What's your favorite body style--coupe or convertible? Back in the 50s and 60s, the convertibles were the "glamour" cars and I admit they're pretty, but I wouldn't have one. I much prefer coupes for the styling, practicality and plus the fact that coupes almost always weigh less which means quicker and more power. Hardtop coupes were a great invention as you had the style of a convertible (with all windows rolled down) and the practicality of a solid roof.

 

Hey Longhorn - Where in TX are you? I am in Plano (Dallas area).

I must say I like the looks of the convertible the most, but I agree the Hardtops are more practical for everyday driving. I like the postless style they offer as well.

I bought my '72 was as I wanted a convertible for a long time and I always loved the look of the 69-72 Cutlass.
The convertible is the next best thing to riding a motorcycle on a long driving trip IMHO. I do plan to take the '72 on some LONG trips in a few years. Driving topless through the Smokey and Blue Ridge Mountains last year was a blast!

If I only had room (and time) for more cars, I would surely have a collection! A 1970 Hardtop with a 455 would probably be my next one...

BTW, welcome to the list!

 

I'm in big, hot Houston. Have some family in the Wylie area near Dallas, though.

 

I like the coups. Here in Toxic New Jersey, the nastiest state in the country for a car's health, the less "soft" area on a car the better. I'm also a BIG fan of 4 door sedans both mid sized and full. I don't know why.

 

Jersey Toxic??? hmmmm it's an acquired taste, LOL...

I am on exit 9 in sloth river errrr I mean south river hahaha

I still prefer a drop top, even with security being what it is, but you "have" to have the boot on the top when it is down, and absolutely have to have all the windows rolled down, I laugh wn i take the bus to work, and see all the benny's driving their beemers and such with the top down and the windows up....

 

Hey Longhorn,

Tell your folks in Wylie to be on the lookout for my '72...

I am just a few miles from Wylie and we drive through there sometimes on weekends.
If you come down to visit, let me know (and bring your Olds!)

 

Rob, beautiful car!! I like that color, especially for a convertible, since darker colors soak up heat and get hot. Nobody could miss that car coming down the street. I have a black '87 Cutlass Supreme in extremely good condition as well. Bought if from a guy in Ohio and had it transported here. Now has 50,200 original miles and drives great.

 

Thanks!!

That was the picture (as well as the color combo) that pretty much sold me on the car. (Not to mention the great condition.)

I flew to Hilton Head SC to check her out and ended up driving her home along the Blue Ridge Parkway and through the Smokey mountains.
(Pictures in the link in my sig.)
She has now 51K on the clock but I believe it is 151K.

I have a gold '86 which i need to get some pics of and post. She has 69K on her and runs like new.
Got some pics up of your cars?

 

Fan of the convertible, myself. In these older cars, everything rattles... but in a 'vert with the top down and the exhaust burblin away, you can't hear the rattles.

 

Convertible . I only drive this baby when the weather is near perfect anyway. No rain. Might as well have the top down.

 

Convertibles always!!!!!!!!!!

 

Eddie, I'm just up rt 1 from you in metuchen.

I happen to like both about equally, but I really love Post cars. It's just something different.

 

hey cool, metuchen is just a stones throw... I'll have to send you a pm and such for some reliable engine places near by...

I know a lot of folks just like the bare bones post cars ( like road runners and such) taxi interiors, and wall to wall motor...LOL... I dunno I kinda like the whole box frame thing...

 

coupe.

 

Club coupe (2 door sedan). Hey, anyone remember anything about Reynolds Olds in Metuchen around 1966?

 

sorry before my time living here in jersey....want me to check???

 

I found this...
http://www.nj.com/forums/metuchen/index.ssf?artid=17531

 

I do like the convertibles looks but there is something about the hard top two door postless 1969 that cannot be questioned or argued with. To me 1969 represents the styling and muscle that lives on forever. By the way there are alot of us in DFW area that needs together and go burn some rubber. What do you say. Long live OLDSMOBILE.

 

I have always loved convertibles. I have had my 72 Cutlass for 15 years and it is time for a redo. I had another 72 Cutlass years ago and sold it to buy a 74 454 Corvette. The Corvette was never as much fun as the Cutlass. My first convertible was a Roman red 60 Impala with a 348 and a 4-speed. That was in 1964. Oh to have that one again. I had that car when my wife and I married in 1966. She really liked that car and learned to like me. For you good Texas people, I am located in Rowlett. Rob, I love the color combo of you car.

 

>>Quoted by mshavandy:
>>>By the way there are alot of us in DFW area that needs together and go burn some rubber.

Yes, I do agree! I do not have a whole lot of rubber left on my old RWOL tires (made in USA!), but I am all up for a get together some time. Hope Lady is back together then - I have the whole rear interior out for a good makeover. She is comeing along well though.

Redoldsman, thank you... It Looks like like you are about 15 minutes away from me (I'm near near the firewheel area). I have passed through Rowlett many times with the top down. If you ever need any help with your redo, feel free to ask.

Yes, "there IS a special feel in an Oldsmobile..."

 

I have had hardtops and coupes and there is nothing like a convertible. I will put up with all the squeaks and rattles (when the top is up) any day, cowl shake just takes a little getting used to. Convertibles should have power windows so you never have an excuse for having any windows up, makes for a quick transformation too. If the heat bothers you keep those buckets folded up when it is sitting in the sun to keep them cool, problems like that I will take any day. Besides...everybody knows convertibles have more leg room.

