{"id":35472,"date":"2026-02-23T09:28:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T09:28:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=35472"},"modified":"2026-02-23T09:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T09:28:54","slug":"car-body-types-identification-explanation-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/car-body-types-identification-explanation-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Car Body Types – Identification, Explanation & History"},"content":{"rendered":"

Words Born from Horse & Carriage<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Understanding the various car body types, old and new, can be confusing. The history behind some of these terms is also fascinating, in some cases dating back to long before the dawn of the automobile when horse-drawn carriages ruled the roads.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered where these body types originate or are deciding which one is right for you, this definitive guide will help you identify car body types old and new, explain their features and learn their history. We explore the body types we\u2019ve gained and lost along the way, and how different terms are used around the world.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also included a fact file, and we\u2019ve answered your most frequently asked questions.<\/p>\n

Without further ado, let’s get into it.<\/p>\n

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Body Styles – The Dictionary<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Saloon (UK) \/ Sedan (US)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Definition:<\/em> A fixed-roof car with at least four seats and a distinct boot (three-box design).<\/p>\n

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Key Identifiers:<\/em><\/p>\n

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– The term \u2018saloon\u2019 originates from the French \u2018salon\u2019, meaning a large room. You\u2019ll find the French are to thank for many of the body type terms we still use today. <\/p>\n

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– The term \u2018saloon\u2019 was adopted by automobile manufacturers during the early 20th century to denote motor cars with fully enclosed, comfortable, and spacious passenger cabins, having previously been used to describe luxurious locomotive carriages. <\/p>\n

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– Saloons typically have four doors, which distinguishes them from a two-door \u2018coup\u00e9\u2019. That said, the two terms are used interchangeably. A good example of this is the Rover P5B, which was offered both in \u2018saloon\u2019 and \u2018coup\u00e9\u2019 form, both with four doors and the same number of seats, while the latter\u2019s roof line is 2 \u00bd inches lower. Confused? We\u2019re not surprised.<\/p>\n

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– The benefit of saloon cars is that you\u2019re typically getting practicality and decent handling in the same package.
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Rover P5B Coup\u00e9<\/a>, which happens to be a saloon…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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History & Evolution:<\/em><\/p>\n

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– During the early days of motoring, saloons were predominantly the preserve of the wealthy elite. They would purchase their new car in rolling-chassis form and entrust it to a coach and motor body builder to complete it to their specifications. <\/p>\n

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– ‘Saloon’ vs ‘Sedan’? In the US, saloons are known as sedans. The word sedan comes from the Latin ‘seat’ or ‘to sit’.<\/p>\n

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– Early saloon bodies are often lost during restorations, as open tourers are now more sought after than they were in period. For example, many of the Cricklewood era Bentleys were, much to W.O.\u2019s dismay, ordered with heavy saloon coachwork. These were often branded \u2018sports saloons\u2019. Whereas now, you\u2019d be hard pressed to find one that hasn\u2019t been converted into a Vanden Plas-style tourer like those that race at Le Mans.<\/p>\n

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1927 Bentley 3 4\/12-litre Speed with Vanden Plas type Light Touring bodywork<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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– The advent of monocoque construction brought body design and construction predominantly in-house, spelling the end of the coachbuilding era. <\/p>\n

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– Today, saloon cars are still around, but they\u2019re a dying breed, thanks (or indeed no thanks) to the advent of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). We\u2019ll come to those in a minute.<\/p>\n

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Best Saloons:<\/em><\/p>\n

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Generally speaking, the Germans have the monopoly on the best saloon cars of all time, with the likes of the BMW 5 Series<\/a> and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class<\/a>. But other highlights include the Maserati Quattroporte<\/a>, with a name that literally means \u2018four doors\u2019 in Italian, and Japan\u2019s superb Lexus LS 400<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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BMW 5 Series (E34 Generation)<\/p>\n