Re: IML: Hardtops and St Regis roofs

[Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Keep in mind that there were only two roof stampings, both of them hardtops
(without a visible B-pillar): one for the 4-door and one for the 2-doors.

The St Regis roof treatment (or the Crown Coupe roof treatment on '74-75
Imperials) is just trim. The full-size-quarter window is there beneath the
vinyl and fixed in place. It has a regulator mechanism (pinned to prevent
window operation) but no power motor or switches. There is no additional
B-pillar, just decorative trim making what is structurally a 2-door hardtop
dressed to look like what would technically be called a 2-door sedan, albeit
a very fancy one!

When you consider that hardtops were about to disappear from the market
(with one exception, Mercedes-Benz coupes) for reasons of safety in side
impacts and rollovers (as well as economy-robbing weight, as hardtops needed
more reinforcement than fully pillared cars to become stiff enough to be
crashworthy), it's kinda funny that a manufacturer would do the opposite by
offering the lower strength of a hardtop with the look of a pillared car. It
wasn't long after that car makers started doing the opposite, concealing the
fixed B-pillar under frameless glass or with gloss-black B-pillar trim.

Chris in LA
78 NYB Salon
67 Crown


On 5/25/06 7:58 AM, Brad Hogg at LuxoLiner@xxxxxxx wrote:

> I believe there was a two door hard top and a two door coupe.  My 74 is a hard
> top.  There were no sedans.
> 
> http://www.newyorkeronline.org/membercars/74-78/bradhogg/74Imperial/index.htm
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: randalpark@xxxxxxx
> Date: Thursday, May 25, 2006 8:51 am
> Subject: Re: IML: '75 Imperial and '76 New Yorker Brougham; was New Imperial
> Opinions Labor of Love?
> 
>> Gee, its a good thing that the word "Southampton" was out of the
>> mix by then. Can you imagine a 1975 Imperial LeBaron Crown Coupe
>> Southampton. It probably never would have been, though, since all
>> Southamptons were two and four door hardtops. Perhaps I should
>> view some pictures before I suggest this, but if I am not
>> mistaken, wouldn't that particular car be more accurately
>> classified as a two door sedan?
>> 
>> Paul W.   
> 
> 
> 
> 
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