Allan

P.S. I think wagons are being discriminated against here, my second car is a Vista Cruiser.

 

I agree! I'd love to do a Vista Cruiser AWD conversion, as while I love and use my SUV constantly, a Vista Cruiser with the same capability would be soooooo much cooler.

 

Allan,

You had some good points...

Power windows are almost a must. Has anyone installed a conversion kit that FITS? OPG sells one but really is not for Olds - I tried it and it did not fit. They investigated and they just "assumed it would fit".
Other places sell them but not wanting to take more gambles at the moment...

Good idea on the seats!! Even bench seat backs can be folded inward to help keep the sun off.

Rattles and squeaks in the cowl are often easy to find and repair. Drum the dash and nearby areas with your fist and go after 'em! One nasty squack that is often overlooked is when the radio is held in by only the front shafts and no rear bracket is used. It flexes the plastic on the dash. Adding a rear bracket made a big difference. The center hood bumper will sometimes cause another squack, a common problem on the G-bodies.
Lady is completely squeak free except in the right side door and quarter which are next to be overhauled. It takes time but can be done.

And finally, wagons were very neglected here... IfI run across a good Vista Cruiser in as good a shape as Lady was, it will be in my driveway! I have been needing a cargo hauler for a long time and the Vistas look awesome. I saw one in the '97 Centennial video that had a ram air hood and a 455 - SWEET!
Also by studying the service and body manual, those wagons had some real neat options. I will probably go looking for one after Lady is complete (unless it comes to me first...)

 

Give me a coupe over a convertible anyday...

I like both, but prefer coupes...

 

My dad worked there in 79. He's lived in town since 59. As a matter of fact, the car that later became his first car was bought down the street (about a block) at Rossmeyer Chrysler by his dad in 60. They were both on Amboy avenue. (I live about 5 blocks away) Renolds Olds is now University Radiology and Rossmeyer Chrysler is a Cottman Transmission and an oil change place.

 

hi all, i haven't posted in a while, but i too am in houston
sorry to bring up a somewhat old thready, but i dont see many cutlass forums.
i have convertible and for this car it's the only style i would prefer

also, i wanted to ask you guys in houston.....do you know if any REPUTABLE shops in houston that can work on my olds. i just need the basic stuff done, like oil change, change spark plugs, change brakes and have them bled. basically i need all my routine maintenace done. any help would be GREATLY appreciated

 

Convertible but you guys already knew that.
Second place for me is wagons. My next big project will probably be a 64-67 Pontiac A-body wagon.

 

Love em all.
It would be great to own a vert, but my wife wouldn't ride in it. (hmmmm....)
Have a coupe (non post) love it because with the windows down it's almost like driving a vert.
Had a wagon ( 73 custom cruiser). Miss it a lot,man you want a people or cargo hauler that was the one. Don't miss the fuel bills.

Rob, I'm installing PW as a factory option, not aftermarket. Pricey. Got em as a package completely rebuilt (regulators, rollers, attaching hardware, wiring, new relay etc) for $550.00 + it's under a 2 yr guarantee to work. Biggest problem I've heard with these options is making sure they're properly grounded. Just gotta put em in and like I said, it's almost like having a vert on demand when the windows go down. Also bought all new tinted glass for the sides (PS Auto glass) that will be changed out at the same time.

I doubt whether any of us would pull up beside each other with a vert, coupe, sedan or wagon and not admire each others ride.

 

As in the Amboy Dukes? the band that launched Ted Nugent....

Nevermind, that was Detroit. I think you guys were talking about New Jersey.

 

I agree someday I will own a 68 or 9 Hardtop ! I love my vert but for a hot street car that will see track time a solid roof is the only way to go.
Roll bar and vert just dont mix.
Dont get me wrong not getting rid of the 65 !

 

I prefer 4 door hardtops. Riding around in a convertible is almost like riding in a 4 door hardtop.

 

My wife and I like 69

Oh oooooooooooops....... I got distracted, this thread is about convertibles vs. coupes

Well as an investment, I'd rather have a convertible Cutli that a 442 coupe because IMHO there are just a lot of people out there who want a convertible "toy" of any make.

But convertibles are not very practical in the summer, and in the spring the %$*&&*((*(^&%$$ yellow pine pollen in the air turns my blue 69 into a discusting green color.

Did I just say "practical?" I must still be distracted
Heck, Buy both and throw in a Vista [69 of course]

 

I think the solution is to have both the hardtop and the convert. Since most of us drive our cars only in good weather the droptop is the way to go. For racing, you have to go with the hardtop. I think my Cutlass S was the lightest of all the models weighing in at I think 3630? Any comments on that? I luckily have access to a 1965 Cadillac convert when I want it. I set my father in law up with it. He said I could use it when I want to. The guy is really an ace.
By z11375ss, shot with Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi at 2008-09-19

 

Both!
A coupe to build into a ripping fast car, and a convertible to, um, build into a ripping fast car.
I also think I should own one car from each decade. A mixed bag of coupes, convertibles, wagons and trucks.

 

Coupe, can't afford a rag top for now

 

68conv455 is dead on. LOL a coupe to build into a rippin'fast race car and a convert to build into a rippin' fast race car. I love it.