Coach convertible - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Coach convertibles are convertibles built by independent shops, or coachbuilders, by converting closed cars into open ones. This practice filled, and to a small extent continues to fill a small void left by the auto industry. The coach convertible trend is most closely associated with the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the American auto industry abandoned the convertible because of low demand and pending federal crash regulations that would make the convertible seem impossible to build.

Decline of factory convertibles

Sales of convertibles began to decline in the late 1960s and took a sharp downturn by the early 1970s. Chrysler Corp produced its last convertible in 1971, Ford was done by 1973 and GM stopped all convertible production except Cadillac by 1975. By 1976 GM was done as well.

A December 1973 article in Road & Track magazine explains the fall of the convertible in a very data-rich and scientific manner. The article does not blame government mandates or safety concerns for making the convertible too expensive or impossible to continue to build. Rather, it suggests that buyer tastes have changed, making the convertible a less attractive option for new car buyers. Some reasons listed were:

Better interstate highways, higher speeds and longer travel times that make wind-in-your-hair driving less appealing.
"Hardtop" design improved, making the 2 door hardtop more stylish.
Convertibles cost more to build and sell than a comparable hardtop.
Hardtops are stronger and have a stiffer frame for more spirited driving.

Air conditioning became an affordable and more common option that made comfortable windows-up driving more common.
Longer hair on men and women became the trend and was hard to keep orderly in a convertible.
Custom vans and pickups became a trend that many would-be convertible buyers went to.
Fake fabric top coverings on a hardtop became a style alternative to true convertibles. In 1971, 42% of all domestic cars were sold as fabric covered hardtops.

The article showed the slow decline in sales of the convertible from the mid-sixties into the seventies, compared to the hardtops of the same model. Sales were down because few buyers decided a convertible was the right car for them.

The last American convertible to come out of the factory was the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. It was advertised to be the end of an era, and all indications at the time seemed to corroborate that. Convertibles were not built by mainstream U.S. automobile manufacturers again until 1982. Only a few 2-seat sporty European import convertibles remained for the American market.

Rise of the coachbuilt convertible

American car manufacturers stopped making convertibles in-house in 1976. As fewer and fewer convertibles remained available to U.S. buyers (mid-1970s to mid-1980s), an aftermarket cottage industry grew for new cars to be converted into convertibles because there were still buyers who wanted them. The few European convertibles that were available was not enough to placate demand. Everything from Firebirds to Celicas, Continentals to Cutlass Cieras were modified into convertibles. Tens of thousands of cars were converted by several dozen coachbuilders across the country.

Why were they called coachbuilders? Because it was a big job, and these modern cars did not have enough structural integrity to withstand the loss of the roof structure. The coachbuilder would have to re-engineer the structure of the car, often adding hundreds of pounds of steel, prior to removing the roof and fitting the convertible mechanism. They would then have to make new interior and exterior trim for all the places that they had to cut, and make it look, feel, and drive like it was meant to be a convertible. It would also have to be safe. It was no small task. Coachbuilding was a trade that had been around for centuries. Before there were cars, there were horse drawn coaches, and they were all made by hand. With the advent of the automobile, the coachbuilders adapted to the changing times, and made bodies for cars. These car bodies were made by hand, out of wood and later steel, and mounted on to the automobile frame. The coachbuilder would be responsible for the interior as well. Eventually car companies started making their own pressed steel bodies. The only remaining market for coachbuilders was the very expensive cars like Duesenburgs, Rolls Royces, and the biggest Packards. This work eventually died down too, but there would always be coachbuilders around. The firm of Mulliner Park Ward, for example, would build Corniche bodies for Rolls Royce and Bentley until 1995. Most modern day coachbuilders are in the business of modifying car bodies. They modify cars into hearses, ambulances, flower cars, stretch limousines, and of course convertibles.

These coachbuilding companies often marketed to new car dealerships, but they usually did not work for, or in conjunction with the car manufacturer. There were exceptions, however. American Sunroof Company (ASC), a company which has converted over 1,000,000 cars, has had official relationships with many car companies. ASC's products are of such high quality that many manufacturers retain them to create convertibles. The volume of convertible sales is low enough that these manufacturers can't justify the cost of tooling up their own factories to make convertibles in-house like they used to. For example, General Motors sold Camaro and Firebird Convertibles from 1987–1992, which were sold in Chevrolet and Pontiac dealerships. In this case, it was handled in two different ways. Some of them were sold as regular production "factory convertibles." GM handled the logistics of these "factory" conversions and sold the cars to dealers under the RPO system (regular production option). Even though the car was bought from Chevrolet directly as a convertible, it was in fact a converted car, and had a placard from the coachbuilder in the door jamb.

