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=

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Norm

 

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 The guys just confusing potential buyers because he wants to use outdated terminology.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

 

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!

 

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".

In the 1800s, Hardtop Convertibles did not exist.

Norm

 

Outdated terminology, but you knew what he meant?

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?

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