Abstract: A rear body construction for an automobile vehicle of the type having a door opening at the rear of the vehicle body, has a body element that closes the door opening by way of horizontal and upright walls that form a receptacle that has a topside open toward the exterior of the vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacle has the configuration of a trough (such as found on pick-up trucks) and is constructed so as to be utilized interchangeably with a trunk door (such as a windowed fast-back type hatch) for the purpose of closing the door opening at the rear of the vehicle, the receptacle itself having an upright section that includes a window pane which forms the rear window of the vehicle, even vehicles having front and rear seats.

Abstract: A vehicle body construction which includes at least one vehicle frame member and at least one pane of glass with the at least one pane of glass being arranged so as to extend over the at least one frame member and cover at least a portion of an outside surface thereof. At least one adhesive member is provided for attaching the at least one pane of glass to the frame member. The pane of glass may be inked, shaded or colored at least in the area of the adhesive member so as to conceal the adhesive member from view.