Abstract: An optical system for aiding the driver of a vehicle in judging the proximity of the forward end of the vehicle to an object directly in front of the vehicle, particularly when parking close to a wall or barricade or when pulling up close to another vehicle stopped at an intersection. An illuminated target and a mirror mounted beneath opposite sides of the dashboard are used to reflect an image of the target off the interior surface of the windshield at a location so that the reflected image is in the normal field of view of the driver. A virtual image of the target is perceived by the driver to emanate from a position above the forward end of the vehicle. The driver may gradually advance the vehicle until the virtual image appears to the driver to be juxtaposed with the object at which time there will be a predetermined minimum safe distance between the forward end of the vehicle and the target.

Abstract: An automobile body is provided with a transparent roof panel that slides rearwardly from a normal position in which it closes a roof opening of the body, to a retracted position in which it overlies a rear window of the body. A sunshade mounted below the transparent roof panel is automatically slid rearwardly into a stowed position adjacent a roll bar separating the roof opening and the rear window when the transparent roof is moved to its retracted position. When the transparent roof is in its normal position in which it closes the roof opening, the sunshade may be manually slid back and forth to overlap varying portions of the transparent roof panel.

Abstract: An automobile body is provided that has a front windshield, a rear window and a pair of side panels cooperatively defining a passenger compartment with a roof opening. A transparent roof panel having an area corresponding to that of the roof opening is mounted for generally translatory movement from a normal position in which it covers the roof opening to a retracted position in which the roof opening is uncovered. When the transparent roof panel is in its retracted position it lies either above or below the rear window so that a person seated in the passenger compartment can view in a rearward direction through both the rear window and the transparent roof panel.

Abstract: A dual deck construction for the trunk of a hatchback type automobile. The trunk opening is covered by a hinged two piece liftgate. The rear portion of the liftgate can be opened independently of the front portion to give access to the rear deck portion of the trunk. Alternatively, the entire liftgate can be opened to expose the entire trunk deck.