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Fastback

Car culture term

Fastback
Photo: Coolalabright / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

What is Fastback?

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.

Related terms

CoupeMuscle carPony car

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between fastback and hatchback?
A fastback can have either a separate trunk (with a normal trunk lid) or a hatchback opening. The fastback name describes the roof line shape; hatchback specifically describes the rear opening. A car can be both a fastback and a hatchback (the Audi A7), or a fastback with a separate trunk (1967 Mustang fastback).
Is the modern Mustang a fastback?
The current Ford Mustang has a fastback-influenced roof line. Ford has used the term "fastback" in marketing for various Mustang generations. The current car has a sloping roof that continues toward the trunk, but the design integrates with a notchback-style trunk lid. The body style has evolved significantly from the classic 1965-1968 Mustang fastback.
Why are fastbacks aerodynamically efficient?
The continuous slope reduces drag by managing airflow over the rear of the car more effectively than a notchback (where the abrupt roof-to-trunk transition creates drag). However, modern aerodynamic design uses CFD optimization that can produce competitive drag with notchback designs. Fastbacks are not always more aerodynamically efficient than well-designed notchbacks.
Are fastbacks the same as Sportbacks?
Sportback is Audi-specific marketing terminology for fastback designs. Audi A7 / S7 / RS7 are called Sportbacks; they are functionally equivalent to fastbacks. Other manufacturers may use different terms for similar body styles (BMW Gran Coupe, Mercedes CLS).
Are 1960s fastbacks worth more than coupes?
Depends on the specific model. For the Ford Mustang, the 1967-1968 Shelby fastback (Mustang GT500) is more valuable than the equivalent coupe. The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro fastback-style coupes are similarly valued to other body styles. The exact valuation depends on the specific model, condition, and rarity.

Fastback on the blog

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