52 hardtop convertible?

[gohdes]

never heard of Studebaker making a "hardtop convertible", but this seller says he has an NOS rear side glass for it.
Unless he meant "hardtop, or convertible".


This is a NEW OEM ORIGINAL WINDOW for:
1952 Studebaker Club Coupe, Starliner, Hard Top Convertible, Models 12G Champion, 3H Commander, Symbol K


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120984446653&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160

[Skip Lackie]

It was a term of art in the early 50s for the new 2-door cars without a B-pillar. Stude actually used the term in their advertising for a few years. Later, the whole industry just shortened the term to "hardtop" -- even though everything but real convertibles had hard tops. It has fallen out of use, as almost no such models are built any more. But all geezers know what it means.

[Pat Dilling]

Hardtop Convertible is the nomenclature initially used for the hard top cars. Not sure of the reasoning, but that is what they were called.

[53hardtop]

Take a look at the website Studebakerhardtop.com . I think he has his terminology correct. No, the top does not come off, but they still called it a convertible.

(I see I was third in line here by the time I got my post done).

[8E45E]

Hardtop Convertible is the nomenclature initially used for the hard top cars. Not sure of the reasoning, but that is what they were called.

The very first two door hardtops, if one credits GM's 1949 Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile lineup, (there were seven 1947 Chrysler Town & Country hardtops made) essentially were a steel roof welded onto a convertible body shell. The doors and quarter windows would interchange. The 1951 Rambler may have been the first hardtop to have a different contour for the rear quarter windows.

Craig

[gohdes]

But all geezers know what it means.

I guess I can be thankful I am not quite to "geezer" status yet, even though there are days in which my body tells me I am close.

[52-fan]

I remember pillarless 2 door hardtops being called hardtop convertibles. Some hardtops even had the roof styled to look like it had a top bow.

[studegary]

Now, many makes offer a convertible that uses a retractable hardtop.

[Noxnabaker]

Now then... if you look at a -64 Impala H.T. you'll see that they even made a soft-top-looking line across the roof a bit forward from the rear window... & then there's already the late 50's Ford's...

[52hawk]

I had a '52 Hardtop Commander [parts car] for a short time. Even the title said "hardtop convertible"

[Skip Lackie]

Yes. That crease actually started on the 62 Impala hardtops. The 62 Bel Air hardtops still had the 1961 roof, and because of the contrast, acquired the name "bubbletops".

[davepink53]

Studebaker had a Hardtop Convertible in 1925.

[studegary]

Yes. That crease actually started on the 62 Impala hardtops. The 62 Bel Air hardtops still had the 1961 roof, and because of the contrast, acquired the name "bubbletops".

That convertible appearing hard roof was not limited to Chevrolet. For example, My 1962 Pontiac Catalina hardtop had that roof (shared body).

[8E45E]

That convertible appearing hard roof was not limited to Chevrolet. For example, My 1962 Pontiac Catalina hardtop had that roof (shared body).

All the B-body 2-door hardtops did, including Buicks and Oldsmobiles that it was shared with.

Craig

[Noxnabaker]

So the was 57-59 Fords might've been the only true ones?