In Memorium: Pillarless Coupes

WHAT DO the Mercedes-Benz SLC, BMW Z3M Coupe and an early Porsche 911 Targa have in common? Answer: they are all coupes based on a cabrio (okay, the 911 Targa is a coupe based on a cabriolet based on a coupe, but if I had only mentioned the BMW and Mercedes I could be accused of favouritism).

I only noticed the connexion between the SLC and the M Coupe after I had purchased them. I think part of the appeal must be solution-based design, rather than aesthetic over-reaching, lending a quirk of rational to an otherwise emotive process. Because so many parts must be shared to keep costs down, the designer has limited options to give the coupe its own personality. Bread-van proportions did the trick for the BMW; Mercedes used lamellae windows and Porsche a bold roll-hoop with wrap-around glass. On bodies that were already familiar, details made the cars memorable.

Today it is hard to contemplate a coupe not having a bespoke bodyside. This reflects the increasing value of design as a critical factor at point of purchase, and the subsequent willingness to invest. But cash still stops flowing as soon as chopping the B-pillar is mentioned. Since the E9, BMW has tended not to bother (although the 8-series is a welcome exception), whereas Mercedes, CLK aside, always makes the effort, imbuing their coupes with the desirable 'pillarless' billing. Does this have anything to do with why their mean transaction price (the measure of premiumness) is higher?

Funny, isn't it, how something so small can make such a difference. That is why Mazda went to such efforts with the delightful 1983 929 Coupe, aka Cosmo. Quite apart from the right-angled geometry of the lines, Mazda effectively made the first split B-pillar, within which the glass descended! I can't think of a smaller window aperture post-quarterlight days. It is a bit mad, yet the car remains appealingly memorable. It is far from pillarless (it has two!) but at least Mazda took steps to ensure it wasn't just another fixed pane. If they had, I wouldn't be writing about it here. 

Collectors alert: There's one for sale here