Sometimes GM chose not to offer RPO convertibles. For example, in 1987, when the first RPO Camaro ragtops became available, Pontiac wanted to have Firebird ragtops too, but they were so heavy that they would have raised Pontiac's CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) number too high. To get around this problem, they were sold as coachbuilt special editions, and as such, their increased fuel consumption would not be figured into Pontiac's CAFE number. Everything was done the same as the RPO Camaros except the paperwork. Instead of ordering a convertible directly from GM, the dealer would order the car as a t-top. It would be drop shipped to the coachbuilder, and converted right along side the regular production Camaros, which had also been built as t-top cars originally. So it is a subtle distinction, the only real difference being who got billed for the work, (the dealer or the manufacturer) and whether or not it was included in the CAFE calculations. It was win-win. Customers got their convertibles and Pontiac got their low CAFE rating. Pontiac eventually redesigned the Firebird, reducing fuel consumption enough to offer their own RPO convertibles in 1991.

A new-car dealership could contract with any aftermarket company to add any option they wanted to add to a car, as long as it did not compromise the structural integrity or cause warranty problems on that car. Options like roof-racks, sunroofs, leather interiors, spoilers, rustproofing and all sorts of things could be done to a new car, even if the car manufacturer had nothing to do with that product or conversion. The conversion van phenomenon is a very similar process. The convertible conversion was billed as a dealer option that was ordered by the new car dealership (or could be ordered privately if you already owned the car) just like rustproofing or custom pinstriping could be ordered for a car by the dealership. As far as a car manufacturer was concerned, as long as the car was converted in a way that did not negatively compromise the car to cause warranty problems, then the new car dealership could do, or have done, whatever they wanted to do. These conversions are not considered OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer

An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...

or factory options. Conversions done before the final sale to the consumer, for/by the new car dealership are considered dealer options. All coach convertible conversions sold directly to the private car owner are considered "aftermarket" conversions.

Return of the factory convertible

As the coachbuilt convertible cottage industry continued to grow, it became obvious to the car manufacturers that it was again time for them to produce new convertibles. For the 1982 model year, the Chrysler LeBaron

Chrysler LeBaron

The Chrysler LeBaron was originally a classic luxury car of 1930s manufactured by Chrysler which competed with other luxury cars of the era such as Lincoln and Packard....

, Dodge 400

Dodge 400

The Dodge 400 was Dodge's second K-car in the early 1980s. It was similar to the Chrysler LeBaron of the same era. The 400 was introduced for the 1982 model year, yet was renamed and added to the midsize Dodge 600 lineup just two years later.-1982:...

and Buick Riviera

Buick Riviera

The Riviera by Buick is an automobile produced by Buick in the United States from the 1963 to 1999 model years, with 1,127,261 produced.A full-size coupé or personal luxury car, the early models of the Riviera in particular have been highly praised by automotive journalists and writers.A common...

convertibles were available to new car shoppers as a factory option. The Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...

, Chevy Cavalier & Pontiac Sunbird

Pontiac Sunbird

The Pontiac Sunbird, produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors, was Pontiac's second small-car offering of the 70's. The Sunbird model ran for 18 years and was then replaced in 1995 by the Pontiac Sunfire...

followed for the 1983 model year, and the Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac Eldorado

The 1953 Eldorado was a special-bodied, low-production convertible . It was the production version of the 1952 El Dorado "Golden Anniversary" concept car, and borrowed bumper bullets from the 1951 GM Le Sabre show car...

& Toyota Celica

Toyota Celica

The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....

followed for 1984. Even though these new factory convertibles were offered by the manufacturer, they were still built as hardtops, then shipped to a coach company for modification into a convertible. The cars were then sent to dealerships by the original manufacturer. Even though the conversion process was the same, because these convertibles were provided to the dealership directly from the car manufacturer, they are considered factory original. In time, the car manufacturers were able to return the actual construction and engineering of some of its convertibles back to the factory. Companies like American Specialty Cars

American Specialty Cars

American Specialty Cars is an automobile supplier of highly engineered and designed roof systems, body systems and other specialty-vehicle systems for the world’s automakers...

continue to build convertibles for manufacturers, both with soft tops and with retractable hard tops. They are responsible for the Toyota Camry Solara

Toyota Camry Solara

This page is about the automobile manufactured by Toyota. For other uses, see Solara The Toyota Camry Solara, also more commonly known as the Toyota Solara, is a mid-size coupe/convertible designed and engineered by Toyota...

convertible and BMW Z3

BMW Z3

The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...

, as well as countless others.

Coachbuilt convertible lives on

Even though the car manufacturers have gotten back into the business of building convertibles, there will always be a market for specialty coach convertibles. Many convertibles have been built to fill a niche in the market. Coach convertibles like the '84-'87 Honda CRX Spyder, '83-'90 Mercedes SEC convertible and the '84-'90 McLaren ASC Capri/Mustang convertible were successful, even while competing in a market full of factory convertibles. Even today, coach builders are able to sell limited numbers of coach convertibles to customers that want something a little different.

List of known coach convertibles

Below, is a complete listing of nearly all cars converted by the U.S. coach convertible industry from the mid-1970s into the 1990s. This list does not include kit car conversions or one-off conversions. All are believed to have been series runs and no ultra-extensive cars are included.

Conversions of Ford products

Lincoln Continental

The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...

