General Question

linuxgnuru's avatar

What part of a car is called "the turtle"?

Asked by linuxgnuru (207points) March 6th, 2011

My mom (67 years old) has told me she remembers her parents refer to some part of the car as the “turtle” but can’t remember what part. Google hasn’t helped me so I’m asking everyone here if they can help out.

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5 Answers

Dog's avatar

The term “turtle back” was sometimes used prior to the 1960’s to describe a sloping back and trunk section. We now use the term “fastback”. I assume the change in terminology was a marketing idea since turtles are less than glamorous. So I would guess that the trunk was what her parents called the turtle.

Zaku's avatar

Wow, that was easy (for Dog)! Ok, so is that also where the product name Turtle Wax comes from? (Is it now “Fastback Wax”? Interesting how often marketing totally backfires on me. I’d much sooner buy a car with a turtle than anything trying to impress me by being called a “fastback”.)

Dog's avatar

Actually I believe Turtle Wax was named under the premise that it protected your car paint like a turtle shell protects the turtle. But it may have been influenced by the turtle back slang, who knows? ;)

roundsquare's avatar

All I know is that turtle wax featured in one of the TMNT movies.

Rotmilky's avatar

The “turtle” is what we would commonly call the trunk of the car. My grandparents (from Texas) called them that. The glove box was also called the ‘catch-all’. Dunno why but I do like the terms. Nothing like answering a question 4 years later. Shrug.

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