The three window coupé (commonly just "three-window") is a style of automobile

Automobile

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...

 characterized by two side windows and a backlight. The style was popular from the 1920s until the beginning of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. While many manufacturers produced three window coupés, the 1932 to 1936 Ford

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...

 is a particular favorite of hot rod

Hot rod

Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...

ders. The three window coupé has a distinct difference from the five-window coupé, which has an additional window on each side.

Chopped top

One of the most popular modifications is a "chopped top". The trend began in the 1950s, and is not limited to three-windows by any means. It involves cutting the window pillars and removing a section to lower the roof height, to make the car look better (in the opinion of the customizer). The process requires new glass, relocation of upper door hinges, and raked (tilted back) A-pillars to meet the roof of the car.

Other modifications

Common modifications to include removing or changing fenders, hidden door hinge

Hinge

A hinge is a type of bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. Two objects connected by an ideal hinge rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components...

s, removed ("shaved") door handle

Door handle

A door handle is an attached mechanism used to open or close a door. In the United States, door handle can refer to any fixed or lever-operated door latch device, including on car doors. The term door knob tends to refer to round operating mechanisms.-History:The first documented invention of the...

s (to allow for solenoid

Solenoid

A solenoid is a coil wound into a tightly packed helix. In physics, the term solenoid refers to a long, thin loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core, which produces a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it. Solenoids are important because they can create...

-operated systems to unlatch the doors at the touch of a button), removed running boards, side-mounted exhaust system

Exhaust system

An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...

s (Lakes pipes), or dual exhaust which incorporate one set of pipes under the car with mufflers to allow street approved performance and noise levels, and a cut-out in the main system for side pipes that have no muffler

Muffler

A muffler is a device for reducing the amount of noise emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. A US Patent for an Exhaust muffler for engines was granted to Milton and Marshall Reeves in 1897....

s and may incorporate "glasspacks" which is a tube filled with fibreglass that increases the volume and changes the pitch of the engine's roar.

See also

• Custom car
  Custom car
  A custom car is a passenger vehicle that has been modified in either of the following two ways. First, a custom car may be altered to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission. Second, a custom car may be a personal "styling" statement, making the car look...
  
  
• Hot rod
  Hot rod
  Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
  
  
• Ford Model B
  Ford Model B (1932)
  The Model B was a Ford automobile with production starting with model year 1932 and ending with 1934. It was a much updated version of the Model A and was replaced by the 1935 Ford Model 48...
  
  , the classic Deuce