Coupe: AHA Manufacturing (1977–1979), Silcco (Ultima, 1977–1979), Hess & Eisenhardt (1977), California Coach (1978)

Lincoln Continental

Lincoln Continental

The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...

Sedan: 4 door (Silcco, 1977–1979)

Lincoln Mark V Coupe: Emess Coach Builders (1977–1978), Global Coach (Lucerne, 1978–1979), American Custom Coach (St Tropez, 1977–1979), Coach Builders Ltd (1977–1978), Hess & Eisenhardt (1978), L'Edition Limite' (Cabriolet, 1977–1979), Bradford Motorcars (Cabriolet, 1978)

Lincoln Mark VI Coupe: Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1983), Carelli Autoworks (1983), American Custom Coach (St Tropez, 1980–1981)

Lincoln Mark VII Coupe: Coach Builders Ltd. (1984–1989)

Lincoln Mark VIII

Lincoln Mark VIII

The Lincoln Mark VIII is a large, rear-wheel drive grand touring luxury coupe built from 1993 to 1998. It was the successor of the Mark VII. The Mark VIII was built at Ford's Wixom, Michigan assembly plant and was based on the FN10 platform, a relative of the MN12 platform which underpinned the...

Coupe: Coach Builders Ltd. (1993–1995)

Lincoln Versailles

Lincoln Versailles

This is about the Lincoln vehicle produced using the Versailles nameplate. For the Ford vehicles sold under the same nameplate, see Ford Versailles...

: Global Coach (1979)

Ford Mustang II: Emess Coach Builders (1977–1978)

Ford Thunderbird

Ford Thunderbird

The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...

: American Custom Coachworks (1977–1979)

Mercury Cougar

Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar is an automobile which was sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1967 to 2002. The name was first used in 1967 and was carried by a diverse series of cars over the next three decades. As is common with Mercury vehicles, the Cougar...

: American Custom Coachworks (1978–1979), Coach Builders Ltd. (1982,1984–1986,1987–1988), Car Craft (1985–1986)

Mercury Capri

Mercury Capri

-First Generation :See also Ford CapriThe Mercury Capri was built in Cologne, Germany, and was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America. The European Capri was first sold in the US in April 1970 and carried the Mercury marque identification as Ford already had a Mustang for the same...

: AHA Manufacturing Lmtd (1979–1983), ASC McLaren (1984–1986, 552 built), Bivouac Industries (1981–1982), Classic Marketing Group (1980)

Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang

: Coach Builders Ltd. (1981–1982), Steas Industries (1981–1982), Bivouac Industries (1982), Convertible Specialists Inc. (1982), National Coach Engineering (1980–1982), Intermeccanica C'abrio (1980–1982), ASC McLaren (2-seat, 1987–1990, 1,806 built), Tomaso (Swift, 1979–1980), American Convertible Corp. (National Coach 1980), Milan Coachbuilders (1980), Elan Convertible Ltd. (1981), Silcco (1980–1981), Barrows Ent. (Compliment, 1981–1982), Grandeur Motor Co (1981), AHA Manufacturing (Pony, 1980–1983), Armbruster/Stageway (1981), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Capital Coachworks (1981), Munich Motor Works (1981), American Pullman (1981), Note: Factory convertibles built by Cars & Concepts started in 1983.

Ford Escort/Mercury Lynx

Mercury Lynx

The Mercury Lynx was a compact car produced by the Ford Motor Company for its Mercury division from 1981 to 1987. It was a rebadged version of the Ford Escort. In 1987, the Lynx was dropped after slumping sales . In 1988, Mercury launched the Tracer as the Lynx's replacement...

: Steas Industries (1981–1982), National Coach Engineering (1981)

Ford EXP

Ford EXP

The Ford EXP and Mercury LN7 were the first two-seaters that Ford offered in 25 years. The coupes shared the wheelbase and mechanicals of the Ford Escort with a longer, more stylish body. It was first shown at the Chicago Auto Show and introduced in April 1981 as an early 1982 model.Comparing the...

: unknown (1982)

Conversions of GM products

Cadillac Seville

The Cadillac Seville is a luxury-type car that was manufactured by the Cadillac division of American automaker General Motors from 1975 to 2004, as a smaller-sized top-of-the-line Cadillac...

(1st Gen) Milan Coachbuilders (1976–1979), Coach Design Group (San Remo, 1978–1979), Carelli (Casino, 1979, 1983), Global Coach (Innsbrook, 1980–1983), American Custom Coachworks (Paris, 1980–1983), Grandeur Motor Co (1979), Auto Classic (in Mexico, 1978)

Cadillac Seville

Cadillac Seville

The Cadillac Seville is a luxury-type car that was manufactured by the Cadillac division of American automaker General Motors from 1975 to 2004, as a smaller-sized top-of-the-line Cadillac...

