Why not more convertibles?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 269
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Why not more convertibles?
I was reading about the '75 model year and learned the base price of convertibles was $260 LESS than coupes. The optional removable hardtop was $267. So, basically, for $7 bucks you could have a convertible WITH the optional hardtop. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Why would anyone buy the coupe if you could have the best of both worlds for only $7 more?
I don't understand.
????
I don't understand.
????
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,990
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Because in 1975, it wasn't the "best of both worlds." You couldnt give away convertibles then, as evidenced by the fact that Corvette DROPPED them completely in 1976. It was a no-brainer, but the opposite of what you think.
I bought my first Corvette in 1977, and coupes of all types were far more sought after then. I bought a convertible '65 (big block) because it was the CHEAPEST one available at the time.
I bought my first Corvette in 1977, and coupes of all types were far more sought after then. I bought a convertible '65 (big block) because it was the CHEAPEST one available at the time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
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Might of been just a sign of the times. Convertible sales on everything were tanking at the time...
Funny how '63-'75 roadsters have always been worth more than coupes since ain't it?....
Funny how '63-'75 roadsters have always been worth more than coupes since ain't it?....
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
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From: Boiling Springs SC
Also as far as convertibles go, there was a big push to if not outlaw them at least reduce their availability as can be seen by the fact that MFRs' stopped offering a convertible option on all lines of cars (camaros, t-birds, etc..). The vette may have been one of the last cars actually made with the convertible option in 75. I think it may have been an "insurance" thing. My dates are fuzzy, but I think the MFR's didn't even start offering them again to the mid 80's and most of those were outsourced to suppliers and not built in house on the normal assembly lines.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
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From: JOPPA MD
Also as far as convertibles go, there was a big push to if not outlaw them at least reduce their availability as can be seen by the fact that MFRs' stopped offering a convertible option on all lines of cars (camaros, t-birds, etc..). The vette may have been one of the last cars actually made with the convertible option in 75. I think it may have been an "insurance" thing. My dates are fuzzy, but I think the MFR's didn't even start offering them again to the mid 80's and most of those were outsourced to suppliers and not built in house on the normal assembly lines.
There Federal Goverment was trying to outlaw them due to so many roll over's resulting in death(s). They had a huge campaign against all car makers to halt production for this very reason. And they were successful too! Hence, the increased value now, vs a coupe.
Stay in tune...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi B76,
I can only speak for myself.
I bought a coupe because the lift off roof panels and removable window seemed cooler than a convertible. The word was that as much as the coupes leaked, the convertibles leaked more. And finally, the coupe didn't seem to feel like it was flexing as much as the convertible when you drove over railroad tracks.
If I was buying it now I'd buy a convertible.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I'd had 2 convertible Chevrolets a 55 and a 64. I was tired of trying to keep the white tops clean. Top material was very different than it is now.
I can only speak for myself.
I bought a coupe because the lift off roof panels and removable window seemed cooler than a convertible. The word was that as much as the coupes leaked, the convertibles leaked more. And finally, the coupe didn't seem to feel like it was flexing as much as the convertible when you drove over railroad tracks.
If I was buying it now I'd buy a convertible.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I'd had 2 convertible Chevrolets a 55 and a 64. I was tired of trying to keep the white tops clean. Top material was very different than it is now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Hi B76,
I can only speak for myself.
I bought a coupe because the lift off roof panels and removable window seemed cooler than a convertible. The word was that as much as the coupes leaked, the convertibles leaked more. And finally, the coupe didn't seem to feel like it was flexing as much as the convertible when you drove over railroad tracks.
If I was buying it now I'd buy a convertible.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I'd had 2 convertible Chevrolets a 55 and a 64. I was tired of trying to keep the white tops clean. Top material was very different than it is now.
I can only speak for myself.
I bought a coupe because the lift off roof panels and removable window seemed cooler than a convertible. The word was that as much as the coupes leaked, the convertibles leaked more. And finally, the coupe didn't seem to feel like it was flexing as much as the convertible when you drove over railroad tracks.
If I was buying it now I'd buy a convertible.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I'd had 2 convertible Chevrolets a 55 and a 64. I was tired of trying to keep the white tops clean. Top material was very different than it is now.
That shot is at the Loch Raven dam....before they screwed it all up....Right? Back in the day...I remember the "PINES" area for burn out contests on Sunday afternoon in the late 60's and early 70's...then the police ran us all out....Its really neat looking at this photo...with the wooden barrier...I believe it has since been replaced with the metal guard rail. I really have to scan some photo's that I have of this time and this area.
Stay in tune...
Last edited by GREGG-73; Jan 30, 2010 at 10:54 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
I've owned eight '68 thru '72 Corvettes, all coupes, because of the reasons Alan stated above. Great looking style, innovative features such as removable roof panels and rear window. So many combinations available to the driver. I sometimes remove only the rear window, other times just one roof panel, sometimes both panels, sometimes none, sometimes all.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
See my amendment above....I bet I waxed more cars in that same location as your photo...then I really want to remember....not so much remember...just don't want to date myself so much here....
Stay in tune...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
There Federal Goverment was trying to outlaw them due to so many roll over's resulting in death(s). They had a huge campaign against all car makers to halt production for this very reason. And they were successful too! Hence, the increased value now, vs a coupe.
Stay in tune...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Because in 1975, it wasn't the "best of both worlds." You couldnt give away convertibles then, as evidenced by the fact that Corvette DROPPED them completely in 1976. It was a no-brainer, but the opposite of what you think.
I bought my first Corvette in 1977, and coupes of all types were far more sought after then. I bought a convertible '65 (big block) because it was the CHEAPEST one available at the time.
I bought my first Corvette in 1977, and coupes of all types were far more sought after then. I bought a convertible '65 (big block) because it was the CHEAPEST one available at the time.
Well, it's a shame because I think the '74 and '75 convertibles look really cool. Lucky there are still some around though.
Thanks for the info guys. Have a great weekend!
I think I'll wash my car and then do a little shopping with the wife. If we take the car, then she can't buy too much.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: NM
tom...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Rexburg Idaho
The Feds ware looking at a roll over standard that would have done away with any convertible and added a lot of cost to hardtop productions which would have left us with mostly post coupes and sedans. The car companies gave up the convertibles and the Feds gave up the standard.
tom...
tom...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
"T"-tops were 
when they came out in '68. With them as standard equipment, and with a removable rear window, very few folks thought that a fold-down soft top provided any benefit. Even after the rear window was made permanet, the convertible concept was dead [at that time].
when they came out in '68. With them as standard equipment, and with a removable rear window, very few folks thought that a fold-down soft top provided any benefit. Even after the rear window was made permanet, the convertible concept was dead [at that time].
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 84
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From: winchester va
i know where a real nice 75 convertible sitting 26,000 miles auto $20,000. the guy bought it in 76 and he repainted it himself (he was a vette painter) with the orignal orange but change the top to white from black, gm top. looks good but a little dirty from sitting and need bumpers i know the car it is what it is almost bought it, but i bought my 77 L82 instead. the 75 has a old set of goodyear GR70 15 in good condition. dont know i still might buy her
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
If I remember correctly it was simply lack of demand. People just did not want convertibles at that time. You can see that in the Black Book stats for Corvettes but it applied to other model lines (and manufacturers) as well. The last GM convertible was a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. What a land yacht!
