Not a question. Enjoyed your comments on 4-dr convertibles. We had 2 postless 4-dr w/“suicide doors” (opposing) Lincoln convertibles, and GM’s Harley Earl was intrigued, as GM hadn’t been able to develop one. Took him around Talledega before the grand opening at his request.
Fascinating man! Not sure it was a Continental or what year, but we really enjoyed both of them.
This is the column referred to:
In the 20s and 30s there there were many 4 door coveretibles.
They were called touring cars or Phaetons, and many of the latter has dual cowls and windshields. In the 50s came cars without B pillars extending to the roof. They were called hardtop convertibles because of the lack of B pillars like a convertible, What soon followed and continued into the 60 were 4 door hardtops.
In the second half of the 50s most cars came in 2 dr sedan(with a full B pillar, a 2 dr hardtop without a B pillar and the same for 4 doors. The Studebaker coupes and Hawks which were only 2 doors also came in pillared and hardtop versions.
The only actual 4 dr convertibles in American production cars of the time were the Lincolns.
1 Like
I bet modern crash standards make a four door convertible just about impossible.
Sounds like GM considered building one a few years ago but couldn’t figure out how to make it pass crash standards without adding a considerable amount of weight. There are 4dr convertibles built by various shops. Usually involving a roll hoop. Not sure how much that costs these days. Newport Convertible is one shop
I read that article… The article didn’t answer the question. The poster Raymond did not mention 4 door convertibles.
The poster really wanted to know why coupes and converts have such long doors. The answer totally missed the question.
They door are long so the passengers can enter the rear seats
Mercedes in the 30s built a number of 4 door convertibles for the Nazi brass. Hitler is seen standing up in the back during one of his many public drive-by’s.
Buick had a 4 door convertible in 1941.
A crazy class mate had a 4 door 53 Chevy convertible. He had just cut the top off it. We took it for a ride one night down the railroad tracks. He claimed the wheel base was the same as the standard railroad tracks. About 20 pounds of air int he tires and didn’t even have to steer. Took it to the next cross road and turned around and came back. Lights off of course. Harley Earl could have learned something from him.