A body style with a continuously sloping rear roof line that extends to the trunk lid or rear hatch. Common in classic muscle cars and modern sport coupes.
Fastback is a body style where the rear roof line slopes continuously and gradually to the trunk lid or rear hatch, creating a distinctive aerodynamic profile. The style differs from a notchback (where the roof line drops sharply to a separate trunk) and from a hatchback (where the roof line continues to integrate with a rear hatch opening). The fastback term was popularized in the 1960s with American muscle car design.
Classic fastback examples include the Ford Mustang fastback (1965-1968, the Bullitt and various Shelby variants), the Chevrolet Camaro fastback design (1967-1969 first generation), the Plymouth Barracuda fastback (1965), and various other 1960s pony cars. The body style was iconic in this era and is closely associated with American muscle car design.
Modern fastback design appears in various sport coupes and sport sedans. The Audi A7 / S7 / RS7 are sometimes called fastbacks (also called Sportback in Audi marketing). The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe fits the format. The Tesla Model S is essentially a fastback sedan with a notable hatchback opening. The styling has remained influential in automotive design due to its aerodynamic and visual appeal.