AUTOMOBILE HAVING RETRACTABLE REAR QUARTER WINDOWS
An automobile includes a body side panel including: a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile; a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pillar; a rear quarter panel attached to the exterior of the body side panel and forming a cavity between the rear quarter panel and the interior panel; and a retractable window disposed between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein the retractable window is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being defined by a roof of the automobile, the first pillar, and the second pillar, and the second position being inside the cavity.
1 - 9 . (canceled)
10 . A method of manufacturing an automobile, the method comprising:
stamping a body side panel comprising:
a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile;
a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; and
an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pillar;
stamping a rear quarter panel;
mounting a retractable window on guides disposed on the first pillar and the second pillar;
mounting a window drive motor in a cavity defined by the body side panel and rear quarter panel; and
affixing the rear quarter panel to the body side panel.
11 . The automobile of claim 10 , wherein the first pillar is a C-pillar, and the second pillar is a D-pillar.
12 . The automobile of claim 10 , wherein the first pillar is a B-pillar, and the second pillar is a C-pillar.
13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
painting the rear quarter panel prior to affixing.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the rear quarter panel is painted in a different color than the body side panel.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
mounting a seal between the body side panel and the retractable window.
16 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of manufacturing an automobile, the method comprising:
forming a single piece body side panel comprising:
a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile;
a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; and
an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pilar;
forming a rear quarter panel separate from the single piece body side panel;
mounting a retractable window on guides disposed on the first pillar and the second pillar; and
affixing the rear quarter panel to the body side panel, wherein a cavity is formed between the rear quarter panel and the single piece body side panel.
22 . The automobile of claim 21 , wherein the first pillar is a C-pillar, and the second pillar is a D-pillar.
23 . The automobile of claim 21 , wherein the first pillar is a B-pillar, and the second pillar is a C-pillar.
24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
painting the rear quarter panel prior to affixing.
25 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
sealing the single piece body side panel.
26 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
mounting a seal between the body side panel and the retractable window.
27 . A method of manufacturing an automobile, the method comprising:
forming a body side panel comprising:
a front support of a rear quarter panel;
a rear support of the rear quarter panel; and
an interior panel connecting the front support and the rear support;
forming a rear quarter panel separate from the body side panel;
affixing the rear quarter panel to the body side panel, wherein a cavity is formed between the rear quarter panel and the single piece body side panel, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a retractable window.
28 . The automobile of claim 27 , wherein the front support is a C-pillar, and the second support is a D-pillar.
29 . The automobile of claim 27 , wherein the front support is a B-pillar, and the second support is a C-pillar.
30 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising:
painting the rear quarter panel prior to affixing.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the rear quarter panel is painted in a different color than the body side panel.
32 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising:
mounting a seal between the body side panel and the retractable window.
33 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising:
routing wiring for a motor of the retractable window through one or more holes in the interior panel.
34 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising:
housing components of a motor of the retractable window in the cavity.