(2nd Gen) Carelli (Casino, 1983), Global Coach (Innsbrook, 1980–1983), American Custom Coachworks (Paris, 1980–1982), Bradford Motorcars (1981-1982), Grandeur Motor Co. (1982), Coach Builders Limited (1984)

Cadillac DeVille

Cadillac DeVille

The de Ville was originally a trim level and later a model of General Motors' Cadillac marque. The first car to bear the name was the 1949 Coupe de Ville, a prestige trim level of the Series 62 luxury coupe. The last model to be formally known as a de Ville was the 2005 Cadillac Deville, a...

(1977–1984) Hess & Eisenhardt (LeCabriolet, 1978–1983), American Custom Coachworks (Paris 2dr, 1977–1979), American Custom Coachworks (Paris 4dr, 1978–1979), Car Craft (1978), Bradford Motorcars (1978)

Cadillac DeVille

Cadillac DeVille

(1985–1993)/Cadillac Fleetwood

Cadillac Fleetwood

Lawrence P. Fisher was the Fisher brother most closely involved with Cadillac in its early years. In 1916 he joined the Fisher Body Company which had been formed by two of his brothers in 1908. Larry was one of four of the seven Fisher brothers who brought Fisher Body Corporation under the General...

(1989–1992) Car Craft (1986–1991), Coach Builders Limited (1989–1991)

Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac Eldorado

(1977–1978) ASC (1978), Custom Coach Co. (1977-1978)

Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac Eldorado

(1979–1985) Mark Doyne Coach (1981), Coach Builders Lmtd (1981–1983), Armbruster/Stageway (1980–1983), Hess & Eisenhardt (1980–1985), Coach Design Group (San Remo, 1979–1981), Global Coach (Alpine, 1979–1984), American Custom Coachworks (Paris, 1979–1983), National Coach Engineering (1982), Chicago Coachworks (Cabochon, 1983), Grandeur Motor Corp. (1981), Carriage Works (1981), Milan Convertible Co (1979–1985), Steas Industries (1982), American Sunroof Corp./ASC (1979-1983), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Bradford Motorcars 1980-1982. Note: Factory convertibles were built by ASC for the 1984-1985 model years.

Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac Eldorado

(1986–1991) R. Straman Company (1987–1988), Coach Builders Ltd (1989), Car Craft (1986)

Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac Eldorado

(1992–2002) Coach Builders Ltd (1992–2002), Don Massey Cadillac (1997-1998), Quality Craft Ind. (1996)

Buick Riviera

Buick Riviera

Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982, 1996–1997), National Coach Engineering (1982), Armbruster/Stageway (1981), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Steas (1982), Hess & Eisenhardt(1981), West Wind (Magnum, 1980) Note: Factory convertibles were built by ASC for the 1982-1985 model years.

Oldsmobile Toronado

Oldsmobile Toronado

The original Toronado began as a design painting by Oldsmobile stylist David North in 1962. His design, dubbed the "Flame Red Car," was for a compact sports/personal car never intended for production...

Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982, 1988–1990), National Coach Engineering (1982), Hess & Eisenhardt (1982–1985), American Sunroof Corp./ASC (1985), R. Straman Company (1987), Armbruster/Stageway (1981), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Steas (1982)

Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac Firebird

The Pontiac Firebird was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as the automaker's platform-sharing model, the Chevrolet Camaro...

(2nd Gen) National Coach Engineering (1979–1981), Steas Industries (1980–1981), Custom Coachworks (1980), American Convertible Corp. (NCE, 1980–1981), Con-Tec (1981), Elan (1980–1981), Munich Motor Works (1981), American Clout (NCE, 1980–1981), A.H.A. Manufacturing (Pony, 1980-1981)

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang...

(2nd Gen) National Coach Engineering (1979–1981), Steas Industries (1980–1981), Elan (Carizma, 1980–1981), Munich Motor Works (1981), American Clout (NCE, 1980–1981), Con-Tec (1981), American Conv Corp (NCE, 1980–1981), A.H.A. Manufacturing (Pony, 1980-1981)

Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac Firebird

(3rd Gen) National Coach Engineering (1982), Steas Industries (1982), R. Straman Company (1982–1990), Autodyne Corp (1982), Auto Form Corp. (2-seater, 1982–1986), Matrix3 (1984-1985), International Coach (1982–1984), Convertible Concepts Ltd. (by Straman on West Coast or Auto Sunroof Inc on East Coast 1982-1987), John Greenwood (by others,1983–1986), Choo Choo Customs (by others, 1985-1986), Hi-Line Customs (1983–1986), ASC Inc (1986–1989, approx.610 built), Coach Builders Ltd (1982-1983), A.H.A. Manufacturing (1983), California Convertible Co (1984–1989), Coach Conversions (1983-1985), Auto Sunroof Inc, (1983), Griffith (1982-1983), Note: Factory convertibles were built by ASC starting in the 1991 model year and no 1990 ASC convertibles are known to exist.

