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The Auto Body:
Body Types
Sedan
 Sedans have front and rear seating for four-six passengers and come in both the 2 and 4 door variety. In addition, they have center body pillars located immediately behind the two front doors. Body pillars add strength and support to the frame.
Convertible
Due to design considerations, convertibles lack door pillars, instead, additional support is built into the floor pan and frame. Convertible tops can be raised and lowered either manually or with an electric switch and come in both durable cloth or vinyl. While it is rare to see a 4 door convertible, they do exist
Hatchback
 Hatchbacks came into prominence in the 1970s in the wake of spiraling oil prices when fuel economy became increasingly important to consumers. Hatchback designs feature a large combination rear door and trunk that is ideal for hauling large items and provides easy access to the rear. Hatchback designs come in both three or five door designs.
Station wagon
Auto manufacturers have recently started incorporating design features of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) into station wagon designs. The updated lines and features afford consumers a sportier wagon without sacrificing fuel economy of basic functionality.
The popularity of wagons tend to ebb and flow over time with designs as diverse as Ford’s 1949 Woody Wagon to the hybrid designs of today.
Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
Sport Utility Vehicle’s can trace their heritage to the success of the basic Army Jeep in World War II and the popularity of Willy’s Jeep Wagon in the late 1940s. At about the same time Britain’s Land Rover began production. In 1970s Land Rover began developing a higher end, more luxury conscience utility vehicle, called the Range Rover. Modern SUV’s combine the heartiness of a truck with the comfort of a passenger car.
Sport Utility Vehicles are frequently equipped with four wheel drive and as well as feature a taller body design.
Truck
 The modern pickup truck can be traced as far back as the Dodge Brothers’ 1917 Commercial Car. Today pickup trucks are modified as low riders with neon lights or are jacked up as Monster Trucks or a basic farm truck. A lot has changed since then, but not the American love affair with one of the most basic and enduring symbols of rugged independence.
Van
Future Car Designs
 Futuristic auto designs may well take advantage of light weight but durable space-age composite materials. Future auto designs may change dramatically as the combustion engine becomes a thing of the past and hydrogen or electric engines become standard and the traditional engine compartment size requirements and overall vehicle weight is reduced. Lighter weight vehicles may place an emphasis on sleek lines that cut through the air and increase fuel economy may also designs. |
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Glossary
Article Pages
1. Auto Body
3. Construction Materials
4. Frame Construction
5. Major Body Parts
6. Interior
7. Restraint Systems
8. Glass
9. Auto Body Repair
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