether you need it or not.
I think it would come in handy in two cases: while hitching a trailer and for keeping an eye on the operation of a dump body.
Ever try to look out the last window on one of these…it's there…but I sure as hell can't see out of it. The d(?) pillar in front of it sticks out SO far.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Audi_A3_2.0T.jpg/800px-Audi_A3_2.0T.jpg">
a little point-counter point here….
I hope we can all agree that all 23 windows are required in this application:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Samba%281%29.jpg/220px-Samba%281%29.jpg">
Yes. Yes they are.
no argument there what-so-ever!
I always thought this window was ugly and pointless.
<img src="http://image.automobilemag.com/f/multimedia/photo_gallery/8108857+w1024+h768+st0/0712_08z_1024x768+2009_chevrolet_corvette_ZR1+hood_window.jpg" width="600">
Stupid pointless windows, meet the Subaru SVX.
What's that, you've already met?
<img src="http://trueslant.com/dallegro/files/2009/05/subaru-svx.jpg" width="600">
Sure you can see out, but how do you fit a Rt. 44 Iced Tea through that?
1978-88 GM A/G body 4 door back windows. They did not roll down. at all. No mechanism, nothing. All there was was a vent wing. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thu…
Even better, the '78-'79 models didn't even have the wing vents. Instead, they had extra useless, flip-out quarterlights in the C-pillars, back where nobody can reach them. What a brilliant idea on a family car that came standard with vinyl seats and without air conditioning.
My dad still talks about how irritated he was when he found out that the windows in his new '79 Malibu Classic didn't roll down. It also didn't help that it drove like a 5 year old car when it was brand new, either.
The oval opera windows on the Lincoln Continental Mark series. There were all goofy, but the Mark VI takes the prize, especially in sedan form. Actually, I don't think there's a ridiculous styling feature that's not present on this car.
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2496…
Betweeb the C and D pillars on the 1st and 2nd gen ford taurus
http://futureblog.designhotels.com/wp-content/upl…
<img src="http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/mustangtuning/crides000001.JPG" style="width: 800px; height: 600px; border: 0" alt="imgTag" />
ALL the windows.
El Camino:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Black_El_Camino_SS_fr.jpg" width="500">