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro

(3rd Gen) Autodyne Corp (1982), Coach Builders Ltd (1982-1983), American Custom Coachworks (1982–1984), John Greenwood (by others, 1982–1985), Auto Form Corp. (Stilleto, 2-seater, 1982–1987), ascMcLaren Inc. (1985–1986), ASC Inc.(1985-early-1987), ChooChoo (by ASC, 1986), Matrix3 (1984–1986), International Coach (1983–1984), Coach Conversions (1983–1985), Griffith (1984), Convertible Concepts Ltd. (by Straman on West Coast or Auto Sunroof Inc on East Coast 1982-1987), Hi-Line Kustoms (1985), R. Straman (1982–1990), AHA Manufacturing (1983), Buffalo Conversion Corp (1984), California Convertible Co (kit, 1984–1989), Custom Cars of Minnesota (1985), Auto Sunroof Inc. (1983), West Wind (1983) Note: Factory convertibles were built by ASC starting midway through the 1987 model year.

GM A-Body Special (1977 Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac Grand Prix

Picking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...

/Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made two-door coupe introduced for model year 1970, and manufactured over six generations through model year 2007. It was marketed as a personal-luxury coupe through most of its history, with the last model version being classified as a full-sized coupe...

/Buick Regal

Buick Regal

The Buick Regal is a mid-size car introduced by General Motors for the 1973 model year. North American production ended in 2004 and began again in 2011. For the 2011 model year, Buick re-introduced the Regal to the North American market, positioned as an upscale sport sedan...

/Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market. It was always at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and eventually was mechanically divorced from the later, smaller Cutlasses.The Cutlass Supreme...

) Emess Coach (1977)

Oldsmobile Cutlass

Oldsmobile Cutlass

The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a line of automobiles made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate car....

Supreme/Calais Steas Industries (1981–1983), National Coach Engineering (1982), Classic Marketing Group (1980), Classic Group of Companies (1982), Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), Viking Coach (1983-1984), Coachman (1982–1983), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Auto Sunroof Inc. (1983), Texas Ragtops (1983)

Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac Grand Prix

Steas Industries (1981–1982), National Coach Engineering (1982), Classic Group of Companies (1982) Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), Hess & Eisenhardt (1984), Con-Tec (1981–1982), American Custom Coachworks (1983), Auto Sunroof Inc. (1983)

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Steas Industries (1981–1982), National Coach Engineering (1981–1982), Hess & Eisenhardt (1983), Classic Group of Companies (1982), Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), Car Craft (1983), ASC (1983), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Matrix3 (1985–1986), Barrows (1981), Auto Sunroof Inc. (1983), West Wind (Magnum, 1983), Sun Valley Coach (1984), Many conversions were available with a choice of manual or electronically operated top.

Buick Regal

Buick Regal

Steas Industries (1981–1983), Convertible Specialists Inc. (1982), National Coach Engineering (1981–1982), Classic Group of Companies (Tiara, 1981–1982), Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), Coach Conversions Inc. (1981), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Auto Sunroof Inc. (1983)

Oldsmobile 98

Oldsmobile 98

The Oldsmobile 98 was a full-size automobile and the flagship model of the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The name first appeared in 1941 and was used again after American consumer automobile production resumed post-World War II...

Regency Hess & Eisenhardt (1980–1981), Car Craft (1986)

Buick Electra

Buick Electra

The Buick Electra was a full-size premium automobile built by the Buick division of General Motors. The Electra name was used by Buick between 1959 and 1990.- 1959–1960 :...

Park Avenue Hess & Eisenhardt (1980–1981), American Custom Coachworks (1980), Car Craft (1986)

Buick Skylark

Buick Skylark

The Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. The model was made in six production runs. In each run, the car design varied dramatically due to changing technology and tastes, as well as new standards implemented over the years.-1953–1954:Introduced to mark...

Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), American Custom Coachworks (1980-1982), Barrows (Compliment, 1981–1982)

Oldsmobile Omega

Oldsmobile Omega

The Omega was one of 2 more X-body Chevrolet Nova clones introduced in 1973 . Naturally it shared the Nova's body and many of its mechanicals, but it had its own unique nose and tail, and, being an Oldsmobile, it had a little fancier trim than the Nova...

Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), Curtis Campers & Coach (1981–1982), American Custom Coachworks (1980–1982), Barrows (Compliment, 1981–1982)

Pontiac Phoenix

Pontiac Phoenix

In 1980, the Phoenix was downsized and moved to front wheel drive, and was available as 2-door coupe or a 5-door hatchback. The base, LJ, and SJ models were still available for this generation...

Coach Builders Ltd (1981–1982), American Custom Coachworks (1980-1982), Barrows (Compliment, 1981–1982)

Oldsmobile Ciera Hess & Eisenhardt/Car Craft (814 built, 1983–1986), Coach Builders Limited (1982-1983)

Buick Century

Buick Century

Buick Century is the model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of full-size performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, and from 1973 to 2005 for a mid-size car....

Hess & Eisenhardt/Car Craft (124 built, 1984–1986), Coach Builders Limited (1982-1983)

Chevrolet Celebrity

Chevrolet Celebrity

The Chevrolet Celebrity is a mid-size car produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors . The Celebrity was introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year. The Celebrity was the best-selling car in the United States in 1986...

