Hardtop Convertible

Jamesbo · January 23rd, 2009, 06:00 AM

Sorry, I'm and idiot I know.

Can anyone explain this ebay Oldsmobile Title

"1957 Olds 88 Hardtop Convertible?"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...A1123&viewitem=

Oldsguy · January 23rd, 2009, 06:06 AM

It is also known as a "Carson Top". I think a custom builder from southern California in the 50's did this and the name stuck. His name was probably Carson. Anyway, it is a hard shell top that is removable, hence, convertible. I am betting this is what the ebay auction is referring to, probably a custom job.

edit: I just looked closely at the pictures and maybe this is what he is referring to. In the picture of the interior which shows the passenger side of the A pillar from the inside it might have the top off in that one, hard to tell though. Since he says $35,000 is not the price and it is negotiable and he "could" finish it to specific colors, etc is seems he is a builder and implies custom work. Whether this is true or not is another story.

wmachine · January 23rd, 2009, 06:26 AM

I believe the seller doesn't know what he is talking about. Hardtop? Yes. Holiday Coupe? Yes. Convertible? No.
For the younger ones???????? Sorry, I don't think it is possible to be old enough to call that a convertible.

Jamesbo · January 23rd, 2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

edit: I just looked closely at the pictures and maybe this is what he is referring to. In the picture of the interior which shows the passenger side of the A pillar from the inside it might have the top off in that one, hard to tell though. Since he says $35,000 is not the price and it is negotiable and he "could" finish it to specific colors, etc is seems he is a builder and implies custom work. Whether this is true or not is another story.

That the pic that got me scratching my head too. The pic with the milk crate "death seat" in it

citcapp · January 23rd, 2009, 08:24 AM

Picltures don't make sense. In all but the one with the milk crate the 57 looks just like my 57 hartop. I do not see any seams were the top could be removed. The one with the crate could have been taken from the inside of the car. Its a hardtop

88 coupe · January 23rd, 2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebay

........ Hardtop Convertible ........

The term goes back to '49. It was used to describe a coupe with the "more open feeling" of a convertible with the top up. it was soon shortened to "Hardtop". Olds called it "Holiday".

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebay

........ for you younger folks, "Hardtop" or Holiday Coupe ........

A couple of generations later, it turned into "no post".

Norm

88 coupe · January 23rd, 2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

It is also known as a "Carson Top" ........

Not this time, but there were two So Cal upholsterers (Carson and Gaylord) that made custom canvass tops for chopped convertibles. Both were popular during the early Fifties.

Norm

Bluevista · January 23rd, 2009, 10:17 AM

My grandfather called cars "buggies" like the ones with horses, I knew what he meant. The guys just confusing potential buyers because he wants to use outdated terminology. A hardtop convertible is a retractable in this day and age.

wmachine · January 23rd, 2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 coupe

The term goes back to '49. It was used to describe a coupe with the "more open feeling" of a convertible with the top up. it was soon shortened to "Hardtop". Olds called it "Holiday".

A couple of generations later, it turned into "no post".

Norm

Well that makes sense Norm.
But he still has a screw loose, because in 1957 it wasn't called a convertible. In the 1800s they called them Constenogas, so he may as well have called it that!

88 coupe · January 23rd, 2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmachine

........ in 1957 it wasn't called a convertible ........

Correct. The one with the folding cloth top, was called a convertible.

In 1957, when someone said "Hardtop Convertible" everyone knew he/she was using the original version of "Hardtop".

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmachine

........ In the 1800s they called them Conestogas ........

In the 1800s, Hardtop Convertibles did not exist.

Norm

88 coupe · January 23rd, 2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amh555

My grandfather called cars "buggies" ........

Outdated terminology, but you knew what he meant?

Quote:

Originally Posted by amh555

........ The guys just confusing potential buyers because he wants to use outdated terminology ........

But, I knew what he meant. How is it any different?

Do you think the seller should be held to different standards than your grandfather?

Quote:

Originally Posted by amh555

........ A hardtop convertible is a retractable in this day and age.

Funny you should bring that up. In 1957, they were called "Retractable Hardtops".

The thought just occurred to me: Since your Grandfather used the outdated term "buggies" are we to assume "he had a screw loose"?

Norm

January 23rd, 2009, 06:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jamesbo Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,862	Hardtop Convertible Sorry, I'm and idiot I know. Can anyone explain this ebay Oldsmobile Title "1957 Olds 88 Hardtop Convertible?" http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...A1123&viewitem= __________________ 69 H/O 69 442 convertible 69 Vista Cruiser 69 442 hardtop "Growing old is mandatory,Growing up is optional"

January 23rd, 2009, 06:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	It is also known as a "Carson Top". I think a custom builder from southern California in the 50's did this and the name stuck. His name was probably Carson. Anyway, it is a hard shell top that is removable, hence, convertible. I am betting this is what the ebay auction is referring to, probably a custom job. edit: I just looked closely at the pictures and maybe this is what he is referring to. In the picture of the interior which shows the passenger side of the A pillar from the inside it might have the top off in that one, hard to tell though. Since he says $35,000 is not the price and it is negotiable and he "could" finish it to specific colors, etc is seems he is a builder and implies custom work. Whether this is true or not is another story. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

January 23rd, 2009, 06:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
wmachine Trying to remember member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,470	I believe the seller doesn't know what he is talking about. Hardtop? Yes. Holiday Coupe? Yes. Convertible? No. For the younger ones???????? Sorry, I don't think it is possible to be old enough to call that a convertible. __________________ Kurt http://wmachines.shubes.net

January 23rd, 2009, 08:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
citcapp Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 3,455	Picltures don't make sense. In all but the one with the milk crate the 57 looks just like my 57 hartop. I do not see any seams were the top could be removed. The one with the crate could have been taken from the inside of the car. Its a hardtop __________________ Pat 1957 Super 88 with a 455 1948 2dr series 76 with a 455

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January 23rd, 2009, 10:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,724	My grandfather called cars "buggies" like the ones with horses, I knew what he meant. The guys just confusing potential buyers because he wants to use outdated terminology. A hardtop convertible is a retractable in this day and age.

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