[I checked out the Singer 500 on EBAY and that's what I'm talking about! The body is slim above the needle and I like the need being close. I believe you are right about the distraction of a clear body.]
I think I've seen a Bernina in a quilt shop that had a clear body for demonstration's sake. I think it'd be interesting for a while, but then everything moving around inside would be distracting. I see you're in NC too, I think it was in Loving Stitches shop in Fayetteville, but I could be imagining it. It might have simply been a bodyless machine in a plastic box.
As far as the needle position and top loading, my Singer 500 has both. The 400, 403, 500, and 503 are all slant shank machines with top loading bobbins, and the needle is close to the front due to the slight angle at which it comes out of the machine.
Tate[/QUOTE]