Hess & Eisenhardt/Car Craft (200 built, 1984–1986), Coach Builders Limited (1982-1983)

Pontiac 6000

Pontiac 6000

The Pontiac 6000 was a mid-size car introduced by the Pontiac division of General Motors in 1981 for the 1982 model year, positioned between the smaller Phoenix and the slightly upscale Bonneville...

Hess & Eisenhardt (13 built, 1984–1985), Coach Builders Limited (1982-1983)

Chevrolet Corvette

Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...

Flint Corvettes (by Intermeccanica 1980–1982), American Custom Industries (1979–1981), Greenwood-Duntov (1980–1981), Perfection Auto (1981), California Custom Convertibles (1980), Sports Cars Unlimited (1981)

Chevrolet Cavalier

Chevrolet Cavalier

The Chevrolet Cavalier was a compact automobile produced from 1982 to 2005 by General Motors. Built on the company's J platform, the Cavalier was one of the best-selling cars in the United States throughout its life.- Predecessors :...

/Sunbird/Firenza/Skyhawk Coach Builders Ltd (1982). Note: Factory convertibles for Cavalier/Sunbird: 1983 by ASC in limited numbers, full production for 1984.

Pontiac Fiero

Pontiac Fiero

The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engined sports car that was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1984 to 1988. The Fiero—meaning "proud" in Italian and "wild", "fierce", or "ferocious" in Spanish—was designed by George Milidrag and Hulki Aldikacti as a Pontiac sports car...

Conversion Concepts (Carrozza, sold by Holland Pontiac, 75 built, 1987), California Convertible Co (kit, 1984–1988), L.A. Machine (kit, 1984–1988), Automoda (kit, 1984), Brisa (kit, 1985)

Conversions of Chrysler and AMC products

Chrysler Cordoba

The Chrysler Cordoba was an intermediate personal luxury coupe sold by Chrysler Corporation in North America from 1975-1983. It was the company's first model produced specifically for the personal luxury market and the first Chrysler-branded vehicle that was less than full-size.-History:In the...

Emess Coach Builders (1977), American Custom Coachworks (1977), Global Coach/Innsbrook Manufacturing (1980–1983)

Dodge Charger

Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is an American automobile manufactured by the Dodge division of Chrysler. There have been several different Dodge vehicles, built on three different platforms and sizes, all bearing the Charger nameplate...

American Custom Coachworks (1977)

Dodge Mirada

Dodge Mirada

The Dodge Mirada was a full-sized, rear-wheel drive coupe built from 1980–83, and was one of the three cars based on the Chrysler J platform, the other models being the second generation Chrysler Cordoba and the Imperial, these three vehicles being Chrysler's response to the downsizing of its car...

Global Coach/Innsbrook Manufacturing (1980-1983)

Chrysler Imperial

Chrysler Imperial

The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was the company's top of the range vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, and again from 1990 to 1993. The company tried to position the cars as a prestige marque that would rival Cadillac and Lincoln...

Carelli Autoworks (1983), Global Coach (1981-1983)

Dodge Aries

Dodge Aries

The Dodge Aries is an automobile sold by the Chrysler Corporation from 1981-1989. It replaced the Dodge Aspen as Dodge's family car with "mid-size room" in a size and front-wheel drive format commonly associated with compact cars...

-K/Plymouth Reliant

Plymouth Reliant

The Plymouth Reliant was one of the first two so-called "K-cars" manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation, introduced for the 1981 model year. The Reliant replaced the Plymouth Volaré/Road Runner, which was the short-lived successor automobile to the highly regarded Plymouth Valiant...

-K National Coach Engineering (1981–1982), Grandeur Motor Co(1981–1982), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Steas (1982). Note: Factory convertible for LeBaron & Dodge 400/600 for mid-1982 on, were built by Cars & Concepts.

Dodge Challenger

Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler.The first generation Dodge Challenger was a pony car built from 1970 to 1974, using the Chrysler E platform and sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second...

/Plymouth Sapporo Sparlingco (1981–1982)

Dodge Omni

Dodge Omni

The Dodge Omni and the similar Plymouth Horizon were front wheel drive cars introduced by the Dodge and Plymouth divisions of the Chrysler Corporation in North America in 1978, and were based on a European Simca-based design of the same name...

024/Plymouth Horizon TC3 Classic Group of Companies (1981–1982), AHA Manufacturing (Pony, 1980–1983), Coach Conversions (1983)

Dodge Daytona

Dodge Daytona

The first car that carried the Daytona name was a sporty version of the Studebaker Lark which was produced from 1963 to 1966 with standard bucket seats and available with an optional Studebaker Avanti V8 high-performance engine....

Auto Form Corp. (1985)

AMC Concord

AMC Concord

The AMC Concord is a compact car produced by the American Motors Corporation for the 1978 through 1983 model years. The Concord replaced the AMC Hornet and to some extent the mid-size AMC Matador, discontinued after 1978 in a market moving to downsized automobiles...

