Help needed to make part of model transparent!

Hey,

I’m new here and was just wondering if it was possible to make parts of a model transparent without it affecting the rest of the model.

Here’s the deal… I am trying to model an Aston Martin DB9, and I want to make the headlights, windscreen, side windows, and back window and also the side mirrors transparent/ mirror like. I want to try and keep it all in the same model (If that makes any sense).

Also is there a way of seeing what it will look like before it is rendered?

Thanks, Jamie.

Display questions:

http://blenderartists.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?13-Basics-amp-Interface

Transparency questions:

http://blenderartists.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?30-Materials-and-Textures