From Decline to Ascendance: The Thrilling Return of the Notchback in Today's Automotive Landscape

 

Notchback 

The notchback car design has been around for decades and has undergone several changes over the years. This classic body style remains popular even today due to its practicality and stylish looks. Let's take a closer look at the evolution and popularity of the notchback car design.

Early Notchback Designs

Many consider the 1938 Buick Roadmaster as the first true production notchback car. It featured a fastback roofline with a lip or "notch" cut into the rear window. This basic design provided more trunk space while maintaining a sleek profile. Other early notchback designs included various luxury vehicles from Buick, Chrysler, and Dodge during the late 1930s and 1940s. These models established the notchback as a design that blended sportiness with practical cargo capacity.

Golden Era of Notchbacks

The 1950s and 1960s are regarded as the golden era of notchback car design. Almost every major American brand offered at least one notchback model during this time period. Notable examples include the Chevrolet Bel Air, Ford Fairlane, Mercury Monterey, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Plymouth Fury. These full-size vehicles conveyed an image of class and style at an affordable price point. Their horizontal roofline and short rear deck gave a sleek, planted appearance. Advancements in construction also made unibody notchback designs more common.

Rise of Fastbacks and Hatchbacks

As the 1960s progressed, new body styles began overshadowing the notchback. Fastback roof designs with sloping rear windows gained popularity due to their sportier IMAGE. Hatchback designs also provided greater cargo practicality. By the 1970s, most North American vehicles adopted these new body styles. Notchbacks remained available but mainly on lower-priced intermediate models. Luxury marques in other markets like Europe continued producing high-end notchbacks into the next decade as well.

Modern Day Popularity

While less common today, the notchback design has seen a resurgence in popularity among certain enthusiasts. The Toyota Supra, Nissan 300ZX, and various Japanese sports coupes kept the notchback spirit alive through the 1980s and 90s. More recently, models like the Honda Accord Coupe, Ford Taurus, and Hyundai Sonata have refreshed the notchback for mass appeal. Modern technologies have allowed notchbacks to matches fastbacks in terms of exterior proportions while retaining traditional styling trademark like the kick-up of the rear window. Purists also modify newer sports cars into "bride" notchback configurations for a classic custom look. With their vintage charm and practical advantages, notchback designs will likely continue captivating new generations of auto fans.

The Appeal of Notchback Cars

What has kept the notchback design enduring nearly a century after its inception? There are several factors that continue attracting drivers to this body style.

Practicality - With a full-length roof and integrated trunk, notchbacks maximize interior space. Cargo volume is near-hatchback levels.

Proportions - Their horizontal silhouette and short rear deck lend an appearance of stability. This solid, grounded look is favored by many.

Customization - Notchbacks are well-suited for custom modifications. Changes like chopping the roofline produce dramatic alterations.

Nostalgia - Drivers feel a connection to classic cars of the 1950s-1970s that established the notchback as a stylish mainstream design.

Driving Dynamics - Many consider the nearly 50/50 weight distribution of a notchback to produce nimble yet composed handling.

Value - Notchbacks provide the same functionality as other styles at a lower cost. Their simple construction keeps prices affordable.

While new body styles come and go, the Notchback  car continuously proves its lasting appeal. Its practical advantages and nostalgic styling cues have kept it an alluring choice for many drivers seeking a sporty yet refined ride. The notchback legacy shows no signs of disappearing from roads anytime soon.

Reviving a classic: Modern notchback specials

While production notchbacks may be rare these days, some modern takes on the design still captivate enthusiasts. A few notable examples reviving the notchback include:

Toyota Supra - Perhaps the most revered modern notchback, with its linear roofline, short deck, and rear window "kick-up." New models came in 1990s-2020s generations.

Nissan 300ZX - The iconic "Z" carried the notchback torch through the 1980s and 90s. Its low, wide stance embodied sports coupe tradition.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe - Hyundai's affordable R-Spec brought a contemporary notchback to the masses in the late 2000s-early 10s.

Ford Taurus - Later SHO and Police Interceptor models of the 1990s Taurus wagon sported a lifted, truncated notchback roof.

Acura TL - While a four-door, the TL Treatment models of 2004-08 brought a sporty touch to Acura's lineup with a subtle rear deck notch.

Subaru BRZ - While a fixed-roof, the close-coupled BRZ gives a nod to classic Japanese sports coupes like the notchback S30 Fairlady Z.

Civic/Accord Coupes - Modern versions recall the sporty aura of notchback coupes from the 1960s-70s compacts and mid-sizers.

Custom builds and restomods incorporating modern chassis and drivetrains under classic notchback bodies also keep the spirit alive. From daily drivers to track stars, these select new notchbacks demonstrate the timeless allure remains as strong as ever.

The notchback car design has come a long way since its inception in the late 1930s. This classic body style established itself as the archetype for American luxury coupes and family sedans throughout the postwar decades. While superseded by new trends starting in the 1970s, the notchback endured in niche markets and among passionate enthusiasts. Modern revivals showcase how the design ethos translates even to the latest vehicle architectures. Traits like cargo capacity, visual balance and nostalgic aura have sustained notchback appeal for generations. With refined classics, affordable dailys and unforgettable customs, the notchback legacy lives on regardless of production cycles or trends. Its enduring influence ensures this automobile icon will remain revered for decades to follow.

 

 

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