/AMC Eagle

AMC Eagle

The AMC Eagle is a compact-sized four-wheel drive passenger vehicle that was produced by American Motors Corporation . The AMC Eagle line of vehicles inaugurated a new product category of "sport-utility" or crossover SUV....

Griffith (Sundancer, 1981–1982)

Conversions of Japanese products (for the U.S. market)

Datsun 280Z/280ZX Steas Industries (1978, 1981–1982), Belvedere Enterprises Inc (1980), Steas Ind. (1981–1982), American Custom Coachworks (1981), Giuliano Motors Ltd (1982), Global Coach (1981), Griffith (1978), National Coach Engineering (1981), Silcco (1981), California Custom Convertibles (1983)

Nissan 300ZX

Nissan 300ZX

The Z31 chassis designation was first introduced in 1983 as a 1984 Nissan/Datsun 300ZX in the US only. The 300ZX, as its predecessors, was known as a Nissan in other parts of the world. This continued in the US until 1985 model year when Nissan standardized their brand name worldwide and dropped...

R. Straman Company (1984–1988,1990–1991), ZMC (1990). Note: Factory convertible was built by ASC for the 1993 model year.

Datsun 200SX Sparlingco (1981–1983), Intermeccanica (1981–1982), American Custom Coachworks (1980–1983), Magic Marketing (Merlin, 1980), Silcco (1981), Steas (1981), Convertible Specialists, Inc (1983)

Toyota Celica

Toyota Celica

The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....

Griffith (Sunchaser, 1980–1981,1982-1983), California Coach Co. (1981), Grandeur Motor Corp. (1980–1981), Sparlingco (1981,1982–1983), American Custom Coachworks (1980–1981), Matrix3 (1983–1984), American Sunroof Corp/ASC (1983), Convertible Specialists (1983), Sunset Coachbuilders (1983), Note: Factory convertibles were built by ASC starting in the 1984 model year.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...

Convertible Specialists Inc. (1982), Sparlingco (1982–1983), American Custom Coach (1982–1983), Matrix3 (1982–1983), Griffith (SunRunner, 1981–1983), Sunset Coachbuilders (1982)

Toyota MR2

Toyota MR2

The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat, mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car produced by Central Motors, a part of Toyota, from 1984 until July 2007 when production stopped in Japan...

Modern Motors (1986–1987)

Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude was a sports coupe produced by Japanese automaker Honda from 1978 until 2001. It replaced the Honda S800, a front-engined, front wheel drive sports car...

National Coach (N.Vancouver, Can, 1981–1982), Solaire (1981–1982), Classic Touch (1981), Con-Tec (1981–1982), Silcco (1981), Steas (1982)

Honda CRX R. Straman Company (1984–1987)

Acura Legend

Acura Legend

The Acura Legend, sold as the Honda Legend outside the U.S., Canada, and parts of China, was a luxury vehicle sold from 1986 to 1995 as both a sedan and coupe. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the Acura nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the Acura 3.5RL. The 3.5RL was North...

Coach Builders Limited (1988-1989)

Acura NSX Newport Engineering (1991)

Mazda RX-7

Mazda RX-7

Series 1 is commonly referred to as the "SA22C" from the first alphanumerics of the vehicle identification number. This series of RX-7 had exposed steel bumpers and a high-mounted indentation-located license plate, called by Werner Buhrer of Road & Track magazine a "Baroque depression."In 1980...

Pacific Avatar (Ultima, 1979–1985), Global Coach (1981–1983)

Mazda 626

Mazda 626

The Mazda 626 is an automobile that was produced by Mazda for the export market. It was based on the Japan-market Mazda Capella. The 626 replaced the 616/618 and RX-2 in 1979 and was sold through 2002, when the new Mazda6 took over as Mazda's large family car...

Coupe Convertible Specialists Inc. (1982), Sunset Coach (1982)

Mitsubishi 3000GT/Dodge Stealth R. Straman Company (1991–1992), Coach Builders Limited (1992). Note: Factory hardtop convertible for 3000GT built in 1995 & 1996 by ASC.

Subaru GL Coupe Steas Industries (1981–1983), Matrix3 (1983-1984), Silcco (1981)

Conversions of European products (for the U.S. market)

Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...

280CE/300CE Coupe Coach Builders Ltd (1982-1991), R. Straman Company (1984–1988, 35 built), Carelli Autoworks (1983), Auto Graphic Design (1981–1982), Automobile Exchange International (1981), American Custom Coachworks (1981), Niko-Michael Coachworks (1979), Note: E320 Cabrio was built by M-B during 1993-1995 for U.S.

Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...

380SEC/500SEC/560SEC Coupe R. Straman Company (1983–1990, 116 built), Coach Builders Lmtd. (1982–1991), Coffman Coachworks (1985–1986), Newport Engineering (1988–1989)

Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...

380 SEL 4door Carelli Autoworks (1983)

Porsche 924

Porsche 924

The Porsche 924 is an automobile produced by Porsche AG of Germany from 1976 to 1988. A two-door, 2+2 coupé, the 924 replaced the 914 as the company's entry-level model, and was the model that finally retired the 912. In production terms, the 924 was the first Porsche model powered by a...

