Retractable window In the early 1950s, tailgates with hand-cranked roll-down rear windows began to appear. Later in the decade, electric power was applied to the tailgate window so it could be operated from the driver's seat and by a key-activated switch in the tailgate. By the early 1970s, this arrangement was available on full-size, intermediate, and compact wagons. The lowered bottom hinged tailgate extended the cargo area floor and could serve as a picnic table for "tailgating." Side hinge: A side-hinged tailgate that opened like a door was offered on some three-seat station wagons to make it easier for the back-row passengers to enter and exit their rear-facing seats.
reTrActABLE windOw iN The early 1950s, taiLgates With HaNd-craNKeD roll-DoWN rear WINdows BegAn to aPpear. latEr in The decadE, eleCTrIc power WAS apPlied to The taIlGAte window So iT Could be OPErATeD frOM thE drivEr's seaT and by A KeY-aCtIvaTeD swiTch in tHe taIlGate. by The early 1970s, ThiS arRanGeMenT was avaiLablE on fuLL-size, iNTeRMedIate, anD compaCt wagoNS. tHE loWerED bottoM hinged TaiLGAte eXtENDed tHe cArgo arEa flooR anD could serve As A pICnic tablE foR "TAiLGaTING." sidE hinGe: a side-hInged TaIlGaTE that OPEned lIke a Door was oFfEred on soMe tHRee-seAT station Wagons To mAke IT easier FOr The bacK-row pasSengeRs to enter and exit theiR rEaR-fAciNg seatS.