5 Car Window Designs That Dared to Be Different: When Glass Became Art
In the modern automotive world, “glass” is often just a functional necessity—a transparent barrier to keep the wind out and the AC in. Most cars today follow a safe, predictable formula: a rectangular pane that slides up and down. But there was a time when automotive designers treated windows not just as a utility, but as a canvas for radical innovation. Tata Punch Facelift Teased: Launching Jan 13 | New Design & Features Revealed
Whether dictated by extreme aerodynamics, futuristic styling goals, or the mechanical limitations of crazy door designs, some cars dared to break the mold. These weren’t just windows; they were conversation starters, engineering puzzles, and style statements. Tata Sierra vs Renault Duster: The Ultimate SUV Battle – Should You Wait?
At MotorCarVerse, we love it when engineers choose “cool” over “sensible.” Today, we are looking back at 5 iconic car window designs that dared to be different and left a permanent mark on automotive history.
1. The Subaru SVX: The “Aircraft” Canopy
If you grew up in the 90s, you remember the Subaru SVX. It was a car that looked like it landed from a different planet, and its most defining feature was its “window-within-a-window” design.
The Design Logic Subaru wanted the SVX to have a sleek, uninterrupted aerodynamic profile. To achieve this, the designers extended the glass all the way to the roofline, hiding the A-pillars to create a “jet fighter” canopy effect. However, a piece of glass that large and curved simply couldn’t roll down into the door.
The Solution Instead of redesigning the door, Subaru split the window. Only the bottom two-thirds of the glass rolled down, while the upper portion remained fixed. It gave the driver the sensation of piloting a spaceship rather than driving a grand tourer. While it was polarizing at the time, today, the SVX’s split-window design is a cult classic, celebrated for its daring approach to aerodynamics.
2. The DeLorean DMC-12: The “Toll Booth” Cutout
The DeLorean is famous for two things: time travel and Gullwing doors. But have you ever looked closely at the windows?
The Design Logic The iconic Gullwing doors of the DMC-12 possessed a complex, heavy curvature. Because of the extreme shape of the door and the internal mechanism required to lift it, there was simply no space inside the door panel for a full-sized window to retract.
The Solution Giorgetto Giugiaro, the legendary designer, had to compromise. The main glass area was fixed in place, glued directly to the door structure. To allow the driver to pay tolls or grab a parking ticket, a tiny, inset “ticket window” was cut into the larger pane. This small electric cutout was the only part that moved. It might have been a practical nightmare for drive-thru orders, but it added to the car’s industrial, futuristic charm.
3. Lamborghini Countach: The Geometric Split
The Lamborghini Countach is the poster child of excess. It was wide, low, and essentially a wedge of cheese slicing through the air. But this radical shape created a massive headache for window design.
The Design Logic The doors of the Countach, specifically the famous Scissor Doors, curved sharply inward at the top to merge with the roofline. A single piece of glass could not slide down into the door without shattering or hitting the latch mechanism.
The Solution Lamborghini’s solution was to slice the window horizontally (and sometimes vertically in early prototypes). In many production models, the glass was split into two or three distinct sections, with only a small portion actually being movable. It resulted in a “letterbox” effect. You couldn’t see much out of it, and reversing was famously done by sitting on the door sill with the door open—but who cares about visibility when the car looks this good?
4. Citroën SM: The Wraparound Greenhouse
Citroën has never done “normal,” and the SM coupe from the 1970s is a prime example of their avant-garde philosophy.
The Design Logic The Citroën SM was built to be the ultimate Grand Tourer—fast, comfortable, and aerodynamic. The designers wanted to minimize wind noise and drag coefficient (Cd).
The Solution They created a stunning, seamless “glasshouse.” The rear side windows and the rear windshield were designed to look like a continuous wrap-around piece of glass, separated only by the thinnest of pillars. The glass tapered aggressively towards the rear, following the car’s teardrop shape. This didn’t just look spectacular; it gave the SM superior aerodynamics compared to almost anything else on the road at the time. It remains one of the most elegant applications of automotive glass in history.
5. McLaren F1: The High-Performance Porthole
The McLaren F1 wasn’t just a car; it was an obsession with weight saving and speed. Every gram mattered, and heavy electric window motors were seen as unnecessary baggage.
The Design Logic Designer Gordon Murray was adamant about keeping the F1 as light as possible. Furthermore, the Dihedral doors (which opened upwards and outwards) had a complex internal structure that left no room for a window regulator mechanism.
The Solution The F1 featured a split-window design similar to the DeLorean but executed with racing precision. The main window was fixed, and only a small section of the glass could be manually latched open or closed. It was barely enough to pass a slip of paper through, let alone a fast-food bag. But for a car that held the world speed record for over a decade, the sacrifice was well worth it. It reinforced the idea that this was a race car for the road, not a luxury cruiser.
Conclusion: When Form Meets Function
Looking back at these designs, it is clear that they were products of their time—an era when engineers were willing to sacrifice convenience for the sake of speed, style, or sheer “wow” factor.
Today, safety regulations and standard manufacturing processes have made window designs more uniform. We have reliable power windows in every car, from budget hatchbacks to luxury SUVs. But these five cars remind us of a time when the window was more than just a piece of glass; it was a statement that said, “We dared to do it differently.”
Which one is your favorite? The spaceship vibes of the Subaru SVX or the raw exoticism of the Countach? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQ
1. Which car had the first panoramic roof?
The 1955 Citroën DS is widely credited with introducing the first true panoramic roof, a continuous glass panel that stretched from the windshield to the rear.
2. Did any of these cars feature early ADAS technology?
Both the Mercedes‑Benz 300SL and Saab 900 experimented with primitive driver‑assist cues, such as lane‑keeping indicators and a prototype night‑vision system.
3. Are bubble windows still used in modern cars?
While not common on production models, bubble‑style glass appears in concept cars and limited‑edition supercars to create a futuristic aesthetic.
4. How did the DeLorean’s gull‑wing windows affect safety?
The hinged glass added structural complexity but also provided a larger opening for egress, which some safety testers praised.
5. Which of these designs influenced today’s EV roofs?
The Citroën DS’s panoramic roof directly inspired the full‑glass roofs seen on the Tesla Model S, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Mercedes EQS.
6. Did any of these cars use turbo‑petrol engines?
The Saab 900 featured a turbo‑charged 2.0‑liter inline‑four, making it a classic example of turbo‑petrol performance combined with innovative window design.
7. Are there aftermarket kits to replicate these windows?
Specialty shops offer retrofit kits for gull‑wing doors and panoramic roofs, but they require extensive bodywork and may affect vehicle warranty.
8. How do modern ADAS sensors interact with unconventional glass shapes?
Manufacturers calibrate cameras and LiDAR around unique glass contours to avoid distortion, ensuring reliable lane‑keeping and obstacle detection.
9. Which model had the most expensive original MSRP?
The Lamborghini Countach debuted at around $120,000, making it the priciest of the five when adjusted for inflation.
10. Can these window designs improve fuel efficiency?
Yes. Aerodynamically shaped glass reduces drag, which can enhance fuel economy—an advantage that modern hybrid and turbo‑petrol cars continue to leverage.
Stay tuned to MotorCarVerse for more deep dives into the quirky history of the automotive world!