Carelli Autoworks (1983)

Porsche 928

Porsche 928

The Porsche 928 was a sports-GT car sold by Porsche AG of Germany from 1978 to 1995. Originally intended to replace the company's iconic 911, the 928 attempted to combine the power, poise, and handling of a sports car with the refinement, comfort, and equipment of a luxury sedan to create what some...

Carelli Autoworks (1980), ZMC (1991)

Porsche 911

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998...

Coach Builders Lmtd. (1983), Texas Ragtops (1980), SolAire (1982), Note: Porsche offered a conv 911 for '83)

Volvo

Volvo

AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...

Bertone Coupe Silcco (1981), SolAire (1981)

BMW 3-Series Bradford Coachworks (Coach Builders Ltd., 1982–1983)

BMW 6-Series Coach Builders Ltd (1983–1987)

BMW 8-Series Coach Builders Ltd (1992)

Volkswagen New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle

-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:...

R. Straman Company (1998–1999), Newport Convertible Engineering (1999)

Jaguar XJ-S Coach Builders (1983–1988), Creative Coach (1980–1982), California Convertible Co. (kit, 1989), Custom Coach Limited (1984-1988), Note: convertibles built by H&E from 1987–1988 and later models built by Jaguar are considered "factory convertibles".

Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce Motors

Rolls-Royce Motors was created from the de-merger of the Rolls-Royce car business from Rolls-Royce Limited in 1973. The original Rolls-Royce Limited had been nationalised in 1971 due to the financial collapse of the company, caused in part by the development of the RB211 jet engine...

Silver Spirit/Silver Spur Convertible Silcco (1980), Straman (1983–1989), Carelli Autoworks (1983), Automotive Conversions (Mark Doyne, 1987)

Conversions for the European market

Toyota Celica

The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....

Griffith (Sunchaser, 1980–1981,1982)

Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude was a sports coupe produced by Japanese automaker Honda from 1978 until 2001. It replaced the Honda S800, a front-engined, front wheel drive sports car...

Tropic (Germany, 1981–1982)

Current conversions

Cadillac DTS

The Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury sedan produced by General Motors, an American automobile company. The DTS replaced the Cadillac DeVille as General Motors' largest luxury car for the 2006 model year...

/DeVille Coach Builders Limited (2001–2009)

Cadillac CTS

Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size car manufactured by the Cadillac marque of General Motors currently available in three body styles: Sedan, Coupe, and Sport Wagon. It was introduced in 2002 as a sports sedan, replacing the Cadillac Catera. The CTS and the supercharged CTS-V variant have been named...

Coach Builders Limited (2008–2009), Newport Eng. (2003)

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro

Drop-Top Customs (formerly Coach Builders Limited, 2010)

Chrysler 300C

Chrysler 300C

The Chrysler Corporation has used the designation Chrysler 300C to refer to two different vehicles, which are described in separate articles.* The 1957 Chrysler 300C, that year's version of the Chrysler 300 "letter series"; a large, high-performance luxury coupe sold in very limited numbers.* The...

Coach Builders Limited (2006–2011), Newport Convertible Engineering (2005–2009)

Dodge Charger

Dodge Charger

Newport Convertible Engineering (2007–2009)

Dodge Challenger

Dodge Challenger

Drop-Top Customs (formerly Coach Builders Limited, 2009–2011), Newport Convertible Engineering (2008–2011)

Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...

Newport Convertible Engineering (2008–2009)

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota FJ Cruiser

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a retro style SUV with styling and off road performance reminiscent of the original Toyota FJ40 Land Cruisers. Introduced as a concept car at the February 2003 Chicago Auto Show, the FJ Cruiser was green lit after enormous consumer response and debuted at the January 2005...

Newport Convertible Engineering (2007–2009)

Mini Cooper S Newport Convertible Engineering (2002)

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Chrysler PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro styled compact automobile launched by Chrysler as a 5-door hatchback in early 2000 and as a 2-door convertible in early 2005 ....

Newport Convertible Engineering (2002)

Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru.In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities...

Newport Convertible Engineering (2011)

External links

ASCMcLaren.org - ASC McLaren Mustang & Capri Resource
FourEyedPride.com - 1979-1982 Ford Mustang Convertibles
RedPepperRacing.com - 1984-1987 Honda CRX Resource
Rare GM A-body.com - 1983-1986 Olds Ciera/Buick Century/Chevy Celebrity/Pontiac 6000 Message Board
ThirdGen.org - 1983-1986 Chevy Camaro & Pontiac Firebird Convertibles
MonteCarloSS.com - 1980s Monte Carlo Convertibles
Thunderbird Convertibles by ACC - 1978-1979 Ford Thunderbird Convertibles
Fox TBird/Cougar Forums - 1983-1988 Thunderbird and Cougar Convertibles
AMC EagleNest.com - 1981-1982 AMC Eagle Sundancers
MilanRoadster - Seville Milan Roadster Information Page

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