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Topic starter
05/09/2024 2:52 am
The first T-Top can be credited to Gordon Buehrig who created the concept (and patented it in 1951) for his work on the 1948 proposed sports car, The American Sports Car Company (TASCO).
However the first of the ‘modern’ T-Top configuration was Corvette's C generation from 1968 to 1982 which had T-Tops as a standard production option. This particular design feature may be seen separately to the mid-‘70s T-Top trend which was as much brought-on by safety concerns as style - including fears of proposed roll-bar legislation and the popularisation of air-conditioning - both of which led to the decline in convertible offerings. Prior to such concerns, though, were Hurst’s retro-fitted T-Top options.
General Motors were invited to run Indianapolis Motor Speedway pace cars in 1974, ’75 and ’76. With the close affiliation of Hurst with competition racing, and with the name already featured on factory-supplied Hurst gear shifts on certain G.M. products as of 1965. It may have seemed a logical step to have Hurst custom the G.M. Indianapolis 500 pacecars when awarded that honour: 1974 (Oldsmobile Cutlas), 1975 and '76 (Buick Century). For these pace cars, Hurst retro-fitted T-Tops along the Corvette lines, giving the mid-sized sedans a more sporty feel.
The 1975 Hurst Buick Century was the last of the ’73 to ‘’75 generation, sporting the dramatic sweepspear side mouldings, which according to exterior designer Gary D. Smith, lent itself to the image of a waving flag and hence, with the coming Bi-Centenial, patriotic graphics were applied as well - giving us the perfect automotive icon of mid-seventies Americana. The pacecar, further, being driven by film and T.V. personality, James Garner. Labelled “Free-Spirit”, 1813 replica models were produced in the 1975 model year, offered with the Bi-Centenial graphics but without the 455 V8 used on the actual Indy 500 Pace Car. All Hurst T-Top equipped cars were built at the General Motors Norwood, Ohio, factory.
a) ORIGINAL DESIGN RENDERING OF THE 1975 FREE SPIRIT GRAPHIC (Gary Dean Smith / Dean’s Garage)
b) MILESTONE MINIATURES 1975 INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR (Worthpoint)
For Pontiac's 50th. anniversary, a special Firebird option - the Trans-Am - was unveiled at the 1976 Chicago Auto Show, which was rendered in black and gold, and featured the T-Top that had been developed by Hurst. All 50th Anniversary Trans-Ams had been intended to include Hirst's T-Top but installation problems and quality control led to only 110 being completed. Though the T-Top feature became a regular production option for all Firebirds from 1977.
Ford quickly followed suit, marketing their later Mustang IIs as “T-Roof Convertibles” from 1977 and with the Oldsmobile Cutlas also sporting the Hurst T-Top, the stage was set for one of the most charectaristic automotive trends of the 1970s.
(Any additional info. and / or corrections would be much appreciated).
1/43 scale white metal 1975 Buick Century by 43rd. Avenue (Milestone Miniatures).
05/09/2024 5:39 am
including fears of proposed roll-bar legislation and the popularisation of air-conditioning - both of which led to the decline in convertible offerings.
As one who has owned convertibles (and a few T-Top cars ) my entire life, I must correct one point.
The demise of American made convertibles in 1976 (Cadillac pumped out about 14,000 Eldorado 'verts ) had virtually nothing to do with "safety concerns." The bottom line was simply LOW DEMAND. 1965 was the peak year for domestic convertible production; every year that followed experienced declines in demand, for a variety a reasons: cars rattled, tops leaked, A/C was a popular option, sunroofs & T-Tops were alternatives, etc...
With incrementally lower demand, year after year, coupled with the higher manufacturing costs associated with convertible production, OEMs simply made a shrewd business decision. Within a few years demand returned, and convertible production resumed: Mustang, Camaro, Firebird, Chrysler K-cars, etc....
Today, of course (sadly ) American convertible demand is, once again, down. Only 4 are currently being offered (Mustang, Bronco, Jeep & Corvette ) Tesla, will one day make it 5.
Topic starter
05/09/2024 8:12 am
@chris Thank-you for this clarification and your insight. I believe this must be correct; that society has succumbed to ease of living and 'sound economics' and so much is lost as a result.
Christopher Moroni reacted
05/09/2024 10:02 am
@charles-rockett No problem, you're welcome. That entire "safety rumor myth" emerged in the mid '70's.
Furthermore, those governmental roll-over-mandates were enacted in 1972-ish, but convertible demand had been dropping long before that and when OEMs finally did announce they were ending 'vert production, demand continued to fall (with a few exceptions ).... consumers simply didn't care. The American convertible was dead. 😔 😔
Tony Perrone and Charles Rockett reacted
05/09/2024 7:52 pm