Text by Patrick Bell.
The hardtop body style was an American idea that was all the rage beginning in the 1950’s. They were popular sellers in both the new and used markets, and remain as favored classics to this day. We feature them today in a variety of models, so take a look and pick out a favorite or two.
We begin with a happy couple in a two tone 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria, their terminology for a 2 door hardtop. It had an antenna that appeared to be mounted on the rear bumper, dual fender mounted mirrors, and the optional full wheel covers and white wall tires.
This was the top of the line series on the newly restyled 1957 models, and shared a 118″ wheelbase with the Fairlane models. The Custom and Custom 300 series were on the lower end of the spectrum and shared a 116″ wheelbase.
A man was checking the details of a new looking 1950 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air 2 door hardtop. It was equipped with a radio, and accessory outside mirror, hood ornament, and wheel trim rings.
This was Chevrolet’s first hardtop model, and also new for 1950 was the Powerglide automatic transmission. Both were the first in the low price range.
And a clean 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville that was parked at what appeared to be a military base PX. It stood out from the other cars nearby. There was some sort of accessory on the headlights that I don’t recognize, and curb feelers at least on this side.
The Coupe de Ville was about $400 more than the Series 62 Coupe, and that premium bought you an upgraded interior and a pair of exterior badges. The CDV won the coupe sale race for this year, but only by about 1%.
Here was a lady smiling for the camera while sitting in a 1952 Buick Super Riviera Hardtop. An accessory bug deflector was mounted on the hood.
This was a carryover year for Buick, with only a few trim changes. A new option debuted this year that became quite popular; Power Steering. It was available only on the Roadmaster series that first year.
This one was a sharp looking 1953 Mercury Monterey Special Custom Coupe that had two tone paint, a radio, front bumper guards, full wheel covers and white wall tires.
This was the senior series, and the best selling model for the year. The flathead V8 was in its last year, and had powered Mercurys since their introduction in 1939.
A 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Coupe was parked on a dirt street that had been oiled fairly recently. It was typically equipped with two tone paint, a radio, and full wheel covers.
Parked on the left edge was a 1949 or 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline De Luxe 2 door sedan, while in the driveway on the right looks like the tail end of a 1950 or 1951 Studebaker sedan.
And a lady with a 1954 Ford Crestline Victoria, with two tone paint, radio, full wheel covers, and dirty white wall tires. It was powered by the new Y-block V8.
Above it was another Ford, a 1950 Custom Deluxe Tudor Sedan. And in the upper right corner was a 1958 Chevrolet wagon.
Mercury’s 1955 restyle was shown here in a 1955 Monterey Coupe that was towing a small camp trailer. Evidently there were no right hand lane changes planned, as he did not have a mirror on that side to match either of the two on the driver’s side. I believe this was a two tone, and had full wheel covers and white wall tires to go along with the Oregon license plate.
The new restyle was the same overall length, and two inches wider and shorter. And a new senior series was introduced; the Montclair that was available in four body styles.
A V8 powered 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan was freshly washed and looking good with two tone paint, a radio, dual fender mounted mirrors, fender skirts, full wheel covers, white wall tires, and an Illinois license plate.
The Sport Sedan (4 door hardtop) was a new body style that year, and was also available in the Two-Ten series. It did not sell near as well, as buyers chose the Bel Air over the Two-Ten by a five to one ratio.
The Bel Air’s more sophisticated cousin was this 1956 Buick Super 4 door Riviera hardtop. This one was actually had three tone paint, as well as the normal radio, outside mirror, full wheel covers, and white wall tires.
Buick offered 4 door Riviera’s in all four series, and the Super was the second most popular. It and the Roadmaster were the senior series with a 127″ wheelbase, while the Special and Century were juniors with a wheelbase of 122″.
Here was a California car and location that we have seen before, with a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door hardtop at the curb. It was V8 powered in a conservative color with a conventional two tone, and was brightened up by a radio, full wheel covers, and white walls.
The new Flight-Sweep Styling made big news that year, but unfortunately it aged quickly. Other big news was the new Torque-Flight three speed automatic transmission that was available on V8 Belvedere and Fury models.
A 1957 Cadillac Sixty Two Coupe de Ville was in the desert enjoying the company of some Joshua trees. The options I can see were E-Z-Eye Tinted Glass and white wall tires.
The styling was new for this year, but the exterior dimensions were about the same with the exception of the height, as it was 2 inches shorter than the 1956 model.
And a man that seemed pleased to be in the driver’s seat of a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Sport Coupe. The rear mounted antenna and white wall tires were optional equipment, while the full wheel covers were standard on the Bel Air series.
This was the introductory year for the Impala, which was also available as a convertible. With its unique hardtop roof and taillight treatment it stood out from the rest of the Chevrolet line. Plus the style was new, and really brought in the longer, lower and wider phase.
This lady was standing behind the car to allow us to see the 1958 Chrysler Saratoga 2 door hardtop without interruption. For options it had a radio, and a remote control outside mirror, plus what may have been a 1961 Ohio license plate.
This was year two of phase two of the Forward Look, and was Chrysler’s best year ever, according to them. The 1958 models has some trim updates, but a recession killed the sales for the year.
We finish today with a 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Sedan that was taking a fuel stop at an Esso station. It was equipped with two tone paint, rear mounted antenna, and full wheel covers.
Another restyle came this year, and the Impala was promoted to a full series. It was well on its way to becoming America’s favorite car.
Thanks for joining us and have a great day!
Looks like the Colonel’s wife was at least courteous enough to park the Cadillac far enough from some enlisted man’s prewar Lemon Lot beater that he wouldn’t have to worry about scratching it. Or have I watched too many old Gomer Pyle reruns?
Given the housing density along the oiled dirt road the Olds is parked on, I’m willing to bet it’d have been paved before the decade was out.
I loved the 2dr Hardtops. In 1949 Buick, Cadillac and Oldsmobile induced the first Hardtops. Riviera, Coup DeVille and Holiday. I wish they were made today.
The Cadillac appears to have a set of Lucas P700 Tripod headlamps, often seen on Jaguars and Aston Martins. Or a JC Whitney reproduction of same. Probably a repro since I don’t think the English lamps were sealed beam.
Dad bought a ’59 Ford Galaxie 2-door hardtop. I washed it so many times over its 6-year life I can recall in great detail every inch both inside and out. I do recall how the rubber gasket where the side windows met deteriorated over time causing wind and water leaks. Was surprised when Dad bought a ’67 Bonneville 4-door hardtop but he grew to despise that car and didn’t own it very long.