The first "hardtop convertibles" were actually convertibles with a
non-removable steel top. Chrysler was the first with the idea in 1946,
building seven on the Town & Country 8 chassis. The first 1949 Chrysler
folder (March, 1949) illustrated a New Yorker Newport 2-door hardop. It
never got into production in 1949, although Chrysler did build one Town &
Couuntry Newport hardtop.
Oldsmobile (Holiday), Buick (Riviera) and Cadillac (Coupe deVille) were the
first production models in 1949. They used the convertible body but were
able to use a full-width rear seat as there was no need to make room for the
folding top.
The first 2-door hardtop not based on a convertible was the 1951 Nash
Rambler. Yes, Rambler had a convertible, but it was the basis for their
2-door sedan! The Rambler convertible had stationary steel frames around
the side glass.
The first 4-door hardtop convertible was also a 4-door convertible with a
steel top. Kaiser took the roof off their 4-door sedan, but had thin
stationary frames around the door glass plus a non-removable glass pillar
between the upper door frames. Kaiser simply took their 4-door convertible
and put a steel top back on it!
Over the years hardtops and convertibles went their separate ways, and the
"convertible" got dropped from "hardtop convertible".
Bill
Vancouver, BC
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