late 70s convertibles

[Kodiak Island Modeler]

The "last" American convertibles came off the assembly lines in 1976, but there were still companies that took cars from the factories and built them as convertibles, and the cars were delivered as "new" cars. I had a friend that had a 76 Cordoba convertible back in the early 80s, and we got to talking about the collector's market for such cars in the future.

The future for them is here. How have they held up? Are they accepted as "new" car convertibles, or are they just considered as chop jobs? Are they considered as "rare"? Once again I'm only talking about those that went directly from the factory assembly line to the conversion company.

If you have any pictures, please share them.

[ra7c7er]

Their is a collector market for everything. If you want a 76-??? in convertible form you are going to be looking at a aftermarket conversion. I think they would be just as wanted as anything else from that era and rarer too.

[george 53]

Doug, My brother in law worked for American SunRoof Co. back in the late 70's and they were considered CONVERSIONS by the factory. AFTER they leave the plant they become the property of the dealership that ordered them. THAT dealership sent the cars to be converted to ASC. They were located in the city of Southgate Mich, the next city over to me. I would imagine they were still under the factory warrantee, for the mechanicals but as far as covering rust out or electrical and structual problems the factory warrantee would be void. Are they rare? Those lots used to be LOADED with cars! You could see them from I-75, and it EASILY covered a few ACRES! So I don't REALLY think you could call them rare. If they were limited editions, well, THAT is a different matter i would believe. Hope this helps.

[seeker589]

I don't know much about the collectability of coachbuilt convertibles but I know what I like.

And I always liked these:

[Rob Hall]

I had a neighbor in S. Florida back in the '80s that had such a conversion..it was a '79 Caddy Coupe De Ville convertible..don't know who did the work, but it was well done..

Speaking of aftermarket convertibles, I've seen two in the last week--an Eldorado (last generation) and a 4dr convertible current-style Caddy DTS..both well done.

[charlie8575]

What a sharp Camaro. I always thought it was unfortunate that GM never did the second-generation F-body as a convertible.

I remember seeing a couple of front-drive A-body convertibles around here; a Century and a Cutlass Ciera. They made a nice-looking drop-top.

A new Cadillac 4-door convertible? Rob- next time you see it around town, see if you can snap a picture of it. I'd be very interested in seeing how that came out.

Charlie Larkin

[Rob Hall]

A new Cadillac 4-door convertible? Rob- next time you see it around town, see if you can snap a picture of it. I'd be very interested in seeing how that came out.

Charlie Larkin

If the traffic wasn't so I would have tried to snap it w/ my phone..dark red, whitewall tires, tan interior w/ the top down, a hoop connected to the B-pillars...

[Kodiak Island Modeler]

Thanks for the replies everybody. That was some great information. I had a friend in the Army that had a 74 Olds 98 built as a convertible, but it was shipped to his home, and I never got to see it. I hope somebody compiles a book on "converted" convertibles some time.

[Eshaver]

I would watch Old Cars Weekly , Antique Price guides that show up at Barnes & Noble and Books - A - Million news stands . Generally they are a decent barrometer as to what the public is willing to pay for a peticular car. Ed Shaver