The A To D of Car Pillars

A sideways look at the car

1. The A to D of Car Pillars
A sideways look at the car

2. Introduction to the A-Pillar
An A-pillar is a name applied by car
stylists and enthusiasts to the shaft
of material that supports the
windshield (windscreen) on either of
the windshield frame sides.

By denoting this structural member
as the A-pillar, and each successive
vertical support in the greenhouse
after a successive letter in the
alphabet (B-pillar, C-pillar etc.), this
naming scheme allows those
interested in car design to have
points of reference when discussing
design elements.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillar_(car)
Graphic shows common pillars in sedan, coupe
and wagon (or SUV car formats

3. A-Pillars
The A-pillar along with the C-pillar
are the most stylistically interesting
for car fans. The A-pillar is in many
ways the equivalent of the a human
neck line, where the face for the car
flows in to the body.

The other notable aspect of the A-
pillar is how it is integrated with the
lines of the hood.

4. B-Pillars
The B-pillar play a key role providing
strength to the midsection of the
vehicle. Many sportier cars tend to
not have a B-pillar present.

The E class family from Mercedes
(opposite) shows how the placement
and treatment of the B-pillar has
remained unchanged through seven
generations.

5. C-Pillars
The C-pillar is often the most heavily
leveraged pillar from a styling
perspective.

BMW has made the C-pillar their
own with their distinctive curved C-
pillar called the Hoffmeister kick that
appears in some format in all of their
cars.

Coupes also rely heavily on the C-
pillar to create streamlines
shapes. One of the most iconic is
from the Ford Mustang.

6. D-Pillars
D-pillar really is the end of the line, in
many ways this pillar is designed for
the necessity to house the rear door
in a wagon or SUV.

7. How many Pillars?
The VW Bus is a great example of
perhaps one too many pillars almost
as many as the ABC...